I noticed some coolant under the car today after driving it around town last week. Not a lot (estimating 4-8 oz), but enough to cause me to want to investigate. It's aligned with the side view mirors so I want to pull the underbody panel to get a good look.

It seems like the forward panel has some nuts holding it like the rest, but also has some steel clips. Does this panel just "pop" off, meaning that once the nuts are undone and the clips are the only thing holding it on, do I just pull on the panel to pop them or is there some other technique?? And when putting it back on do they just press fit back on? Seems easier, but I hate pulling hard on plastic parts.

Thanks in advance

 

the panels interlock rear to front. you can bend the panel to get it back in but its designed to stay in place unless the other panels are removed. look for a tab on each side of the metal clip. squeeze them and remove the clips.

 

Just pry the metal clips on the side with a screwdriver. All the clips have to be remove before removing the panel...

 

... and the clips can snap/break given the chance.

welcome to your first radiator leak. i just replaced mine; right front.

 

Not sure it's one of the front radiators. They usually leak in front of the wheel wells, but fluid does travel, so we shall see.

If it is a radiator, it would be my second. My left front split a seam at 155 mph on the back straight of Watkins Glen, covering my windshield and tires with antifreeze. Slippery stuff. Thank god for the run off at the bus stop.

 

well, if ya gotta blow a rad, i guess that's the way to do it.. nice recovery! and yes, mine was leaking down the wheel well/liner. it was readily apparent, the source of the leak