max, thanks for your info. i talked it over with my brother and my father and everyone seems to think it won't be detrimental to the drive. like i said, the car went a good three to four months before the panel light indicated low coolant since the last flush. i definitely understand that where there is a rubber hose, plus heat, there will be leaking. the mechanic i go to quotes around $140 parts & labor for the job.. seems kinda steep for a plastic overflow reservoir and a rubber hose. i would love to do my repairs myself, but living in an apartment, i can't even change my own oil.. it sucks. this might be something i could do, though. anyway, thanks again!