Chasing that secret coolant leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 35
Chasing that secret coolant leak
My car is completely leak free everywhere (whole drivetrain) except 1area.
I routinely find a small spot of antifreeze about the size of a quarter (soaked into newpaper I place under the car). It drips down from somewhere above, lands on the driver sider motor mount and makes its way to the ground.
It is driving me nuts to try to find the source - wether under the car or through the engine compartment, I cannot find where it comes from.
My options:
1. Pressure test the system? How to you do that? Once the leak is found address the gasket/seal?
or
2. Is the Bubba "Stop Leak" product an acceptable way to go? Any potential leaking part/seal is "as new" in the last year.
It seems to me that using this kind of product essentailly deposits asome crud in your cooling system including the radiator and cooling channels in the block. True? Intuitively, this doesn't seem desireable.
I routinely find a small spot of antifreeze about the size of a quarter (soaked into newpaper I place under the car). It drips down from somewhere above, lands on the driver sider motor mount and makes its way to the ground.
It is driving me nuts to try to find the source - wether under the car or through the engine compartment, I cannot find where it comes from.
My options:
1. Pressure test the system? How to you do that? Once the leak is found address the gasket/seal?
or
2. Is the Bubba "Stop Leak" product an acceptable way to go? Any potential leaking part/seal is "as new" in the last year.
It seems to me that using this kind of product essentailly deposits asome crud in your cooling system including the radiator and cooling channels in the block. True? Intuitively, this doesn't seem desireable.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
Originally Posted by crw41
My car is completely leak free everywhere (whole drivetrain) except 1area.
I routinely find a small spot of antifreeze about the size of a quarter (soaked into newpaper I place under the car). It drips down from somewhere above, lands on the driver sider motor mount and makes its way to the ground.
It is driving me nuts to try to find the source - wether under the car or through the engine compartment, I cannot find where it comes from.
I routinely find a small spot of antifreeze about the size of a quarter (soaked into newpaper I place under the car). It drips down from somewhere above, lands on the driver sider motor mount and makes its way to the ground.
It is driving me nuts to try to find the source - wether under the car or through the engine compartment, I cannot find where it comes from.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 35
FYI (It should have occurred to me)
When people drink antifreeze (yes they really do).
At some point, usually after they are on a ventilator and have a foley catheter, if you turn off the light and shine a black light on their urine it will glow in the dark. simple and easy toxicology test.
When people drink antifreeze (yes they really do).
At some point, usually after they are on a ventilator and have a foley catheter, if you turn off the light and shine a black light on their urine it will glow in the dark. simple and easy toxicology test.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 3
From: RDU Triangle, NC
Finding Elusive Coolant Leaks
crw41 - I highly recommend a cooling system pressure tester. You can buy one at a car parts store.....NAPA, etc, etc. I bought mine a few years ago and if memory serves, it was a little under $100.
This may sound like a lot, but my experience is it will help find leaks fast and accurately, and unless you never plan to work on another car's cooling system, should serve for many years. I'll admit it took me almost 30 years of working on my cars before I "bit the bullet" and bought mine, but it's allowed me to quickly pinpoint small leaks on two different cars. You could also justify the cost if you imagine it might save you from unnessarily replacing a good part.....
You simply attach the tester in place of the radiator cap and pump by hand to pressurize the system. Then inspect for the source of the leak.
The big advantage is the fluid from a small leak is not vaporized on hot surfaces of the engine before you can see where it's coming from.
Best Regards,
Bob S.
This may sound like a lot, but my experience is it will help find leaks fast and accurately, and unless you never plan to work on another car's cooling system, should serve for many years. I'll admit it took me almost 30 years of working on my cars before I "bit the bullet" and bought mine, but it's allowed me to quickly pinpoint small leaks on two different cars. You could also justify the cost if you imagine it might save you from unnessarily replacing a good part.....
You simply attach the tester in place of the radiator cap and pump by hand to pressurize the system. Then inspect for the source of the leak.
The big advantage is the fluid from a small leak is not vaporized on hot surfaces of the engine before you can see where it's coming from.
Best Regards,
Bob S.
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