Coolant leak??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Coolant leak??
1982 CFI here. Came back from a drive today, put my car on my lift and raise it up, and I see a good amount of liquid dripping from the front passenger side of the car. Looks like coolant based on location, but cant confirm that nor can I confirm the source. I bring the car down and check the coolant reservoir, its level is on the cold line as per usual. What is happening? If it was a coolant leak, shouldn't the coolant levels in the reservoir drop?
Also might be a good time for me to state the behavior of my cooling system. I refilled my coolant to the cold line a while ago and it hasn't moved since. Even while the car is hot and running, the coolant stays at the cold line. My engine temp gauge goes to about 190, occasionally goes to 200 when highway driving but I haven't seen it exceed 200. Oil temp goes to about 190 on highway, drops to maybe 160 in stop and go traffic. Today, behavior was like this as well, I never have seen unusual readings from the engine temp gauge. I know this fluid isnt brake fluid thats leaking, because the reservoirs are still at full. I dont think its power steering either because of location. What could be happening?
Also might be a good time for me to state the behavior of my cooling system. I refilled my coolant to the cold line a while ago and it hasn't moved since. Even while the car is hot and running, the coolant stays at the cold line. My engine temp gauge goes to about 190, occasionally goes to 200 when highway driving but I haven't seen it exceed 200. Oil temp goes to about 190 on highway, drops to maybe 160 in stop and go traffic. Today, behavior was like this as well, I never have seen unusual readings from the engine temp gauge. I know this fluid isnt brake fluid thats leaking, because the reservoirs are still at full. I dont think its power steering either because of location. What could be happening?
Last edited by nitan2k; Mar 8, 2022 at 10:50 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
Is your ac running? condensate?
when cold is radiator full to cap?
heater core leaking?
Radiator cap functioning? If coolant full the cap should allow expansion and draw the coolant back if working.
when cold is radiator full to cap?
heater core leaking?
Radiator cap functioning? If coolant full the cap should allow expansion and draw the coolant back if working.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Ill check all that tommorow. I have a video too but having trouble uploading it.
Also, what do you mean by it should draw coolant back if working?
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,150
Likes: 4,261
From: US-PNW
Feel the liquid between your fingers – slippery? sticky? water-like?
Does it rinse off your fingers with just water? Or is soap required?
Blot it with a white paper towel – what color is it?
What does it smell like – petroleum/oil-like? sweet? nothing?
What is directly above the puddle – the radiator area? mid-point where the steering linkage is? just in front of the footwell? And how far between the oil pan and side of the body?
Does it rinse off your fingers with just water? Or is soap required?
Blot it with a white paper towel – what color is it?
What does it smell like – petroleum/oil-like? sweet? nothing?
What is directly above the puddle – the radiator area? mid-point where the steering linkage is? just in front of the footwell? And how far between the oil pan and side of the body?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Heres a video of it. Ignore the massive oil leak (self lubricating chassis mod). It was hot, and looking at it now that its cooled, I can say with 99% confidence that it is coolant. The dripping is on the passenger side.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,518
From: Virginia
What's the level in the radiator? It should be filled to the tippy-top when cold.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
holy cow that's a lot .. and if coolant and you do not see overflow bottle change stop!
open cap when cold and check level as mentioned above!
pics of cap? more pics the merrier..color of coolant in radiator? match with leak?
a massive leak may not let the cap flow out thus no coolant in bottle..
use water in radiator and find leak , once fixed refill proper coolant
open cap when cold and check level as mentioned above!
pics of cap? more pics the merrier..color of coolant in radiator? match with leak?
a massive leak may not let the cap flow out thus no coolant in bottle..
use water in radiator and find leak , once fixed refill proper coolant
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
@interpon is correct. If your system is reaching operating temp and pressure, the rad cap should open at 15 psi and let fluid into the reservoir. It should also draw fluid FROM the reservoir as it cools. All this requires a sealed system, a dip tube in the coolant reservoir, and all working components. Often, the solution is as simple as a new rad cap. Some caps have a second vacuum valve, some do not. You need one that has it.
What's the level in the radiator? It should be filled to the tippy-top when cold.
What's the level in the radiator? It should be filled to the tippy-top when cold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
not if your leak is not allowing pressure to build...the level should move up as it gets hot (pressure expands in closed loop coolant) pushing into bottle raising level, and when cooling the pick up tube allows the contraction of coolant to draw it back into radiator (as mentioned above 15 psi cap)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
holy cow that's a lot .. and if coolant and you do not see overflow bottle change stop!
open cap when cold and check level as mentioned above!
pics of cap? more pics the merrier..color of coolant in radiator? match with leak?
a massive leak may not let the cap flow out thus no coolant in bottle..
use water in radiator and find leak , once fixed refill proper coolant
open cap when cold and check level as mentioned above!
pics of cap? more pics the merrier..color of coolant in radiator? match with leak?
a massive leak may not let the cap flow out thus no coolant in bottle..
use water in radiator and find leak , once fixed refill proper coolant
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
not if your leak is not allowing pressure to build...the level should move up as it gets hot (pressure expands in closed loop coolant) pushing into bottle raising level, and when cooling the pick up tube allows the contraction of coolant to draw it back into radiator (as mentioned above 15 psi cap)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
not if your leak is not allowing pressure to build...the level should move up as it gets hot (pressure expands in closed loop coolant) pushing into bottle raising level, and when cooling the pick up tube allows the contraction of coolant to draw it back into radiator (as mentioned above 15 psi cap)
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 246
Likes: 165
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,150
Likes: 4,261
From: US-PNW
You may certainly need a new cap and pressure testing, but I don't think that alone is causing the leak. Can you see anything from the topside?
Check the hoses and connections at the water pump and intake manifold; likewise see if the water pump is securely bolted to the block. If all that checks out, I might suspect a cracked water pump housing.
Does the engine run fine – good idle, acceleration, no misses, no white smoke/steam?
Check the hoses and connections at the water pump and intake manifold; likewise see if the water pump is securely bolted to the block. If all that checks out, I might suspect a cracked water pump housing.
Does the engine run fine – good idle, acceleration, no misses, no white smoke/steam?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
You may certainly need a new cap and pressure testing, but I don't think that alone is causing the leak. Can you see anything from the topside?
Check the hoses and connections at the water pump and intake manifold; likewise see if the water pump is securely bolted to the block. If all that checks out, I might suspect a cracked water pump housing.
Does the engine run fine – good idle, acceleration, no misses, no white smoke/steam?
Check the hoses and connections at the water pump and intake manifold; likewise see if the water pump is securely bolted to the block. If all that checks out, I might suspect a cracked water pump housing.
Does the engine run fine – good idle, acceleration, no misses, no white smoke/steam?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
not if your leak is not allowing pressure to build...the level should move up as it gets hot (pressure expands in closed loop coolant) pushing into bottle raising level, and when cooling the pick up tube allows the contraction of coolant to draw it back into radiator (as mentioned above 15 psi cap)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
not if your leak is not allowing pressure to build...the level should move up as it gets hot (pressure expands in closed loop coolant) pushing into bottle raising level, and when cooling the pick up tube allows the contraction of coolant to draw it back into radiator (as mentioned above 15 psi cap)