Mystery coolant leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
Mystery coolant leak
I guess it's not so much a mystery as much as I just can't locaate its source. I have a coolant leak that drips onto the garage floor back near the oil pan. I have recently pulled the radiator and had a small leak repaired and replaced it. Pulled the water pump to paint it, reinstalled with new gaskets. I've checked both top and bottom radiator hoses, dry at both ends. Heater core hose dry at the manifold and where it enters the core. Thermostat housing is also tight and seems dry. I realize this leak could be happening further up in the engine bay and running back to where the oil pan is before dripping. Any ideas before I break down and take it to a shop?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,625
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From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Agreed with the pressure tester , they are cheap and work well easy to use. Agreed with Paul also have a look at the manifold bolts ,thermostat,water pump, take a small mirror and look under the water pump for a small hole , right under the collar for the shaft.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
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From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I'd put money on it that it's leaking from the weep hole under the pump shaft if it's on the front of the engine. Or the bypass hose on a big block. Or around the hose nipple for the heater hose. Or somewhere else.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
I had a drip that was dripping onto the starter.
Water passage(actually blockoff) at the rear of the intake manifold.
Tightening the bolt didn't help, new gaskets.
In my past searches for Vettes I saw a couple that had a water drip in that area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I'm sorry, I read this post, and I just couldn't resist razzin' ya!
Still need a little more specific info on where the leak is coming from. When I'm trying to track down a leak, I like to clean the suspected area really well, and then spray the area with aerosol foot powder spray till it's white as snow. Any leaks will then jump right out at you, because of the contrast. Works great.
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
The drip is at the front of the oil pan. Without a lift it's a pia to try to see where this thing is originating from. I also thought it could be a freeze plug. I'll have to do some more snooping and see if I can narrow it down.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
Or somewhere else. Really going out on a limb, there, huh?
I'm sorry, I read this post, and I just couldn't resist razzin' ya!
Still need a little more specific info on where the leak is coming from. When I'm trying to track down a leak, I like to clean the suspected area really well, and then spray the area with aerosol foot powder spray till it's white as snow. Any leaks will then jump right out at you, because of the contrast. Works great.
Scott
I'm sorry, I read this post, and I just couldn't resist razzin' ya!
Still need a little more specific info on where the leak is coming from. When I'm trying to track down a leak, I like to clean the suspected area really well, and then spray the area with aerosol foot powder spray till it's white as snow. Any leaks will then jump right out at you, because of the contrast. Works great.
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Or somewhere else. Really going out on a limb, there, huh?
I'm sorry, I read this post, and I just couldn't resist razzin' ya!
Still need a little more specific info on where the leak is coming from. When I'm trying to track down a leak, I like to clean the suspected area really well, and then spray the area with aerosol foot powder spray till it's white as snow. Any leaks will then jump right out at you, because of the contrast. Works great.
Scott
I'm sorry, I read this post, and I just couldn't resist razzin' ya!
Still need a little more specific info on where the leak is coming from. When I'm trying to track down a leak, I like to clean the suspected area really well, and then spray the area with aerosol foot powder spray till it's white as snow. Any leaks will then jump right out at you, because of the contrast. Works great.
Scott
We're having far too much fun at the OP's expense. Seriously, I agree that it is probably a leaky water pump. I'd check that first.Kim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
I can't find any signs of leakage around the water pump. I do see coolant around some of the intake bolts though.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I mentioned that above. Have seen it on several occasions. Remove the offending bolts (one by one), clean thoroughly, and re-install with a non-hardening sealant such as Permatex (I use Ultra-Black).
