Strange coolant leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
Strange coolant leak
I noticed a few drops of coolant on the garage floor ,, it doesn't leak a drop when it is warmed up and running ,, just the first start of the day it leaks for maybe 20 seconds and stops.. i'm pretty sure it is coming from the plastic fitting that connects the 2 small hoses that go to the heater core.. Can someone tell me what the fitting is called ,I am going to replace it,, I drove it for 2 hours today and it hasn't leaked a drop..I am goint to try and atach a picture,, also there is a aluminum line ac I think that is wraped with something ,, I'm curious about that too.. Thanks alot for any help.,,Sorry ,,but I think the picture is upside down...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
That plastic fitting looks to me like the water shutoff. The tape looking stuff is insulation tape. It's kind of a tar based tape with rocks in it. Keeps the cold in the A/C and the heat from boiling the liquid Freon back to vapor before the orifice tube.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Cork tape. As TimAT stated it is for insulation. Also check the hose connections at the heater core. The two hoses are the heater hoses and they go down to the heater core connections. As the coolant heats up everything expands and can seal off a small leak. It then can show up again when the coolant cools off. mike...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 423
Likes: 6
Thanks,, what does the water shut off do ?,, I have checked the connections at the heater core,, they are dry,, when it leaks it runs down the frame then drops off.. It seems to start right below the plastic fitting.. But only leaks for maybe 20 or so seconds when it is started cold
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The water shut off is supposed to stop coolant flow thru the heater core anytime the mode selector is in any position other than HEAT or DEFROST. Key word is "supposed to".
As far as the drips, tighten the hose clamps and see if it stops. Cheap plastic valve could have a small crack or one of the hoses could have a bubble in between the liner and the outer covering that fills under pressure and then drains when the pressure goes back down. When it's hot, the pressure goes up- and goes up a little more when you shut the engine off.
As far as the drips, tighten the hose clamps and see if it stops. Cheap plastic valve could have a small crack or one of the hoses could have a bubble in between the liner and the outer covering that fills under pressure and then drains when the pressure goes back down. When it's hot, the pressure goes up- and goes up a little more when you shut the engine off.
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