Internal Coolant Leakage?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Fort Worth Tx
Internal Coolant Leakage?
I just recently replaced the valve stem seals on my 1985 corvette. Put everything back together and drove it around for a while and started to notice it was overheating. I filled up the radiator yesterday then checked it today and it was low again. No signs of coolant on the ground. Any advice would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Well there are tests for the coolant to detect hydrocarbons in it.Good luck your gonna need it.Have you checked your oil for coolant?Anything blowing out the exhaust?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
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From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Are you sure you got all the air out of the system? If you're not seeing any coolant in the oil or dripping out the exhaust, you might just need to burp and pack the coolant system.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Fort Worth Tx
there is no evidence of coolant in the oil or coming out of the exhaust. The fan is not turning on at the right temperature but it still works when I check the ECU for codes. The waterpump works also. I am going to get a pressure tester today and check the radiator for any evidence of leaks. After that, I guess Ill tear into it and change the head gasket.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Fl
Turn on your heater full blast.
Did you take off the heads to do the seals?
If so.. How much antifreeze did you put in to begin with?
How long was this drive?
Did you burp the upper & lower hoses if you did drain & refill?
Did you take off the heads to do the seals?
If so.. How much antifreeze did you put in to begin with?
How long was this drive?
Did you burp the upper & lower hoses if you did drain & refill?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 30
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From: Fort Worth Tx
No I did not take off the heads to change the seals, just the valve cover. The drive is about 12 miles but I only made it about 6 before the temp got too high to continue and turning on the heater did not help. Yes, I did burp the hoses after drain and refill.
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Intermediate
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If you did'nt have o-heat problems before, then it sounds like a classic case of not enough water/coolant. Back to basics. If it runs OK, no exhaust steam, no condensation in oil cap, then hope for the best. Pack it, burp it, and/or force feed water into the radiator cap hole while the engine is warm & running. If it still tries to run warm, spray water through the front of the radiator while the engine is runing, & add more water to the radiator after it settles down. Sometimes you have to play with 'em to get it right. Don't forget fan operation, of course.
Internal combustion leaks will usually result in a very clean spark plug electrode (in the leaking cylinder). I've heard of a sniffer set up of some kind that reads combustion gas in the radiator cap opening, but I've never seen or used one. Again, if no problem before, surely it's a basic problem.
Good Luck.
Internal combustion leaks will usually result in a very clean spark plug electrode (in the leaking cylinder). I've heard of a sniffer set up of some kind that reads combustion gas in the radiator cap opening, but I've never seen or used one. Again, if no problem before, surely it's a basic problem.
Good Luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Internal combustion leaks will usually result in a very clean spark plug electrode (in the leaking cylinder). I've heard of a sniffer set up of some kind that reads combustion gas in the radiator cap opening, but I've never seen or used one. Again, if no problem before, surely it's a basic problem.
Good Luck.[/QUOTE]
I pick up one of those testers on line. Works great. If you need the info on it, drop me a PM.
Good Luck.[/QUOTE]
I pick up one of those testers on line. Works great. If you need the info on it, drop me a PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 30
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From: Fort Worth Tx
Just pressure tested the radiator and it started leaking at about 10lbs. It was definately not doing that before so it could be a result of the overheating in the first place(maybe?). Also heard a hissing sound around the intake manifold when the system was pressurized. Going to pick up a new radiator and see how that works out because the old one is toast.
Could it be overheating as a result of a bad intake manifold gasket?
Could it be overheating as a result of a bad intake manifold gasket?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Started leaking where?A leaky radiator is not usually caused by overheating but the reverse is true.Before you throw money at it make sure what the problem is.The hissing is where? Can you locate it with a mechanics stethoscope.Obviously if the radiator is leaking it needs fixed but it should also drip some fluid somewhere did you find any?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 30
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From: Fort Worth Tx
Just replaced the leaking radiator with a new one but it is still overheating (but the leak is gone). The temperature got up to 230F before i shut it down and the fan never turned on.