Checking for coolant leaks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
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From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 2
From: The Villages FL
Dale, If you are not seeing a loss of coolant in the surge tank when cold then I should think there is not an internal leak. I also do not think that sodium is a componant of Dexcool. To check, Google Dexcool MSDS and make some phone calls before you get too involved. Good luck Bill S.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Thanks for looking that up!
Now we know the coolant is actually a possibility. Given the amount they are seeing in the sample, it would have to be an incredibly small leak - if it even exists, at all. I'll have to wait until the weekend to give everyone's suggestions a try. I'll report back what I find.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Well, I used a radiator bypass plug and a hose clamp to block off the overflow and was able to pump it up to 19psi. I let it sit overnight (~15hrs) and it lost 1psi. Not surprisingly, there was no noticeable loss of coolant from the reservoir. Given that I'm using a rental tester and adapter with an unknown history, I can't say this test is conclusive.
New plan it is to try to keep it pumped up to 18psi for the next few days and monitor the coolant level. I made a new mark on the reservoir at the pressurized level for reference.
New plan it is to try to keep it pumped up to 18psi for the next few days and monitor the coolant level. I made a new mark on the reservoir at the pressurized level for reference.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
I'm back. After sitting for 4 days at ~18psi, I only found one very small seep (maybe a teaspoon) from the lower hose on the reservoir. No milkshake oil, no plume of white smoke on startup, no burning coolant smell and no significant coolant loss apart from the seep. I'm done with this exercise but I may give the lab a call if I get some free time this week to see if they have anything interesting to say.
