C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Coolant leak located

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 04:14 PM
  #1  
NiteriderFRC's Avatar
NiteriderFRC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 108
From: California
Default Coolant leak located

UPDATE on POST #13

Literally snapped pics a minute ago and posting this over the phone.

How serious is this? Havnt noticed any overheating...im assuming I should keep it parked for now lol







Last edited by NiteriderFRC; Dec 14, 2016 at 01:00 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 04:15 PM
  #2  
NiteriderFRC's Avatar
NiteriderFRC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 108
From: California
Default

Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 05:07 PM
  #3  
DGXR's Avatar
DGXR
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
Default

Kinda hard to tell from the pics but that looks like water, not coolant. If that is not coolant, but it's what is in your cooling system, it might explain the leak.

Either way it's likely to be your heater core that is leaking, but I can't say I have ever seen it leaking out the bottom of the box in your engine bay. Check the carpet (and under carpet) in the passenger footwell area - is it wet or damp? That's another sign of a leaking heater core.

My $0.02... you should be OK driving it locally, but keep a jug of coolant in the car and top off the overflow tank/reservoir as needed, when engine is cool. If it is the heater core, get it fixed as soon as you reasonably can and don't take any long trips or you might get stranded. Would be a good idea to flush the cooling system before replacing the core, so the new core doesn't get stuffed with whatever is flushing out of the system.

If it's not the core... I have no idea.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 05:30 PM
  #4  
desertmike1's Avatar
desertmike1
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Default

I'm looking at an oily "Low Pressure Switch" for your Air conditioning system.. is the liquid on the ground Water or antifreeze?
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 05:42 PM
  #5  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Originally Posted by DGXR
Kinda hard to tell from the pics but that looks like water, not coolant.
Condensation from the evaporator.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 06:14 PM
  #6  
antfarmer2's Avatar
antfarmer2
Race Director
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Default

Looks like normal condensation.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 06:46 PM
  #7  
scuba717's Avatar
scuba717
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 7
Default

That would be a lot of condensation...if your reservoir is low it's probably coolant. Easy to tell it will feel oily. If it's the heater core, your windshield will have a film on the inside.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 06:50 PM
  #8  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Guys, coolant from the heater core will leak inside the car. Not in the engine compartment.

Leaking coolant won't leak up hill, onto the AC lines.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 08:25 PM
  #9  
NiteriderFRC's Avatar
NiteriderFRC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 108
From: California
Default

Condensation would be from running the AC correct? Which i have had no need to run at all lately. I didnt have a chance to really get down and dirty to check things thoroughly. Been out all day and just got home. Ill run the car again and analyze further when I can.

Last edited by NiteriderFRC; Dec 6, 2016 at 08:26 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 09:11 PM
  #10  
A Peter C4's Avatar
A Peter C4
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 66
From: Fitzwilliam New Hampshire
Default

Smell or taste sample, is is coolant or water or washer fluid or ? Don't really taste it but identify the fluid.Keep coolant overflow at high mark.You could use dye kit with blacklight to find it but different dyes for oil-coolant.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 09:05 AM
  #11  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Originally Posted by NiteriderFRC
Condensation would be from running the AC correct? Which i have had no need to run at all lately. I didnt have a chance to really get down and dirty to check things thoroughly. Been out all day and just got home. Ill run the car again and analyze further when I can.
Do you ever turn on your defrost? That is AC.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 09:57 AM
  #12  
hcbph's Avatar
hcbph
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 611
From: Minneapolis Mn
Default

If you use something like the yellow/green Prestone antifreeze, check it out with a black light. Leaked fluid fluoresce's under a black light.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 01:00 PM
  #13  
NiteriderFRC's Avatar
NiteriderFRC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 108
From: California
Default

There seems to be no coolant leaks in the cabin or fog/film on the interior side of the windshield. And to top it off the heater works just fine. Is it safe to cross the heater core off the list? And if so where could this leak be springing from?



took the car to work today. Driving home i got on it a bit on the fwy. came home and there was a whiff of coolant I could smell from outside the car. I popped the hood and fresh hot coolant was steaming on the passenger frame rail below the pressure tank.



Last edited by NiteriderFRC; Dec 14, 2016 at 01:02 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 01:06 PM
  #14  
NiteriderFRC's Avatar
NiteriderFRC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 108
From: California
Default

coolant was dripping down from this pipe

Also is it normal to have all that caked up crap all around?


Im going try and source the leak on thursday but if anyone has a general idea of where or what to start with, Should i put leak tracing dye in the cooling system?

Last edited by NiteriderFRC; Dec 14, 2016 at 01:07 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 01:08 PM
  #15  
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Default

Those coolant tanks have been known to crack.
Time to pull the tank and inspect around that general area.
Twist and bend the hoses for signs of cracking.
Maybe a pressure test as well.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 01:12 PM
  #16  
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Default

Originally Posted by NiteriderFRC
Also is it normal to have all that caked up crap all around?
Should i put leak tracing dye in the cooling system?
Caked up CRAP? you referring to the black Dum-dum sealing the upper LP line?

You've got green anti-freeze to point the way to the leak..
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 01:15 PM
  #17  
NiteriderFRC's Avatar
NiteriderFRC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 108
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Caked up CRAP? you referring to the black Dum-dum sealing the upper LP line?

You've got green anti-freeze to point the way to the leak..
96 model. Bought the car with orange dexcool in the pressure tank.

I actually hope its the tank, seems like a straight forward fix!

Last edited by NiteriderFRC; Dec 14, 2016 at 01:26 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Coolant leak located

Old Dec 14, 2016 | 02:40 PM
  #18  
desertmike1's Avatar
desertmike1
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Default

Originally Posted by NiteriderFRC
coolant was dripping down from this pipe

Also is it normal to have all that caked up crap all around?


Im going try and source the leak on thursday but if anyone has a general idea of where or what to start with, Should i put leak tracing dye in the cooling system?
That particular Aluminum pipe is the High Pressure supply line for your A/C [Freon] so no it's not the Source of the Antifreeze leak,, but your getting close, I would heat the system up real good by idling without A/C and use a Bright Flashlight and Mirror to hunt down the leak, this could be a crack in a tank, leaking Heater hose, etc.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 03:05 PM
  #19  
Hot Rod Roy's Avatar
Hot Rod Roy
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Default

Does your '96 have a heater control valve buried down in that tangled web of hoses?

Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 05:04 PM
  #20  
mtwoolford's Avatar
mtwoolford
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
Default

Originally Posted by NiteriderFRC
96 model. Bought the car with orange dexcool in the pressure tank.

I actually hope its the tank, seems like a straight forward fix!
My 96 had a coolant leak in almost the exact same area; one of those heater hoses has a small round check valve spliced into it; the body is plastic / nylon and developed a small crack; I only found it when the crack became large enough to **** a stream of coolant onto the exhaust manifold....I misjudged steam for smoke and thought the engine was on fire !!!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:39 PM.

story-0
10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: 10 Corvettes to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:31:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

Slideshow: Corvette and Porsche 911, how two icons conquered the last 25 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:18:33


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-7
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE