Coolant leak.

[Paul Higg]

Can anyone help with this? All of a sudden I have noticed a leak of coolant on my garage floor directly below the cross member. So I jacked it up and looked and cannot find the leak anywhere. I used a mirror to look from the top and from below.

One thing I did notice however was my white coolant overflow tank was empty and the radiator tank low when I just filled them.

I looked and do not have antifreeze on the dipstick. I think I am losing a lot of coolant somehow but do not know from where.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Paul

 

[LVMYVT76]

Alot of times this will be a water pump leak, slowly leaking at first and then getting worse. If you can run the car for awhile and then jack it up and look at the bottom of the water pump for moisture. Good luck.

 

[Paul Higg]

I did just that and the water pump is as dry as a bone.

 

[G Winter]

Did you just have the cooling system drained for any reason? You could have had an air pocket in the system and it did a real nasty burb and dumped enough coolant into the overflow tank to cause it to run out. I have had that happen on other cars.

Glenn

 

[Paul Higg]

Hi Glenn, I did drain a little when I serviced the TB but it was fine for a while. Now all of a sudden this is happening. It is slowly drip, dripping, directly onto the crossmember. I jacked it up and looked and saw fresh antifreeze and saw where it was dripping but not where it was dripping from. I think there has been a massive blowout somewhere but for the life of me I cannot find it. Everything is as dry as a bone but you know how cramped it is in there. Even with a mirror I cannot find the source.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I think a massive "blowout" would have depleted your coolant rapidly and compeltely.

With residue on the front cross member, the most obvious candidate is the water pump, but, if I were face with the same sitch, here's what I'd do:
1) Washt the engine, taking car to cover the distributor.
2) refill the system per the FSM to preclude any air bubbles
3) road test the car
4) after it cools, get it up on jackstands and get under the front of the car and look for leaks. Use an inspection mirror to see places you can see by just looking up.

Look at the water pump, both the bottom of the pump's "snout" where there should be a weep hole and the shaft seal. Look at the gaskets where the pump bolts to the block. Inspect all coolant hoses where they connect to the engine.

With a leak leaving that much residue....you'll eventually find it.

 

[Paul Higg]

Hib, I already did all that you said exactly to a T but I cannot find it. I think what is happening is when I drive it the little leak turns into a big leak enough to not only drain the overflow tank but even some out of the radiator. It seems as if it is worse under pressure. I am afraid to drive it. Like I said, I did every single thing on your list already then am now asking for ideas.

 

[Toms007]

Paul, Autozone and Advance Auto, I believe have a pressure testing device for the coolant system for rent or for you just to use. Sounds like you need to get it pressured up and see if you can find where it's leaking.

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks Tom but even if I do that I do not think I will be able to find the leak because the engine compartment is so crowded.

Paul

 

[Toms007]

Paul, you might be surprised....under pressure, if that is when the problem exists, it should present itself.

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks Ton, I will try it. I have so many appointments coming up however that it will be several days if not a week. I have the MRI on my brain on Monday, another doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and my wife has one on Wednesday. This weekend is out because I have no one to drive me to the auto parts store. I have to get a rental car. This is the only car we have. Right now things are looking pretty grim in our lives. ;help

 

[tonylong]

Do a pressure test before you waste any more time and money. You may be very surprised at the real source of the leak.

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks Tony. I will make sure I do it. Does the FSM cover it? Does it come with instructions?

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hib, I already did all that you said exactly to a T but I cannot find it. I think what is happening is when I drive it the little leak turns into a big leak enough to not only drain the overflow tank but even some out of the radiator.

Very possible because as the engine warms, pressure builds in the system so I agree with "tonylong"...do a pressure test.

I'm sorry that's all I have to offer. I'm sure if I had the car here in the shop I might find something, but sometimes DbI (diagnosis by internet) just isn't very successful.

Good luck.

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks Hib. I really appreciate your advice. I will have to wait to do the pressure test. I will do it and post the results.

Paul

 

[tonylong]

Thanks Tony. I will make sure I do it. Does the FSM cover it? Does it come with instructions?

The FSM does cover it but it's pretty simple to do. You can rent a testes from an auto parts store and it comes with instructions. You may find that the leak originates from a place that you can't easily see (imagine that lol) and if it does plan to lift the car or remove other components in order to see the leak. My long-standing leak (3 years!!) turned out to be in the twisty heater hose that ran behind every damn thing on the right side of the engine. I had a garage do the fix. Hose $55, labor $200. Not having to carry to carry coolant on every trip over half an hour - priceless. haha. I was adding 1-2 quarts of coolant 2-3 times a week at the end.

 

[hotshotzny]

hey man besides all that... good luck with everything else!!

 

[Paul Higg]

Tony, hotshot, thanks. I appreciate it. Yes, I too am carrying AF with me everywhere I go too. 'Cept I might need to tow a 55 gallon drum.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

We're all in suspense! Please reply when you discover the leak . . . good luck!

 

[Paul Higg]

I had a good friend look at it last night and we discovered it is leaking from the passenger's side water pump seal. How bad can it get? Any recommendations? Water pump replacement? Opti and plugs and wires at the same time? Wire and plugs have never been changed and it now has 93K on the clock. Problem is, this is gonna KILL us. We have to choose between foreclosure or car. PLUS, I have my brain MRI today, plus my ex-wife is so hateful of my new wife I can't see my kids, but other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play? If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.

I call my mechanic today, he was in PA for the last week. I KNOW it won't be pretty.

Paul