Leaking coolant, where from?
#1
07-06-2012, 05:46 PM
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#2
07-06-2012, 06:26 PM
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Are you positive it's coolant? Not power steering fluid, washer fluid, etc.?
If it is coolant, wipe everything down thats coolant covered, run the truck for a few minutes while you look at where you think it's coming from.
You're gonna need to check just about everything that has to do with the cooling system for leaks; cracked overflow tank, cracked or loose up/low radiator hoses, the weep hole on the water pump, freeze plugs on the engine, cracked radiator (especially where the plastic meets the aluminum) or broken petcock, that little drain valve on the rad.
Even if it's dripping on the drivers side, it could be coming from anywhere...So check everywhere.
If it is coolant, wipe everything down thats coolant covered, run the truck for a few minutes while you look at where you think it's coming from.
You're gonna need to check just about everything that has to do with the cooling system for leaks; cracked overflow tank, cracked or loose up/low radiator hoses, the weep hole on the water pump, freeze plugs on the engine, cracked radiator (especially where the plastic meets the aluminum) or broken petcock, that little drain valve on the rad.
Even if it's dripping on the drivers side, it could be coming from anywhere...So check everywhere.
#4
07-06-2012, 07:13 PM
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Pressure test w/o a pressure tester.
You can do this with the vehicle hot (wear gloves if hot!) or cold. Pinch off the overflow tank hose. Squeeze the upper hose with one hand and the lower hose with the other and watch the coolant flow.
It's not a 100% test, but it has helped me in a pinch several times.
You can do this with the vehicle hot (wear gloves if hot!) or cold. Pinch off the overflow tank hose. Squeeze the upper hose with one hand and the lower hose with the other and watch the coolant flow.
It's not a 100% test, but it has helped me in a pinch several times.
#5
07-06-2012, 08:12 PM
Champion
A common place on the driver's side to also check out is the inlet to the water pump. It's hose that goes to a pipe. Only held in with a small o-ring.
I've had a leak that was quite visible and another where it didn't leak till right after shutdown. Had to get a paper towel to wick it away to verify.
Just another potential source to check out/eliminate.
I've had a leak that was quite visible and another where it didn't leak till right after shutdown. Had to get a paper towel to wick it away to verify.
Just another potential source to check out/eliminate.
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07-06-2012, 10:16 PM
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07-07-2012, 12:18 AM
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07-07-2012, 02:30 AM
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#10
07-07-2012, 09:33 AM
Professional
Check up your sides where metal meets plastic.
I thought that too... but for me it was up higher where the plastic meets the metal that I had a small crack. It began with a small leak, a few drops noticed in the drive each day when I got home from work (engine temp 195), then by the time I decided I needed to do something and gathered the parts, it was pissing enough to find the leak really easy.
I thought that too... but for me it was up higher where the plastic meets the metal that I had a small crack. It began with a small leak, a few drops noticed in the drive each day when I got home from work (engine temp 195), then by the time I decided I needed to do something and gathered the parts, it was pissing enough to find the leak really easy.