Coolant leak

[Marccus]

OK, I'll try my best to explain this. I replaced the thermostat and the gaskets, and short rubber connector piece that connects the two halves of the engine cooling system.

There is a central pipe that runs underneath the fuel rails that has an O-ring on it and I replaced that also. When I bolted in the flanged pieces that are connected by the short rubber piece (which is held on by a spring type clamp) I get an intermittant leak of coolant.

I'll be at a red light and I'll see a little smoke come out of the hood with a coolant smell. When I pop the hood, I can see a little coolant on the bell housing but I can't see exactly where it is leaking from. It's not leaking from the coolant lines on the throttle body.

It's difficult to see way in there even with a flashlight. I also get a puff of smoke from coolant at the camshaft seal end right under the fuel rails. That would be where that central pipe runs and ends with another O-ring.

The spring clamp holding on the rubber connector seems like it would be better rplaced by two worm gear clamps (like ABA).

Any ideas? shrug

 

[projectSHO89]

I just got finished a couple hours ago replacing that coolant housing assembly.

Here's a tip to locate your leaks: Go to AutoZone, get an AZ9300 Pressure Tester. $75 refundable when you bring it back. Hook it up in place of your radiator cap and pump up pressure in your system. I found and fixed 3 small leaks with it in the space of 10 minutes. When you are sure you have everything fixed, pump it to 16 psi and see if it holds pressure.
Believe me, it's a lot easier to check a pressurized cold system than a system at operating temperature.

Yeah, the spring clamps suck. A screw clamp is way more reliable.

The crossover tube you refer to goes into the outlet of the water pump, directly under the front of the fuel rail. It also has an O-ring that seals that junction, just like the junction at the coolant outlet assembly has.

Get the pressure tester, it will make life a lot easier. A flashlight and an inspection mirror will help. With the engine off, I could HEAR the leaks since I still had some air in the system.

Steve

<small>[ December 01, 2002, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[SHOZ123]

Yeah, the spring clamps suck.

Aren't those the ones you throw away after taking them off once?

 

[cRaZySHO.]

For a while I had a coolant leak, and couldn't figure out from where. Take off your upper rad. hose, and use some Rector Seal on it, and make sure to tighten up that clamp all the way. I had the same symptoms as you. Replaced some coolant hoses, and no leakes at first, then all of sudden, slow(1 quart per week.), I would lose coolant. I could smell it, but not see it any where, but on the ground next to my drivers side tire. I too had a small puddle on my tranny.

 

[projectSHO89]

There are at least a dozen likely spots for a leak to occur on the driver's side of the engine. Do yourself a favor and TEST to find the leaks.

Steve

 

[Marccus]

OK, Thanks everybody. I'll get the pressure tester and look for leaks that way. I'm losing coolant slowly - about the 1/2 the fill reservoir amount in a couple of weeks.

Also, I noticed if I used ARP thread sealant, which is a high temperature non-hardening teflon paste, for ANY threaded fastener in hydraulic service or for gaskets in the cooling system, NOTHING leaks. I should have used this stuff when I put the flanges back on.

I used it on the thermostat housing when it leaked and it never leaked again. Great stuff by ARP/ Check out their products.
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