Daily Driver leaking coolant all over...

1

1973mach1

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Feb 10, 2004

#1

• Feb 10, 2004

• #1

I use a 1994 v6 Mustang as a daily driver and recently I noticed the heat doesn't work most of the time, I added some coolant and it seemed to work for a day or so then stopped working again. Today I see stuff dripping from under the car and realize its water and coolant comming from somewere on the front of the engine I just cant tell were. Its dripping pretty good. I drove to autozone today to get some parts for the 73' and on the way home the temp guage started getting high then suddenly dropped down to cool again. I dont think its the headgaskets they were replaced under 5k miles ago by Ford under recall when they died on me. I hope its nothing serious or my Mach 1 will never get done. Anyone have any guesses what it might be? Water pump maybe? I hope the blocks not cracked. Sorry its not a question about a Classic.

Thanks,
Jim

 

SuperDave

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#2

• Feb 10, 2004

• #2

You can often find the leak by pressurizing the cooling system with a hand pump. Most any radiator shop can do this or you can BUY such a pump from NAPA. Leaks will be evident if pressure is applied.

Could be a simple mattet like a leaking hose or a thermostant gasket or the expansion aka "freeze plugs which aren;t so simple.

 

J

John Z

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Feb 10, 2004

#3

• Feb 10, 2004

• #3

Going from a high temp to a low temp in a hurry is a good indication you have air in the coolant system. Not a suprise since you have an obvious cooling leak. However, the point I wanted to make is take care of this problem NOW! Overheating is a sure way to develop a need for a new engine.

 

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1973mach1

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Feb 10, 2004

#4

• Feb 10, 2004

• #4

Ok thanks guys, I might try throwing on a water pump tommorow and see how that goes.

Thanks,
Jim

 

SuperDave

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#5

• Feb 10, 2004

• #5

1973mach1 said:

Ok thanks guys, I might try throwing on a water pump tommorow and see how that goes.

Thanks,
Jim

Click to expand...

Do as you like, but "throwing on water pump" seems pointless unless the pump is the problem. If the pump is leaking fluid it will normally show where the fan shaft enters the pump housing.

When I was in the parts biz, I loved to sell parts to people experimenting with solutions, Like the DuraCel bunny, they "keep coming, coming, coming............ Oh, the $$$$$$$$$.

 

2nd Mustang

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Feb 10, 2004

#6

• Feb 10, 2004

• #6

SuperDave said:

. If the pump is leaking fluid it will normally show where the fan shaft enters the pump housing.

Click to expand...

Do I hear the "weep hole" explanation about to surface again?

 

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1973mach1

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Feb 11, 2004

#7

• Feb 11, 2004

• #7

Thanks guys. I'll try to get one of those pumps so I can see were its leaking from.


Jim

 

SuperDave

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#8

• Feb 11, 2004

• #8

2nd Mustang said:

Do I hear the "weep hole" explanation about to surface again?

Click to expand...

No, I thought that had been long forgotten but, if cleaned up, it IS appropriate.

 

SuperDave

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#9

• Feb 11, 2004

• #9

1973mach1 said:

Thanks guys. I'll try to get one of those pumps so I can see were its leaking from.


Jim

Click to expand...

Unless you are going to use the pump often, just having the leak found by a radiator shop is less espensive.

 

LMan

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Feb 11, 2004

#10

• Feb 11, 2004

• #10

....so is there an inside joke about the 'weep hole?'

 

2nd Mustang

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Feb 12, 2004

#11

• Feb 12, 2004

• #11

LMan said:

....so is there an inside joke about the 'weep hole?'

Click to expand...

I guess it would be best if SD explained this one, since he originated the idea.

 

SuperDave

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#12

• Feb 12, 2004

• #12

The "weep hole" reference refers to the small hole under the pump housing. It allows coolant to escape if the front pump seal is leaking. Beyond that, I choose NOT to acknowledge the reference implied 2nd Mustang.