Leak be gone?

[Grandmaster]

I have a pretty fast coolant leak but i cant find it and its driving me crazy. I've parked the car and watched for drips, put something under it and checked later, and i cannot pinpoint where the leak is. I've seen producs that you're supposed to add to the coolant system which "finds the leaks" and plugs them (so i guess it gunks them up). Is this stuff safe? For the life of me i cant find this leak, and its fast, i can fill er up and the light'll be back on in a day. Any suggestions? THANKS!

 

[NKau]

Might be just me, but I don't trust stuff like that. Who knows what else it will "plug up" besides your leak....... better just to take care of the problem the right way.

 

[Grandmaster]

Might be just me, but I don't trust stuff like that. Who knows what else it will "plug up" besides your leak....... better just to take care of the problem the right way.

Any idea how i should go about finding the leak?

 

[NKau]

You say it's a fast leak, and you can't seem to find drips under the car? Might be one of things where it's leaking slowly when parked, but worse when running. After a full day/night of being parked, I would still think you should be able to find some evidence of dripping. Does the coolant level seem to go down a lot faster when driving as opposed to when it's parked?

 

[Grandmaster]

I think it leaks most when running. I can park it and watch and i wont see the leak. But yes, they'll be like a broad damp spot under it whenever i come back out to it. Its like i need to watch it for hours just to see it or something. I've left it running and watched to no avail. Guess i'll try again and just watch until i see something. So is there any other way it would be losing coolant besides a leak, just in case? thanks.

 

[HISSIN50]

trace the cooling system. few places to check: under the water pump (weep hole), around hose clamps, the coolant lines on the TB, heater lines, and heater core (cant really check it, but look for damp carpet or a layer of yuck in the inside of the windshield), thermostat housing and the radiator. there are others, but those are the bigger ones i can think of.

clean the areas up real well. top up the coolant and start it up. look at all the areas you cleaned for leaks (fresh coolant running around). you may need to be under the car, so be careful and all of that.
that is the best i got. they do make dyes you can put in the system. i have not used them.
also i do not like the sealers you describe. they also plug passages, and if you happen to have some air in the system, the stuff will plug the passage where the air is. not good.
this is just my thinking and what i would do. good luck.

 

[10HoleLX]

I have a pretty fast coolant leak but i cant find it and its driving me crazy. I've parked the car and watched for drips, put something under it and checked later, and i cannot pinpoint where the leak is. I've seen producs that you're supposed to add to the coolant system which "finds the leaks" and plugs them (so i guess it gunks them up). Is this stuff safe? For the life of me i cant find this leak, and its fast, i can fill er up and the light'll be back on in a day. Any suggestions? THANKS!

GO to Auto Zone auto parts or equivalent and rent a coolant system pressure tester.

When you pressurize the system with this tool it will cause the leak to show up.

You can test the system when engine is cold or hot.

But of course be carefull when openinng the cap when engine is Hot.

Good Luck

 

[NKau]

GO to Auto Zone auto parts or equivalent and rent a coolant system pressure tester.

When you pressurize the system with this tool it will cause the leak to show up.

I like this man's thinking. HISSIN50 also mentioned some good places to visually inspect. The seal between the thermostat housing on the intake is a really common place that just kind of begins leaking on it's own; you will notice coolant dripping down onto the waterpump if that's the culprit. I would also look at the coolant overflow tank; those can crack, or the hoses running to them can too.

 

[89 Saleen#455]

You can also trace the leak using ultraviolet dye and an Ultraviolet light. Add the dye to the cooling system let the car run for about 5 mins. Turn the lights out in the garage or wait until it gets dark outside (the darker the better). And take the ultra violet light and scan the engine bay for the bright colored dye. Climb under the car and do the same thing there. Tracing a coolant leak using the U/V dye is a breeze! You will also be surprised at how many of your coolant hoses have trace levels of the dye at the very ends. Extremely useful tool! Will also work with Oil leaks and A/C leaks when used with the proper dye.

 

[Look Its Aaron]

Do not rule out a minor busted head gasket.

 

[roush 97]

I had trouble finding mine a couple weeks ago, it turned out to be the weep hole in the water pump. It seemed to leak worst soon after the car was turned off.

 

[Grandmaster]

thanks for all the tips, i'll start checkin it out probably tomorrow.