Coolant Leak 97 Mountaineer 302 V8

[shhnappa]

Hi Guys,

New here, did some searching and couldn't come up with anything so I figured I'd throw this out there. I've got a 1997 Mountaineer 302 V8 with 110,000 and just noticed a few drops of coolant on the oil filter (L/S of eng.)and a few on the ground. I could see no trail from the topside, so I climbed under and still cannot see the source, but there was a trail coming down the waterpump lower hose casting, onto the lower rad hose. I pressure tested the system up 17lbs. of pressure, 1 more pound than the system rating, and no leak, it dropped to 2lbs after 4-5 minutes. I cleaned everything off and drove her up to operating temp and rechecked, still dry. So, any ideas?

 

[shhnappa]

anyone?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Could be your water pump starting to go. There is a little hole on the bottom of the pump. When the seal strats to go it will leak out of the hole.

Since the thermostat is closed when cold a preasure test would not cause it to show up since the water pump is aft of the t-stat.

 

[shhnappa]

Could be your water pump starting to go. There is a little hole on the bottom of the pump. When the seal strats to go it will leak out of the hole.

Since the thermostat is closed when cold a preasure test would not cause it to show up since the water pump is aft of the t-stat.

Dan,

Even though the t-stat is closed, wouldn't the waterpump still get pressure from the tester from the lower rad hose end of the pump?

 

[BigLumber]

I had a drip for a long time. Never did a pressure test. Found out when it opened up one day it was the bypass hose. The hose between the intake/thermostat housing and the water pump?. 9 dollar part from the dealer. Replace it anytime you are in that far.

 

[shhnappa]

I had a drip for a long time. Never did a pressure test. Found out when it opened up one day it was the bypass hose. The hose between the intake/thermostat housing and the water pump?. 9 dollar part from the dealer. Replace it anytime you are in that far.

BL,

Thanks for the good advice. Apparently that was replaced recently, I purchased this vehicle used about 1000 miles ago. It's been two days since I pressure tested it, and cleaned off the hoses, still no leak. I first noticed it after the truck had been sitting for about 5 days. Is it possible to have it leak when cold and sitting, then once I started driving again, it seals up? Kinda strange, but could it be possible.

 

[NHale623]

Yes, it's very possible. Metal heats up, expands, seals leak...

 

[98 sport]

The small bypass hose was replaced already? Did they replace the water pump? If so it could be something as dumb as the lower hose to the water pump connection is not go and tight, or they screwed up putting the water pump on.