coolant leaking

[hamper19]

my coolants been leaking and its getting progressively worse. It looks like it is leaking in the middle of the engine though, by the time it drips onto the ground.

I got the oil changed today and took a good look and can't really tell where it is coming from.

What would the worst case scenario be with coolant leaking?

Would it be to just have to replace the radiator/hoses?

I replaced the head gasket with no problems about 8 months ago and it's def not coming from there.

 

[snoborder42]

Seeing how you changed the head gasket recently, did you also change the lower intake gaskets? This same thing happened to mine about a year ago, started as a small leak and got to the point where I was going through about a gallon of coolant every 2 weeks.

 

[86caprirs]

Check intake lower gasket in the rear,check core plugs,check water pump gasket/weep hole.....you may have to pressure up the cooling system to get a better idea.

 

[walterd140]

My radiator had a pinhole in it mid way up. Very hard to find the location because when you drive the air blows the misting coolent everywhere, making it look like it was from the engine. Was finally able to catch it by going through the car wash after running after a long drive (to get the engine hot). Then I looked for the steam trail without the air blowing it around. Might be able to get the coolant hot, then spray the radiator with a garden hose. Shut it off & look for steam.
Walter

 

[kkj911]

I am having the same problem on my 94 Explorer. I go through a gallon about every 2 weeks. There is a very small spot on ground right after shutting motor off, but nothing more than a drop or two. This is a rebuilt Jasper 4.0. Checked freeze plugs and its not going into the oil. If it was burning it wouldnt i be able to see it in the exhaust with it going through a gallon every two weeks?

 

[badgett]

I used to have a 94 with the same little spot of antifreeze everywhere I went. My problem was the radiator. It is aluminum in the middle and plastic on the sides. Where the plastic meets the aluminum is where the leak was. The aluminum has little fingers that clamp onto the plastic. I took some pliers and squeezed the clamps a little tighter. Leak stopped.

 

[hamper19]

I made a mistake, I didn't mean head gasket ( i was thinking of something else at the time). I meant i replaced the thermostat in the front of the engine. Sorry about the mistake.

Sometimes it seems as if its not leaking, then sometimes i'll come out to the truck in the morning and it looks like A LOT came out over night.

How did you get at the radiator to pinch those clips? What do you have to remove?

 

[hamper19]

Check intake lower gasket in the rear,check core plugs,check water pump gasket/weep hole.....you may have to pressure up the cooling system to get a better idea.

I'm not really sure where any of that is, how would i figure it out? I'm not going to ask someone to go into details.

 

[410Fortune]

Coolant system pressure tester, rent one from Autozone, should point you directly to your coolant leak.

Basically you fill the system, hook this pump up and apply 16# or so of pressure to the system. If you have a leak, it will start coming out and you can pinpoint it.

 

[Joe93]

i would check your water pump. it usually leaks more after it sits for awhile after driving. the water pump is what the clutch fan bolts to. look under the pulley and you should see a little hole. thats the weep. hole. Best way to locate is to get a pressure tester and hook it up, like 410 said.

 

[hamper19]

I think i might know where the weep hole is, does it look like a small tube almost? maybe about an inch or so big? and it just ends? Or is that just the hole where excess coolant is able to come out...or is that the same thing?

Sorry about the dumb questions. I do like to try and do things myself though if/when I can.

 

[Rhett]

I think i might know where the weep hole is, does it look like a small tube almost? maybe about an inch or so big? and it just ends? Or is that just the hole where excess coolant is able to come out...or is that the same thing?

Sorry about the dumb questions. I do like to try and do things myself though if/when I can.

The weep hole is not a tube, it's a small hole.

On the Ford water pumps I've seen, the weep hole is a very small hole on the pump itself, on the front of the pump I believe. You might have to peer around the pulley to see it.

Regarding your leak, yes, pressure it up as was said; pay close attention to the thermostat area as that's what was just replaced...

And keep in mind coolant can blow backwards, so the leak could be at the radiator, but then look like it's somewhere further back, because when you're driving it gets blown back.

 

[hamper19]

ok thanks again for the replies. How much would renting one of those run if anyone had to guess? I'm trying to figure out if renting it is worth it, if i am not able to fix it myself when all is said and done. I live with the parents still and we have no garage or anything.

 

[Joe93]

dont know the cost on renting one. You could also ake it to shop and have a Coolant PSI test done. They will tell ya what is leaking. the shop i work at only charges 19.99 to do the Coolant PSI test

 

[410Fortune]

its a $80 deposit, you get it all back when you return it.

If you recently workedon the thermostat Iwould guess this is where your leak is. You must do the install correctly or it will leak. Clean the mating surfaces, use a GOOD sealant and a new O ring on the thermostat.
All 3 bolts must thread properly and be torqued properly, not too tight or you are screwed.

 

[hamper19]

ok it was actually missing one of the bolts now that you mentioned it..when i took it off. It doesn't look like there is any residue near the thermostat though...

 

[410Fortune]

So you only have two bolts on there? residue does not mean much when the fan is blowing on the front of the engine, the drops dont stay there long at all...A small leak will only leak when the system is under the higher pressures, so it depends on temp and RPM.

 

[hamper19]

I just had to redo my whole front brake system basically, so the guy is going to pressure test it this weekend for me for free. I am actually going to post another question about my brakes since I just got them done today, spent 623 bucks, and now they are making noise...