Help: coolant loss problem

[Zhu]

I have a 96 explorer xlt with an OHV engine on it.It has been experiencing coolant loss for the last several month, not a lot, but I need to top it off like once a month to keep it above the line on the reservior.

I checked underneath the truck and found several drops of coolant dripping through the front of the engine block, but not clear where the leak was. I also noticed that there were sometimes drops of water on the engine oil fill cap, I checked the engine oil using the stick, the level of the oil didn't increase and there were no clear signs that there were water in the oil.

I suspect that my car has an intake manifold gasket leak that causeed the drops of coolant at the front of the engine block and coolant in engine oil that caused the water drops on the oil fill cap. Am I right?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Connect a cooling system pressure tester to the radiator, and pump it up to about 15-18 PSI.

 

[Zhu]

a picture of the leaking coolant underneath the car

 

[Cobraguy]

Check the bottom of the water pump and see if it's coming from the weep hole. Replace the pump if it is.

Check the line between the heads and the block and see if it's seeping from the head gaskets. Mine is...but it's so slight I'm leaving it for now.

You say water on the oil cap...on the INSIDE of the cap?? That is a bad sign. However, condensation in the oil is not abnormal at all. In fact, it is totally normal. But what normally happens is you drive the car and the oil temp gets hot enough to boil off any water in the crankcase and the PCV valve pulls it out. So, if all you do is make short drives that don't heat the oil enough, you can get condensation in the oil. If you have an antifreeze leak in the oil, it will actually turn the oil into a substance that resembles a chocolate milkshake. That is really, really bad and you want to fix anything before it gets that far.

 

[Zhu]

Thank you, Brooklynbay and Cobraguy for your reply! I will check the water pump and head gaskets. If I cannot find anything wrong, i will have it had a coolant system pressure test.

Yes, Cobraguy, the water is on the inside of the oil cap. I made mostly short drives, so I hope it is just normal condensation. The oil does not resemble a chocolate milkshake.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could get the cooling system pressure tester from Autozone's tool loaner program. It will help you identify where the leak is coming from.

 

[mrwhipper]

I would almost bet the water in the cap is condensation. I have not seen that with my Explorer but I do see it with my Dakota and it is condensation with the Dakota.

 

[Cobraguy]

mrwhipper, make good and sure your pcv system is operating correctly. Take the Dakota for a long drive. That should take care of any condensation. You don't want it in your oil. Not only is it not good for the oil, but it combines with oil byproducts to create an acid. Not good.

Also, this is one very good reason to keep at least 180 degree thermostat in the car.

 

[mrwhipper]

mrwhipper, make good and sure your pcv system is operating correctly. Take the Dakota for a long drive. That should take care of any condensation. You don't want it in your oil. Not only is it not good for the oil, but it combines with oil byproducts to create an acid. Not good.

Also, this is one very good reason to keep at least 180 degree thermostat in the car.

Thank you for your concern. I had the same concerns you did when I bought it so I joined a Dakota forum and it appears to be a normal thing by what others are saying.