HELP - External AntiFreeze leak

[Gigantor]

Well i have a problem, and i cant quite figure it out for the life of me.

Over the past 2 1/2 weeks I have spent some time under the engine looking for where this leak is coming from, while engine is on and while it is off. I never found any sign but id come back from class and id see a puddle of liquid under the engine. I was perplexed until i had the idea tonight on my way home from class to sit under the truck for 10-15 min after i turned it off.

So i did this and FINALLY i find that YUP its leaking... DUH yea i knew this but now i know when its leaking, I just dont have a foggie idea why exactly its leaking which is why ive come here.

Like i said the leak seems to be coming from the front of the engine, only after it has cooled about 10 min will it start to leak.

Im sure im not the 1st person to have this problem... would someone be so kind as to help me )>

Thank you in advance for all your help
-Nick
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[RiverRat]

Pressure test the system but my guess is the water pump if the leak is from the front of the engine.

 

[RobertF]

You're not getting confused with water off the A/C condensor right? It normally takes about 10 minutes to start dripping...

 

[Gigantor]

HHAAHAAA dude your funny, on a night like this i actually deeply appreciate a good laugh!!

water off the AC unit... im in philly it hasnt exactly made it above 70 since this actaully started to leak

but then i looked and saw you were from Cali and that explained it. For me even in the dead heat of the summer id rather stick my arm out the window and feel the wind blowing past my arm.

But just to make you happy im POSITIVE its not water from the AC unit. Ive done more than my fare share of work under, in, and on engines whcih is why i posed the question to the board.


TO those of you who think its the water pump can you explain to me why it will NOT leak if the engine is running or after it has cooled off????

I know on MOST water pumps there is a seepage hole that will point to the internals starting to fail but that would be a constnat leak ESPICALLY when the engine was running due to the flow of fluid inside it. BUT like i said this does NOT leak when its running. NOt at all... go figure...


Anyone else have ideas???

 

[RobertF]

Haha... should've looked at your location first. For me in the dead coldest day of winter the A/C feels like a good idea

 

[Gigantor]

Student needs help from a mechanic...

Just doing this so that it cycles back to the top and to also ask if there are any REAL mechanics out there have any ideas why this would be going on??? ... the leaking as it cools off and NOT while its running or right when you turn it off...

Ive never had a prob like this where i havnt been able to solve it in a few hours, and i dont have the money right now to bring it to a shop....

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated

-Nick
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[410Fortune]

front of engine = waterpump.

there is no weep hole on your waterpump

It could also be a hose or a stuck thermostat, but from what you describe, I am thinking waterpump.

Also these people are trying to help, dont point out the things they say that may be wrong, afterall they are not sitting under your truck with you.

It may be that while the engine is running the fan is blowing the coolant so that it does not drip down the engine block.

If it is a slow enough leak then maybe it takes 10 min for enough coolant to collect and then drip. Also dont forget metal expands when it's hot, so when the engine is warm the leak could be sealed, then it cools off and drips out.
There are many reasons why it would only drip when you let it sit, but who cares, a leak is a leak. If the waterpump is leaking its time to replace it.


capillary action.

get a flashlight, get under there and physically inspect the bottom of the waterpump. Then locate the thermostat housing and look for coolant below it.

The next step is to check the hoses and clamps.

How many miles on the truck?

 

[jar2187]

What about front engine seal? I have an antifreeze leak and my dad(diesel mechanic, I dont think he knows what he is talking about) said that it was coming from there.

 

[a1991owner]

I have gone through 4 Radiators on my '91.

Check the radiator at the crimps between the fins and the tank

My first 2 Radiators had bad crimps in them and leaked when it was hot.

My third Radiator had bad fins and leaked when cold.

My fourth Radiator finally has not leaked.

If you replace your radiator, have your hoses & fan checked and replaced as needed, and I say this because I learned the hard way...

 

[MyExpWork]

I agree with a1991owner.

Check the crimps in the radiator. Mine is currently leaking. Symptons are similar to yours. Look at top of radiator and bottom where core meets...I forgot. Anyways, check there. Mine leaks when cold, and yes sometimes I would notice a small amount after being parked, even overnight. I really notice it when I start truck for a minute or so in morning then turn off.

It doesn't leak very much, so I haven't done anything about it.

Good luck.

B

 

[X-1]

2 places, most likely it is coming from the intake gasket on the passenger side, it will flow behind the t-stat housing down along side the block, tough one to find. And secondly t-stat housing.

 

[stubborn1]

Another idea for something to check would be the freeze plugs on the block.

I had one plug slightly loose that was close to the starter and almost hidden. It took me forever to find the leak because the water didn't drip straight down from there.

 

[Majisto]

Hah I got you all beat for stupidest anti-freeze leak. We just got done replacing the coolant reserve tank in the Taurus after it had a hole in it and coolant seeped through. Can't hurt to check that.

 

[a1991owner]

Lol! Yeah, that would be a very odd place to have a coolant leak, but then again, this is ford, so I guess I can't be too surprised. Gotta love them!