Sometimes, and never regularly, I see some coolant has dripped from the bottom of my timing chain cover/ oil pan gasket.
I've got double clamps on every hose, everywhere. They are all tight. I've never been able to see any wet area, only areas that might have been wet then dried by the time I noticed a couple drips under the Van. Those areas are everything under the CTS and tstat housing, and the closest intake manifold bolts.
For a while I thought it only dripped when I was using the heater, but have ruled out that scenario, though it might possibly be more prevalent when using the heater.
I think the only time it is more likely to leak is after it has been shut off for many hours and cooled respectively. I can only remember 1 time seeing a few drops when it sat for only 15 minutes when running an errand.
It is a very slow leak, and I have not had to add any coolant for over 10 weeks now, and the last time it took only a half pint in the radiator. Every time I've been determined to find the leak, flashlight and mirrors in hand, doghouse removed, it does not leak.
It's effing with me.
Any Ideas?
alloro
05-08-2009, 02:04 AM
I think the only time it is more likely to leak is after it has been shut off for many hours and cooled respectively.
Well that would make sense. After a long cool down period you will get more expansion on the next engine warm up. The cooler everything is to start with, the greater the pressure is after full warm up. Since the pressure is greater, so is the likelihood of the leak rearing it's ugly head.
As far as where the leak is coming from, my first guess would be that rather elusive weep hole around the bottom of the water pump housing. Coolant that leaks from this hole can land on the inside of the water pump pulley and get slung many places where there is no leak. This of course has the unfortunate result of fooling you into looking for the leak in all the wrong places.
landyacht318
05-08-2009, 04:05 AM
Alloro,
What you typed makes great sense, I gotta say I never looked at the weep hole on the pump.
The leak is only noticeable after it has sat and cooled. If I shut it off from full temp and wait for a leak, nothing happens. 4 hours later I'll notice that there has been dripping going on, but only sometimes. Perhaps whatever is getting slung by the fan pulley is evaporating on the warm engine and only reaching the ground after the engine has cooled off enough.
Is it likely that it is only weeping after cooling down?
I didn't think I was losing any coolant while the engine is running. After A long drive I don't notice any more coolant loss than shorter drives but I can't say I've done over 50 miles in a day in a long time. It seems more related to the number of hot cold cycles.
If indeed it is the pump weeping and leaking, Should I start beginning to think about proceeding to get ready to contemplate the process where I then might possibly begin to seriously think about replacing it? :SPIN::SPIN::SPIN::crazy: Or just buy one and keep it handy in case the decision is made for me at an inopportune moment?
alloro
05-08-2009, 11:01 AM
First you should look at the weep hole and see if there are traces of any leaking. If there isn't, then there's no reason to start beginning to think about proceeding to get ready to contemplate the process where you then might possibly begin to seriously think about replacing it.
A bright light and one of those little telescoping mirrors can get a view of it. Worse case is you'll have to remove the belt, fan, and pulley to get a good view of it.
alloro
05-08-2009, 11:06 AM
If I shut it off from full temp and wait for a leak, nothing happens.
Naturally there will be no leaks as things cool down. During the cool down period, the coolant is contracting and creating a vacuum, so to speak. This is the same process that sucks coolant out of the overflow bottle into the radiator. In the absents of any positive pressure, no coolant is being forced out the leak, although air could be getting drawn into it.
VanMoreSon
05-08-2009, 11:43 AM
How about one of those cooling system pressure testers? Have access to one of those?
landyacht318
05-08-2009, 01:45 PM
How about one of those cooling system pressure testers? Have access to one of those?
I do not, but I do remember being able to see the weep hole If I climb underneath, and will do so the next time I see that it has been dripping.
Thanks for the input.
lilredex
05-09-2009, 02:04 PM
Lay a clean piece of cardboard under the engine and leave it overnight. You'll get a good idea of where to look if you see spots on the cardboard. Then get out your light and mirror, as previously suggested, and have good look. If it is coming from the pump's weep hole you will see a trail. Doubt it though, my guess is the timing cover gasket. check all the bolts in that area. Coolant is most likely to weep after things cool down, like overnight. When the engine is running everything is hot and tightens up the leaks. At least that is my experience.........have an '89 B150 (318) that is doing the same thing, about 10 to 20 drops [B]SOME[B] nights.
citichap
05-16-2009, 02:59 PM
Looks like your water pump is going bad. I had the same thing happen to me. I only buy "NEW" GMB brand water pumps. They are made in Japan and are very good. If your engine has a Factory Air pump on it, then you might be able to use GMB part # 120-1070 from WWW.Summitracing.com While you are in there, you should also replace all hoses, thermostat, etc.
Also look at the Serpentine belt as well. If it has small cracks in it, replace it with a Goodyear's "GatorBack" Belt. They are the best !!!!!!!!!! Good Luck
Citichap
GreyWolfNM
07-06-2009, 06:15 PM
Hello All. Have experienced the exact same problem for the past several weeks. Water pump seal was leaking just a little bit for weeks; then came the torrent or coolant.
Replaced the water pump which resolved the slow leak, but....
Yet another leak sprung to life within two weeks. lilredex is right on the nose with this leak -- had to remove the alternator to find out the timing chain cover gasket was now leaking. Time to replace that now. Helpful hint: if you are going to all the work of changing out your water pump, might as well change out the timing chain cover gasket while you are at it -- the pump sits in front of the tc cover and you might as well do both while you have access. Just a thought, but I wiish I had done so.
My slow leak experience turned into multiple large leaks quickly -- hope you don't wait as long as I did to fix yours.:o
alloro
07-07-2009, 01:19 AM
Did you check your oil to make sure that there wasn't any coolant in it?
Dennis/Ohio
07-07-2009, 05:46 AM
As far as where the leak is coming from, my first guess would be that rather elusive weep hole around the bottom of the water pump housing.[/QUOTE]
Over the years I've had many water pumps weep only when pressure was low & engine cold. Running the engine or Pressure testing would seal the leak. I'm assuming the way the seal is made, it tends to seal tighter with pressure. I've seen same type of seal in my air conditioning compressor and in my house well pump. I'll guess its the bellows that leak. The carbon and ceramic disc's have always looked fine to me.
Dennis.....
