Hunting Down Coolant Leak?!

[wrachet]

Well, I'm probably going to have to start driving the Bronco (Redneck Van Lines...boy I have a story on that one) that I'm trying to sell as a daily driver until I can get the clutch in my car fixed. I've been babying the clutch for awhile and I think it's almost completely gone (doesn't like to start and this morning it didn't want to move there for a bit). So, it's off to find out why the Bronco is using antifreeze and where the heck it is going.

There aren't any leaks in the radiatory that I can tell or anywhere else. No dripping when I add fluid.

City driving it will start overheating sooner than highway. I know there is a heater hose that needs to be replaced (simple problem...but don't necessarily believe this is the cause of the overheating).

So ideas on what to start with???

Colleen

 

[Seabronc]

Hey Colleen !

No white smoke right?

The heater hose could be the cause of the missing fluid. On most Fords, the coolant circulates thru the heater all the time including when you have the heat off. The heat control only operates a flapper door. One way the air is directed thru the heater core and the other way it bypasses it.

Another possibility is a high pressure leak in a hose that has a pin hole. Do you ever find coolant on the ground?

As far as overheating, here are some things:

1. Radiator is old and getting clogged, have you tried flushing the system? There may be a lot of old crap built up in the engine and radiator making the cooling system inefficient. I was amazed when I flushed mine a year ago at how much crap was in it. Get a Prestone kit and flush it. If a lot of crap comes out the first time, consider doing it a second time. Instructions are on the kit.

2. Is the fan schroud installed? If not, the fan doesn't draw enough air thru the radiator.

3. You may need a larger radiator. I have a Heavy Duty 3 core one in mine. It is for a truck with A/C but mine only has 560 Air, (all windows open and 60 MPH).

The problem with city driving is that is when the cooling system is least effective so if the system has any problems, that is one place it will show up.

Good luck,

>-

 

[bluesman17]

Water pump could be getting weak too

 

[mbtech2003]

3. You may need a larger radiator.  I have a Heavy Duty 3 core one in mine.  It is for a truck with A/C but mine only has 560 Air, (all windows open and 60 MPH). 

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nice seabronc i like that

 

[wrachet]

Hey Colleen !
No white smoke right?

The heater hose could be the cause of the missing fluid.

 

[Justshootme84]

Wratchet, I sent you a PM about the coolant leak. Check the "weep"hole on the water pump for that rusty trail. If the motor is overheating, the pump may not be working, the thermostat may be stuck, or like Seabronc stated the radiator is clogged. I have a heavy-duty radiator from an F-250 in my 84.

THe white smoke is not a good sign, IMO. I think if a head gasket was blown, you would see white smoke all of the time. Normal blow-by of oil at start-up can cause a brief puff or two of blue smoke that goes away. BUt if that smoke is white, it's likely to be coolant.

Check the antifreeze for oil, as the oil will float on top. Drain the oil and check it for water. Since the water settles to the bottom, it will come out first when you pull the drain plug from the pan. Water plus oil looks like chocolate milk, or has light and dark streaks. It also makes the oil very thick.

As a final thought, you may be just loosing coolant thru the radiator overflow when the motor gets hot. IF you're driving around, you'll miss seeing it as it blows under the rig.

 

[Seabronc]

) nice seabronc i like that

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Glad you like that. It is definately an option and quite possible and often used in hot climates. The one I have is about 6 inches longer than the stock radiator and has 3 cores vs 2. It definately a good choice when running in hot climates. It is possible to get a 4 core radiator as well.

Wratchet's problem is more likely a weaknes in the cooling system caused by crap or wear and as Bluesman17 said, it could also be the water pump, which I left off my list. If it is overheating with the outside temp less than 85 - 90, a larger radiator may be a bandaid rather than a cure.

>-

 

[wrachet]

Thanks everyone.

I'm going to open the hood on it tomorrow and see what the oil looks like. I'll be inspecting the water pump as well.

There is no oil in the radiator which I'm taking as a really good sign right now. I also haven't seen the "usual" signs of overheating (steam rising from engine).

I'm thinking as for starting to replace things, I'll start with the usual try this first options..

1- Replace cap.

2- Replace heater hose.

3. Replace thermostat.

4....hmmmm.....

I'll let you all know what the oil looks like tomorrow. I'm really hoping this is a simple fix. (fingers crossed)

Colleen

 

[Justshootme84]

Check the transmission fluid dipstick, too. THe cooling lines usually run to a side tank on the radiator that is a common leak problem. Water in tranny fluid looks pink, like PEptOL Bismol. Very bad for a tranny... The fix for that is of course a new radiator. But like others have said, a new radiator isn't much good to you if the block is filled with rust and scale, which will plug it right up again.

 

[Seabronc]

White smoke when cold could be the first signs of a head gasket problem. It may leak when cold but after it warms up the metal expands enough to seal or seals enough that you don't notice a gradual burning/vaporizing of the antifreeze. Before you start replacing things get a flush kit and do the checks.

I wasn't suggesting a larger radiator to fix the missing fluid. That is a possible solution for overheating in hot climates. I probably should not have mentioned it. Also the flush is for overheating not fluid just disapearing. Your over heating may be because of low fluid so you have to find that problem first. Either you are leaking, burning or boiling it away. Since you don't smell it, you probably aren't boiling it away. The white smoke is what concerns me. Add to Justshootme84's list of checks, check the head bolt torque. I gotta believe that white smoke, if it does not smell like oil is antifreeze.

Good luck,

>-

 

[wrachet]

Ok this is what I'm going to do this morning...

Look to see if the Bronco making Chocolate Milk or PeptoBismol.

At this point, I have no plans to replace the radiator....radiator cap yes.

So give me about an hour and a half and I'll tell you what that stuff looks like.

Colleen

 

[wrachet]

Ok...went out to the beast this morning. Checked oil via dipstick..blackest stuff I've ever seen. Will talk hubby into changing the oil (or if it warms up, I'll do it)...checked the antifreeze level it was fine..no oil in the antifreeze.

Started it up...white smoke...but I flooded it as well...so once it was ready to move, I opened the hood seen a little bit of "white" smoke coming from the oil breather. moved the truck to the new parking position, turned the truck off...felt radiator cap (wasn't hot)...loosened radiator cap just a bit and antifreeze came spewing out everywhere.

So...hmmm...any thoughts?

Somebody painted the water pump ford blue...ugh

 

[wrachet]

What I did today...

Replaced thermostat, heater hose...

Tomorrow...replace upper hose on radiator (it's too soft), pour in the antifreeze...

Start it up and see what happens.

Total spent today- $30

 

[wrachet]

So far this thing is really starting to make me mad. I'm waiting for it to cool down so I can take the radiator cap off and look for circulation. I'm thinking the radiator is clogged.

I replaced the upper hose, tightened everything down, started it up...turned it off..tightened some more...started it up...no leaks...turned it off...and the antifreeze decided it wanted to make it's way into the overflow. Arg....

I'll let you know what I find out later..

Colleen

P.S. No white smoke this morning. Started right up.

 

[wrachet]

By golly, it may actually be fixed...and by a girl at that!!

Flushed radiator (used kit)...dumped the flush stuff into it...let it run for 10 minutes...drain radiator....fill with water...run for 10 minutes...drain radiator...put in around 50-70% antifreeze in...filled the rest with water...let it run for 20 minutes...drove it up to the parts store...bought a new radiator cap..came home...and no overheating!

I'll drive it around for a little bit...maybe tomorrow or later tonight...

I'll let you know what the total cost is later.

<crossing fingers>

Colleen

 

[BLADE262US]

If the white smoke is from antifreeze it will have a very sweet smell to it . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[wrachet]

If the white smoke is from antifreeze it will have a very sweet smell to it .

 

[snowman74]

Bless your heart...sounds like you've had a real tought time with this one. The white smoke could have been too much oil in the system. To check for a possible cracked head, start the motor cold with the radiator cap off. If, after it starts to warm up, you see bubbles coming up in the fluid, it's a cracked head. Also, is the floor under your glove box damp? Could be a leaky heater core...although that wouldn't explain the white smoke. Finally, is it running rich? That could account for poor gas mileage and white smoke. Just some thoughts.

Jim >-

 

[wrachet]

Bless your heart...sounds like you've had a real tought time with this one. The white smoke could have been too much oil in the system. To check for a possible cracked head, start the motor cold with the radiator cap off. If, after it starts to warm up, you see bubbles coming up in the fluid, it's a cracked head. Also, is the floor under your glove box damp? Could be a leaky heater core...although that wouldn't explain the white smoke. Finally, is it running rich? That could account for poor gas mileage and white smoke. Just some thoughts.Jim >-

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Actually I think the oil may be a little low....couldn't find out what the correct level is anyways since it has the oversized oil pan on it and a regular dipstick.

Floor is not damp. It does run rich at times but I totally attribute that to the carb issue.

I'm going to start that thing up and see what happens with the fluid in the radiator. I appreciate your help! (and everybody's help for that matter!)

Thanks,

Colleen