Mystery Coolant Leak- 2.3

93_Rarity · #1 11-15-2014, 08:14 AM

About a week ago, temperatures started dropping really low (freakin teen digit figures), and now this darn thing started just pouring it's antifreeze all over the place when it sits. When the engine runs, it doesn't leak. When it's warm, it doesn't leak. But when its cold, a nice steady drip that runs down from somewhere in the front of the engine appears and drains my radiator overnight. I figured it was probably the thermostat seal, though I just replaced it and the thermostat three or so months ago. I checked this morning to see if it was dripping (which it wasn't). I then poured the better part of a gallon of coolant in and it immediately started dripping. I checked the thermostat housing, and I can't find any signs of leaks. Almost to the point I want to torch this damn truck, it costs me a half gallon of antifreeze to go anywhere, the other half to get back, and it's really ticking me off. Any help would be greatly appreciated, since I'm working six days a week now I really can't afford to tear open something I know nothing about and can't finish in a day, but can't afford not to fix it.

djfllmn · #2 11-15-2014, 08:17 AM

Water pump, rad hoses, rad, over flow bottle

All could be suspect. Get it pressure tested

chrisgxl2003 · #3 11-15-2014, 09:19 AM

Honestly when I had my 2.3 it went through a couple of days where it would leak antifreeze out of the blue when I was parked at work I always thought it was coming out by the thermostat I never did anything to it and it stopped and never leaked again. Idk what the issue ever was.

93_Rarity · #4 11-15-2014, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

Water pump, rad hoses, rad, over flow bottle

All could be suspect. Get it pressure tested

I've literally got $22 til next Thursday, I can't afford to get it tested or I would have already. And I'm pretty sure it's not the hoses or radiator, I had to replace all those when I got the truck back in April. I'm gonna put it on some ramps when I get up tonight and see what I can see I guess.

----------

If all else fails, I've got duct tape!!! XD

cowboybilly9mile · #5 11-15-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93_Rarity

About a week ago, temperatures started dropping really low (freakin teen digit figures), and now this darn thing started just pouring it's antifreeze all over the place when it sits. When the engine runs, it doesn't leak. When it's warm, it doesn't leak. But when its cold, a nice steady drip that runs down from somewhere in the front of the engine appears and drains my radiator overnight. I figured it was probably the thermostat seal, though I just replaced it and the thermostat three or so months ago. I checked this morning to see if it was dripping (which it wasn't). I then poured the better part of a gallon of coolant in and it immediately started dripping. I checked the thermostat housing, and I can't find any signs of leaks. Almost to the point I want to torch this damn truck, it costs me a half gallon of antifreeze to go anywhere, the other half to get back, and it's really ticking me off. Any help would be greatly appreciated, since I'm working six days a week now I really can't afford to tear open something I know nothing about and can't finish in a day, but can't afford not to fix it.

What you need to do is to go to an Oreillys and borrow, for free (I knew you'd like the price) their pressure tester. You leave a deposit, the most convenient method is on a credit card and you get it back when you return the tester. Now go home, hook it up, pump it up to 14psi (unless it begins leaking sooner) and look for the leak.

93_Rarity · #6 11-17-2014, 10:22 AM

Just for S&G's, I removed the water pump. After removing it, I saw that the whole seal had basically blown out. After borrowing some cash from a friend I went ahead and got a new water pump to fix it. It was an easy install and fixed the problem, so yay! Thanks so much peoples!!!

djfllmn · #7 11-17-2014, 10:23 AM

Did you put a new timing belt on while you were in there?

93_Rarity · #8 11-18-2014, 02:00 PM

No, should I have?

96_4x4_XLT · #9 11-18-2014, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93_Rarity

I've literally got $22 til next Thursday, I can't afford to get it tested or I would have already. And I'm pretty sure it's not the hoses or radiator, I had to replace all those when I got the truck back in April. I'm gonna put it on some ramps when I get up tonight and see what I can see I guess. ---------- If all else fails, I've got duct tape!!! XD

Never think that new parts aren't bad

They could have been installed wrong damaged in shipping storage and install or just a bad part

djfllmn · #10 11-18-2014, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93_Rarity

No, should I have?

yea

93_Rarity · #11 11-19-2014, 02:01 AM

Ooh well, I'll get to it sooner or later...... Probably when it breaks and totally jacks three engine up lol ��

stateranger · #12 11-19-2014, 10:12 AM

If it breaks the engine will be fine since it's a non interference engine.

93_Rarity · #13 11-21-2014, 09:35 AM

Then yesssshh!!! I'll fix it when it breaks!!!! XD