Coolant Leak: FIXED

[FreeBeeTony]

Discovered a coolant leak on my FWC system today........not bad but need to find it. When I got back from an early morning fishing trip I pressure tested the system and found that it held 18PSI for ~ 10min while I cleaned my catch (32" striper). I was suprised it held, thought the leak would be evident. Is it possible the cap is the culprit under pressure? I think the leak happens right before the thermostat opens, causes the belts to squeal.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

Full FWC? You sure it's coolant? Sounds like it's around the thermostat(or front) area. Should be easy to find.

 

[Don S]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

The squeeling belt many be the biggest hint. I would bet your circulation pump is leaking. Pull the belt and the pulley and I would bet you will find antifreeze residue around the weep hole on the pump.
Probably only leaks hot and spinning.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

not too sure on that Don.......the pump only has 130jrs on and the biggest amount of coolant was on the top of the intake. I felt under the circ pump and it seemed dry.......

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

Was wondering if I can pressurize the system while the engine is running......

I don't have much daylight during the week and need to diagnose before next w/e ..........the stripers are just coming in!!

Is it possible it's the cap?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

Was wondering if I can pressurize the system while the engine is running......

Ayuh,... No reason why Not...

Is it possible it's the cap?

Anything is Possible Tony,... Anything is possible....
Is it Above the manifold where you saw fluid,..??

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

Hey bondo..............yes, there was a "puddle" on top of the intake manifold.

Was really expecting to see the leak when I presurized the system.........I go it up to ~18psi, the cleaned the fish...........about 10 min later it maybe lost 1-1.5psi...........and the cap is only rated for 7psi........and it's kinda rusty.

Wondering if it's leaking from somewhere on or under the cap and not going to the overflow tank.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

Any other ideas?.......plan on going down to the boat tonight after work and pressurize the system while ilding at the dock........not sure if it will even get warm enough to open the thermostat while idling there........hoping pressurizing the system will simulate running under a load(?).

Don't have much time in the evening.........gets dark earlier and earlier now!

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

No thoughts?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Coolant Leak

Re: Coolant Leak

Fixed...........was just a faulty CAP!!!