Jumping in with the guys!

[rusty ol ranger]

Also has anyone suggested renting or buying a coolant pressure tester?

 

[BabyBlue]

I haven't read the other 5 pages so it may have been asked and answered already but have you tried to just watch it while it is running to see if you can see where the leak is coming from? I had a pinhole in a brass fitting that would only leak when it got up to temp but would stop leaking when the t-stat opened. Only saw it when I sat there with a flashlight for 10 minutes and it finally sprayed out the pin hole. Other idea would be to check the reservoir for leaks. Maybe you have a small crack in the side just above the water level and it only leaks when it splashes from taking turns or something....

Any smoke from the exhaust when running?

Do you hear bubbling in the reservoir when you shut the engine off after it has been running a while?

Sorry if these have been asked or answered but its hard to sift through 5 pages of people talking about 90% nonsense and 10% actual info.

91Stranger
Thank you.
No white smoke and no bubbling.
Certain there is no leak at reservoir m, but will check again!

Puddling of fluid is on front end of engine passenger side with a dampness just below front edge of passenger seat.

I am taking notice that when I used my heater Monday for a .25 drive home the reservoir was empty. I had filled it Saturday Afternoon in which it sat in a friends driveway no leaking after a until I left Monday with a .25 min drive home heat on.
Then I had leaking and then puddling.
Reservoir empty.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Also has anyone suggested renting or buying a coolant pressure tester?

Before spending money, have advance or Napazone or Irish mcpartstore pressure test your cooling system. Get the results for us. We will decipher the runes...

Temperature affects results. Block may leak only when cold or only when hot.

Better to save the cash if it's gonna be something big.

Yep.

 

[BabyBlue]

Yep.

Also has anyone suggested renting or buying a coolant pressure tester?

No.

Yep.

I’ll get her pressure tested and report back!
Awesome & Thank You!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@BabyBlue im not 100% sure the big chain stores will pressure test your cooling system.

Its pretty simple to do though, basically just attach a pump to the radiator where the cap goes, pump it up to the pressure it says on the cap (13lbs is my 87 2.9, not sure on yours), and watch for coolant to spurt out somewhere.

If its dropping pressure with no coolant being seen...you might be in for a head gasket or something. IIRC 2.3s are known for it.

 

[BabyBlue]

@BabyBlue im not 100% sure the big chain stores will pressure test your cooling system.

Its pretty simple to do though, basically just attach a pump to the radiator where the cap goes, pump it up to the pressure it says on the cap (13lbs is my 87 2.9, not sure on yours), and watch for coolant to spurt out somewhere.

If its dropping pressure with no coolant being seen...you might be in for a head gasket or something. IIRC 2.3s are known for it.

It’s not internal.
It’s an external leak found it.

 

[BabyBlue]

Yep.

Found a source this is where is leaking. No other places.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Lower rad hose?

 

[BabyBlue]

Looks that way. No other leaking....to be seen. No white smoke.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Welcome aboard Blue! I'm late to the party it seems!

So the lower radiator hose is chafed? There is a drain on the radiator, you will need a big bucket also lol I'm sure the gentlemen have told you after 7 pages..


I'm weaning myself away from my ranger as a daily driver, got me a Honda Civic. the truck so the truck is in the backyard awaiting tlc, I even bought a power steering pulley puller!

 

[BabyBlue]

Welcome aboard Blue! I'm late to the party it seems!

So the lower radiator hose is chafed? There is a drain on the radiator, you will need a big bucket also lol I'm sure the gentlemen have told you after 7 pages..


I'm weaning myself away from my ranger as a daily driver, got me a Honda Civic. the truck so the truck is in the backyard awaiting tlc, I even bought a power steering pulley puller!

Hello! It’s been interesting! I learned a lot since last night.
Hopefully, it’s just the lower radiator hose!!
Will run a compression check as well and go one step at a time here. Observation and getting up and under right after it leaked out helped!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Yup. Diagnostics are worth more than any blind repair

Test test test..... Then test more.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Chances are its just the radiator hose.

Swap it out and keep on truckin

 

[BabyBlue]

Chances are its just the radiator hose.

Swap it out and keep on truckin

That’s the plan. I’d prefer to drive her than my 2018 Mazda right now.
She has a new muffler, rear brakes, serpentine belt...picked her up fur next to nothing 153K. She’s my bum around truck and I’m a ton. Going to get this straightened out then replace headliner next!

 

[BabyBlue]

That’s the plan. I’d prefer to drive her than my 2018 Mazda right now.
She has a new muffler, rear brakes, serpentine belt...picked her up fur next to nothing 1k with 153K on her. She’s my bum around truck and I’m Learning a ton. Going to get this straightened out then replace headliner next!