Another coolant leak plea....

[guitarman1996]

Need some guys.. Son's 09 4.0 (95k miles) ran hot on him... I drained what coolant was left, wasn't much, replaced the thermostat.... Got 2 gallons of coolant in, went to get more cause it wasn't even showing yet... Came back with coolant all over the floor... I couldn't seen 100% where it was coming from but I didn't see anything leaking from the water pump or the hoses... Shined light behind thermo housing and it did look wet back there....

So I took it all back off and once again drained what was left of the coolant (good bit this time) and replaced the entire housing with one of those kits from Advance Auto and replaced a couple hoses (what a pain with those clips)... Examined old housing and didn't really see where there any issues but it was such a pain I said screw it put the new one on anyway..... Welp, same thing...



This time I put a 1/2 gallon in, let it sit... no issues... put another 1/2 gallon, let it it sit... no issues.... Put the 2nd full gallon and same thing as before, starts pouring from under the engine, primary seems to be on the passenger side area, can't tell exactly where from though, I just see it falling off the bottom of the engine casing.... WHY only after 2 gallons?



Any ideas?? I'm not a mechanically inclined person and this took my hours to do and no result other than wasted money (gallons of anti freeze at this point)...... Really don't want to tow to a mechanic and pay thousands but if I can't even find the source of the leak I'll have to.

 

[Curious Hound]

I would recommend just using water while you're looking for the leak, instead of wasting coolant. Then, after the leak is fixed, drain and fill with coolant.

As far as "where the leak is", we'll, can't see it from here. Make sure the radiator drain is closed, all hose clamps are tight, etc. Could be a bad freeze plug. But, somehow, you're going to have to see where it's coming out.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I would look at the freeze plugs on both sides of the lower block. If it was mine and with my luck it will be right in front of the motor mount. Ask me how I know...
I fixed mine with a rubber expandable plug.

 

[superj]

i use those expandable rubber plugs too. i found a boat drain plug worked good when in a spot and since it worked so good, i never replaced it

 

[Kira]

Get a helper or two.
Repeat the process using water as mentioned above.
Dry things off as well as you can before you get to the "2nd full gallon". Then one person pours slowly.
Any other available personnel should be under the engine with flashlights.

 

[guitarman1996]

Get a helper or two.
Repeat the process using water as mentioned above.
Dry things off as well as you can before you get to the "2nd full gallon". Then one person pours slowly.
Any other available personnel should be under the engine with flashlights.

Thanks, got a buddy coming over this weekend that's a lot better than I am with cars.... Going to at least try to find the source before giving up and towing to a shop

 

[Kira]

My money's on a bad water pump. It's leaking out the back (somehow) and heaven only knows where a leak will wonder.
Do get back to us.

 

[guitarman1996]

My money's on a bad water pump. It's leaking out the back (somehow) and heaven only knows where a leak will wonder.
Do get back to us.

I will update as soon as I know something. hopefully it won't be to intensive

 

[DeeRanger]

You might grab some of this stuff, ( coolant dye). It could help out and it's cheap.

Amazon.com

 

[Kira]

^^Just remember that the use of these products requires a "black light" or "UV light".
I've no clue what a serviceable (cheap) shop leak detection lamp would cost.

Do LEDs even put out that part of the spectrum?

 

[SenorNoob]

There are relatively cheap mechanic's lights with a mode for just that.

BRAUN UV Leak Detector Black Light LED Flashlight

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Awhile back Lowes was clearing out a bunch of lights. I got 3 incandescent black lights for under a buck each. Now I have to find my posters from 45 years ago... Lol

 

[Kira]

Black light posters were cool.
But black light on dance floors was better. (Gals' undies would glow through their street clothes.)

 

[guitarman1996]

My money's on a bad water pump. It's leaking out the back (somehow) and heaven only knows where a leak will wonder.
Do get back to us.

Had some time to get out there today but my experienced help couldn't make it so I just filled it up a little, and it does "seem" like it's coming from behind the waterpump... I cranked the truck up and water started spraying out from wherever it's leaking from so something has failed for sure... since I can get an eye on all those hose I think those are fine.... Regardless I'm having it towed tomorrow and letting someone else take a look. Since I can't get official eyes on the source of the leak I'm not blinking replacing parts..... I"ll update everyone has I hear something.

 

[guitarman1996]

Well, supposedly the truck is ready, I had it towed to a shop yesterday.... They called this morning and said the thermostat housing wasn't seated all the way and that was the issue... I explained that I could believe that since I'm the one who replaced it but don't see how that could have caused the original issue.... Owner said he'd drive it around a bit and make sure all was good and they did use the machine to test out the pressure... I'll be going at 8am in the morning to pick it up, I trust the shop but I have my doubts on the issue being fixed..... 125 for the tow, 65 for the shop labor of reseating the housing and putting a new O-ring. on it