Coolant Smoke From where

[97ranger4x4]

I have noticed coolant missing from my overflow tank over the last few weeks. it all started when I cleaned my engine and then all of a sudden I started loosing coolant. I cant figure out where its going. I can see some smoke coming when I open my hood after it is warmed up. I cant see any leaks...

In the picture I have attached, the steam looks like it comes from the area right above the oil dipstick and to the right just a little bit. basically its right where the box is in the center of the picture. Im lost

Thanks,

Keith

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds like you need to pressure test the system so you can crawl around and look for the leak. the only leak that could be coming from the location you describe that i can think of is a head gasket...though external head gasket leaks arent very common...

 

[97ranger4x4]

How can I pressure test the system? Short of taking it to a mechanic? Is there special tools that you need?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a pressure tester hooks onto the radiators spout (or pressurized recovery bottle, if equipped) and has a pump for pressurizing the system.

 

[97ranger4x4]

yeh I just googled it. I wonder if autozone rents something like this out?

Do you know where you can rent a tester? I really shouldnt purchase any more tools. The GF thinks I should invest in jewelry...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive never seen one for rent. they really arent that expensive...but if your really pressed for cash, talk to some local mechanics.

 

[KELLY88]

yeh I just googled it. I wonder if autozone rents something like this out?

Do you know where you can rent a tester? I really shouldnt purchase any more tools. The GF thinks I should invest in jewelry...

Jewelry goes out of style, gets lost or broken. A well maintained tool lasts forever and has much more use.

Back to your question: I'm pretty sure most auto parts stores can rent you a pressure tester.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Just called my local autozone and they loan it out. So I will pick it up this afternoon and see if I can test it tonight. Do you know if the engine must be cold when you test it? I was reading one set of directions and it looks like you hook up the tester, pump the PSI up, watch to see if it drops. Then you can start it and bring it up to operating temp and check to see what it does.

Ill Keep this updated as I figure WTF is going on with my truck!

BTW, thats what I keep telling her and she looks at me like i am crazy! She tells me last night she wants a set of pearl earings to go with her necklace/bracelet that her grandmother gave her 5+ years ago that she has never worn...

I hint for tools, and I end up getting a sweater

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you want the motor to be cold when you test it. just hook the tester up and pump the system up to the caps rated pressure, then see if the pressure drops (it might be slow if its a small leak). if it does, keep it pumped up and crawl around the engine and look for coolant dribbling out.

 

[KELLY88]

She tells me last night she wants a set of pearl earings to go with her necklace/bracelet that her grandmother gave her 5+ years ago that she has never worn...

I hint for tools, and I end up getting a sweater

That she has never worn? That doesn't make much sense.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Wicked,
Sweet, ill do it before work then tomorrow after it sits all night.

MTNRGR,
I never did get around to doing that compression check. Last summer I replaced the lower/upper intake gaskets. I really hope I didnt screw any of those up. I check my oil every time I fuel up and it does not look milky in any way that would like like it is mixing with coolant. I guess thats a good thing right?

 

[97ranger4x4]

Well she doesn't wear them because she doesn't have earrings to match. Hence why she thinks I should purchase earrings for her...

 

[97ranger4x4]

So I borrowed the pressure tester from Autozone, unfortunatly they did not have the right adapter to hook it up to my radiator. The cap itself wouldnt hold more than 12-14 PSI, while my service manual says the system pressure is 16PSI. I think I will get a new cap, or test my roomates (Same truck) just for shits and giggles. I will do a compression check this weekend, and see what that gets me. If it looks like there is a problem. Ill take it down to the local midas or equivalent and get the whole system tested.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

The cap itself wouldnt hold more than 12-14 PSI, while my service manual says the system pressure is 16PSI.

what does the cap itself say? its rated pressure should be marked on it.

 

[97ranger4x4]

the only thing I saw on my cap was a 1.1 which I assume is the size of the cap. Would the pressure rating be on the inside? I will have to look closer.