Tracking down a Coolant Leak

[ccurzio]

Moved the DeLorean out of the garage today (it's been sitting for a little while) and there was a nice big pool of coolant underneath the car. I know it has had this leak for a while but I still can't isolate it.

http://i.imgur.com/TnQBu.jpg

Anyone have any thoughts on how to track this down?

[tgraham]

I bet it's coming from a heater hose (or the junction at the metal heater hose pipe that runs alongside the frame). A pressure tester is, without a doubt, the easiest way to find leaks - pressurize the system and you'll find the source quickly.

Travis

[David T]

Make sure the header tank is not empty. Get a coolant system pressure tester. Pump the system up to about 5# and see where it is squirting out. Don't just try overtightening hose clamps. Remove the hose and clean the pipe. If the hose is good use a little gasket sealer and if necessary a new clamp. You may also have pinholes in the coolant pipes. A temporary fix is to slide a piece of hose and 2 clamps over the spot. If the coolant is over 5 years old refill with fresh. Be sure to bleed the air. When finished pump up to 15 psi cold and watch for 15 minutes. If it drops you still have leaks. If you don't see them it is probably under the intake manifold. Look at the radiator through the fan on the left side. If you see green or there is green staining on the left tank the radiator should be replaced.
David Teitelbaum

[sean]

I bet it's coming from a heater hose (or the junction at the metal heater hose pipe that runs alongside the frame). A pressure tester is, without a doubt, the easiest way to find leaks - pressurize the system and you'll find the source quickly.

+1! Since you recently were fiddling in/around the heater plumbing near the slave cylinder this could be your issue.

[Dangermouse]

Is your header tank cap missing again?

[ccurzio]

Make sure the header tank is not empty. Get a coolant system pressure tester. Pump the system up to about 5# and see where it is squirting out. Don't just try overtightening hose clamps. Remove the hose and clean the pipe. If the hose is good use a little gasket sealer and if necessary a new clamp. You may also have pinholes in the coolant pipes. A temporary fix is to slide a piece of hose and 2 clamps over the spot. If the coolant is over 5 years old refill with fresh. Be sure to bleed the air. When finished pump up to 15 psi cold and watch for 15 minutes. If it drops you still have leaks. If you don't see them it is probably under the intake manifold. Look at the radiator through the fan on the left side. If you see green or there is green staining on the left tank the radiator should be replaced.
David Teitelbaum

Thanks, David. The header tank is not empty, it's got more than enough coolant in it. I check it regularly thanks to this persisting leak.


+1! Since you recently were fiddling in/around the heater plumbing near the slave cylinder this could be your issue.

Maybe, though I've had this slight leak since before my slave cylinder problem.


Is your header tank cap missing again?

Hah! Nope, I've made sure to also keep a close eye on that. The new part hasn't disappeared on me yet. :)

[sean]

Maybe, though I've had this slight leak since before my slave cylinder problem.


You drove all the way to Florida knowing you have a coolant leak!?!? You're braver than me man.

[ccurzio]

You drove all the way to Florida knowing you have a coolant leak!?!? You're braver than me man.

:) It's so incredibly slight that it's not a huge deal, just annoying. I've made a habit out of keeping an eye on the temp gauge and during that trip I checked the coolant level every time I stopped for anything.

[Stainless]

My bet is also on one of the heater hoses. I recently replaced the slave on my DeLorean and discovered that I had inadvertently caused a slight, but steady leak. A little investigative work by tracing the flow to the source, revealed a loose fitting on the heater hose.

A simple tightening of the clamp fixed my issue and I've been leak-free again since. Go in there with a work light and I'm sure you'll find it quickly.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The aluminum pipes have been known to corrode and the pipe near the header tank has a common hole where a something rubs through it.

But as all have suggested, pressurize the system and start looking for the leak.

[ccurzio]

I picked up a pressure tester from autozone today and I get to keep it for 90 days, so I'll be looking to check into it sometime soon. Thanks, everyone.