Coolant leak???

[Snowman]

I have a 1998 Discovery with 120k miles on her and have been noticing the distinct smell of coolant hitting something hot after getting out of the vehicle. It seems to be emanating from the front of the vehicle not the exhaust and my coolant level needs topping off at least once a week. I took it to my shop and they performed a cold pressure test and found no drop in pressure or leaks. So where do I go from here? Thanks

- Chris

 

[brianhoberg]

check your radiator when you take the shroud off, could have a leak in your radiator like I do.

 

[Snowman]

I thought the pressure test would show something. They told me it sat for over an hour holding pressure. I'll look around the radiator like you said. Maybe I should have it pressure tested when it is hot?

- Chris

 

[singingcamel]

Most common leaks that i've found is either the little tube that goes from the rigid heater hose tube to the front of the engine. Next would be thermostat gasket , water pump and valley gasket. You should see coolant or traces of coolant leak somewhere, look for corrosion .

 

[Dan B]

I thought the pressure test would show something. They told me it sat for over an hour holding pressure. I'll look around the radiator like you said. Maybe I should have it pressure tested when it is hot?

- Chris

Well, to pressure test it they'll have to take the expansion tank cap off - which if you do when everything is hot you'll get sprayed with hot coolant.

As it happens, pv/t = constant, so by increasing p (pressure) you simulate increasing t (temperature).

My valley pan gasket was leaking, but a pressure test didn't show anything as the positions that they leak from are well hidden behind A/C and ACE pumps, alternators, coil packs, etc.

 

[bmohan55]

I went thru the same stuff, would hold pressure during test but yet was losing about 1/2 the coolant every 2 weeks. After holding the pressure test longer and higher (14 lbs IIRC) the Valley pan Gasket was found to be leakiing. No coolant on the floor as it burned off as it leaked.

Of course after fixing that I noticed coolant dripping from the front of the engine and finally tracked that down to the water pump gasket and timing chain gasket. Don't know if that was result of running low pressure so long or the high pressure test...or it just wants to fuck with me.

 

[Blue]

It just wants to fuck with you.

I had coolant dripping down the backside of the block and had a head gasket job done a couple weeks ago. Everything was leak free for a few days and then there's a squeak squeak squeak from under the hood and coolant is pissing out the front of the engine. Now it's in the shop having the water pump replaced. Oh, and just for good measure the power steering pump started pissing PS fluid the day before I was scheduled for the head gasket job.

It just wants to fuck with you.