Weird coolant leak, need advice

[nstorke]

Hello everyone, I seem to have a coolant leak that I haven't read a solution to on this site. Some background: When I bought the deuce it has a slow drip like leak from the radiator, I used some bars leak and pressure tested it again and the leak stopped. I ran it a few times around the house and still no leak. Today I decided to take it to get a sub, so I drive it for about an hour, 25 minutes there 10 to have it made and 25 home. Never turned her off and there was no signs of any fluids leaking the entire time. I get home and shut it down in my drive way. I went out 30 minutes later to see my driveway covered in coolant. This is the second time it has don't it after a short road trip. I have no white smoke and my oil is clean so I believe the head gasket is fine, in addition the hoses don't seem to be the source but I could be wrong. Also the leak is mainly on the passenger side. If anyone has had this problem or knows the reason I could use some help, thank you all in advance.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Too many variables to be even able to guess.

Run the same trip and watch for something to leak.

 

[Warthog]

There has to be wetness somewhere. Not many hoses to check. Have you over filled the radiator? Each truck has its own coolant level. Some like to be right at the bottom of the filler and like it higher.

 

[nstorke]

I plan on it tomorrow, where should I watch specifically? Also what other information could I provide that would help you determine the problem? I fill it to the bottom the the neck at the top of the radiator as I read most people fill it up
to that point.

 

[Warthog]

Look for coolant on the back of the engine toward the firewall. That will be a head gasket leak.

Near the radiator. that is that large radiator hoses.

Do you have a heater? check those hoses.

Check the heater box if you have one.

Just look for fresh wetness.

Is the engine too dirty and oily to see the wetness? Wash it, let it dry and then look.

 

[Carlo]

That Bars stuff is a temp fix, no? I would only use that stuff severe conditions. It temporarily stops the leak but gums up other passages that I'm not sure you can free up. You might be better home pulling the radiator and taking her to a radiator shop for evaluation. Could be he can be boiled out and rodded or could be it's rotten. I fix my radiators though many members replace.

 

[wreckerman893]

I once had an aggravating leak. I would drive the truck and there was never a visible leak anywhere. The coolant would steadily go down.

I was driving down the road one day and smelled coolant. I whipped over to the side and started looking for leaks. I found a pinhole in a hose that was directing the coolant to the exhaust manifold where it was being vaporized by the hot manifold.

As I watched the hole contracted as the pressure dropped. I cranked the engine up and set the throttle at a high idle. As soon as the system built up a little pressure the hole started spurting coolant onto the hot manifold again.

When I got back to the shop I replaced the offending hose and problem stopped.

Just my experience, your mileage may vary.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I agree, bars leak isn't good for a cooling system.

If a leak occurs, I have found it better to use pepper(as in salt and pepper). It is easy to flush after you get to a safe place to work on the cooling system.

 

[nstorke]

So why does the leak only occur while the truck is off? Any ideas?

 

[Karl kostman]

When the engine is shut down especially if it has not been idled for the suggested 5 min. turbo cool down time its going to get warm. What I mean is now you have NO coolant circulation and NO fan to move air through the radiator to cool the HOT engine, give this just a moments thought, is the cooling system going to develop MORE PRESSURE, Absolutely it is, this could very possible be what your dealing with?
Karl

 

[nstorke]

That makes sense thank you. I didn't let it idle very long, I will fill
it back up and try again. Maybe I will also replace the bottom hose as that is where I believe it's coming from.

 

[Carlo]

So why does the leak only occur while the truck is off? Any ideas?

This is the same type of leak I had with this M923A1. Nothing leaked while it was running ( in the beginning) but shut it off and it started to come down. I just put it off but steadily the leak came even when it was running. The leak was high in the radiator and if the level was il wit would slow die nor even stop. In the end I repaired it.

 

[AZDeuce]

Nstorke

The bottom hose is a PITA to remove/replace I usually remove the grill and remove the 2 bolts holding the radiator in place on the bottom, and the one bolt/brace on top, along with the top hose. If you have a winch put a piece of thick cardboard over the front of your radiator so that if/when it leans forward, the winch won't punch a hole in it. I usually put some little pieces of wood, and/or use a pry bar near the two bottom bolts to move the radiator up and down to get the bottom hose on. Loosen/remove all the top stuff first to disassemble, and remove the bottom hose last. Reassemble the bottom hose first then reassemble the top side.

Hope this helps - AZ

 

[wb1895]

I have had the same problem before. I determined that I wasn't letting the truck idle long enough to properly cool down. When I didn't idle the truck long enough, my deuce would puke coolant a few minutes after shutting her down. Idle her for a good 5 minutes after parking.

 

[rustystud]

Also I would check the "welch" plugs (freeze plugs) to see if any are leaking. Also check hose clamps.