Engine Losing Coolant For A Couple Years

95Vert383AOD

15 Year Member
Jun 10, 2008
1,133
33
69
New Bedford, MA
Yeah so my motor randomly loses coolant. Maybe 1/2 radiator every 100+ miles.

I cannot find the leak....even after a coolant pressure test that showed the motor wasn't holding pressure. (Slow leak down over maybe 5 minutes)

Oil looks fine. I don't see anything coming from the lower head bolts.

Is there any special way of tracing a leak without tearing the top half of my motor down "Just to be sure"? I use the very not so cheap 1006 head gaskets and would hate replacing $150 worth of intake and head gaskets if i can help it.

I need some old Shade tree tricks for finding leaks.

I was gonna try pulling the lower head bolts 1 by 1 and resealing them. While re-torquing them all to keep proper seal.

Thanks ahead
Chris
 
  • Sponsors (?)


Its in the details. 351 stroked to a 383. Aluminum heads ARP 12 point w/studs. No smoke.....Starts right up and runs beautifully. I'm losing coolant somewhere but its not going into the oil or coming out the tail pipes. Ive looked around the pump and that looks fine too. I have had this issue for a while. I would rather not keep adding coolant.

I guessed that maybe its evaporating before i can see it.
 
antifreeze really doesnt evaporate quickly... does it do it only under pressure or does it do it when the cars just sitting?
 
half way sound right around the centerline of the water pump... any chance its got a slow leak ouf of the water pump and just a slow drip out the bottom of it?
 
half way sound right around the centerline of the water pump... any chance its got a slow leak ouf of the water pump and just a slow drip out the bottom of it?

Well i cant see anything from the top. Its all painted so maybe its traveling under the paint?

I am pulling the brackets off this weekend so i can inspect.
Do you think its maybe its coming threw the weep hole in the pump?
 
the weep hole in the snout maybe or the weep holes in the timing cover... when it leaks out with otu running does any of it lay on the ground? maybe out of the back of the lower intake?
 
Possibly it is dripping out the weep hole. Mine was recent leaking from the side of the gasket of the waterpump, putting in a little into the overflow for years. It was a wet on the side of the pump/timing cover. Finally got around to swap it out. After you get the car up to operating temperature, shut it down and pop the hood. Smell for coolant and listen and look for any wet spots or steam.
 
if you find the leak lemme know if you find a few of my socks. they go in the drier but never come out. they have to be going to the same spot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
dont get me started on that. I had to tear the washer apart a while ago to replace a pump, found 6 socks, 1 pair boxers and a kids size 6x polo shirt all stuck underneath the agitator assembly. WTF?

Sent from my rooted, rommed Galaxy Nexus....
 
There is a fluorescent dye that can be added to help find things like this.

You might also have a hose with a pinhole leak that only leaks under RPM or other pressure. My SHO sprayed it onto the radiator out of one of the many little hoses when revved up and that made it very difficult to find.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
There is a fluorescent dye that can be added to help find things like this.

You might also have a hose with a pinhole leak that only leaks under RPM or other pressure. My SHO sprayed it onto the radiator out of one of the many little hoses when revved up and that made it very difficult to find.

I had this issue on a lincoln before where the heater core connected. Hard to find when it just wants to drip drip and not flat out fail.