Cooling System Leak

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VanFan

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I've been asking around about this in a few places, so please forgive me if you've seen this sad tale before!&nbsp; (Maybe I should post this under "Matters of the Heart," since mine always feels broken when Moby needs repairs.&nbsp; Sniff.)<br><br>I have a '96 1500 Express (5.7L engine) with around 95,000 miles on it.&nbsp; It has a cooling system leak.&nbsp; Actually, it had two until earlier in the week.&nbsp; One was resolved by tightening a hose clamp on a section of hose near the rear heater heater core.<br><br>The remaining leak is relatively slow.&nbsp; The system lost about one pound of pressure in 15 minutes when pressured up to 20 psi using a cooling system pressure checker borrowed from Auto Zone.<br><br>I removed the doghouse, and have more or less traced it to the front of the engine block.&nbsp; I am not happy about this at all.&nbsp; I don't know engines well at all, but it looks like it could be coming from the head gasket.<br><br>There may also be a small amount of seepage under pressure from the manifold intake gasket.&nbsp; (Frankly, I'm pretty much guessing that's what I'm looking at, based on the thick, orange sealant there, which matches the description of a Wacker T product I read about in a TSB.)<br><br>Sadly, I don't drive the van very much.&nbsp; I have put considerable time, effort and money into various repairs in the time I've owned it.&nbsp; I recognize that this kind of leak can have serious consequences if coolant gets mixed with engine oil.&nbsp; I check the oil every time it's driven, and have seen no sign of that.<br><br>The cooling system seems to function well otherwise, even in extreme heat with the a/c on.&nbsp; The water pump was replaced not too terribly long ago, and I was told the system looked pretty decent then.<br><br>Here's where I could really use some input:<br><br>Is it reasonable to consider adding some Bar's Gold (or similar) to the system, continue to monitor the engine oil and hope for the best?<br><br>I haven't checked with a shop yet to see what it might cost to fix this "right."&nbsp; Is it reasonable to assume it will be a small fortune?<br><br>BTW:&nbsp; I do run DexCool in it.&nbsp; PLEASE, no DexCool debates if at all possible (LOL!)<br><br>Many thanks for any ideas!<br><br>Vickie<br>(Sitting in my 93.5 degree van, pouting, and <i>still</i> loving it!)<br><br>
 
Have you checked the freez plugs on the motor
 
If you can"t find the leak (freeze plug, leaking water pump, etc.) I would try some of the head gasket repair stuff in a can.&nbsp; We used some of this in a Acura V6 with a cracked(?) head.&nbsp; It seemed to fix the leak.<br>
 
bob144 said:
Have you checked the freez plugs on the motor
<br><br>No, I haven't, but after you mentioned it here, I found several references to rusted out plugs being the source of leaks.<br><br>It seems there is one above the starter motor mount.&nbsp; I'm going to try to find their locations in my shop manual and look for them on the van.<br><br>Thanks for the suggestion!<br><br>Vickie<br><br>
 
VanFan said:
<br>...have more or less traced it to the front of the engine block.<br>
<br><br>Man.&nbsp; Did I goof up this description.&nbsp; The leak is near the top of the REAR of the engine block.<br><br>
 
CP said:
If you can"t find the leak (freeze plug, leaking water pump, etc.) I would try some of the head gasket repair stuff in a can.&nbsp; We used some of this in a Acura V6 with a cracked(?) head.&nbsp; It seemed to fix the leak.<br>
<br>Thanks CP!&nbsp; I'm trying to resist that, but in the end, it might make the most sense.<br>Vickie<br>
 
Slow coolant leak......<br>Top rear of engine......<br>Usually time for a new intake manifold gasket set.<br>But as Bob144 said, <i>Check the freeze plugs FIRST.</i><br><br><br>
 
My son's in college with a 95 Sable. Due to a faulty sensor the fan shut down and the engine overheated, resulting in a head gasket leak. He's been driving it for two years, just keeping a constant eye on the coolant level and topping it off weekly. When it stops running it's not worth repairing, but it should continue as long as he watches it. Not a major problem yet.

Top of the rear is not a freeze plug.

Unless you have a funky design engine, coolant doesn't leak from under the intake manifold. The source pretty much has to be the head gasket. (no expert here but I've rebuilt a few engines).

Check the oil. Is it frothing? (cream colored froth on dipstick). An indication something's in the oil other than oil.

As long as the oil looks fine and the engine's not overheating you might continue on. If the heads start warping you're looking at an $1800 to $2500 repair job.

Up to you what to do ...



 

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