Water leak
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 74
From: Casselberry FL
Water leak Over the last week I've had the water level light come on twice, and both times the radiator was low. I topped it up both times but I can't find anything spraying, dripping or in general wet except for the lines going between the PS pump and my PS cooler. The second time I also checked the overflow tank and while I didn't have anything to dry off the plastic dipstick, it appeared to be low. Since I live in Florida, I use a combination of distilled water & Water Wetter.
What are the easiest things to check to ensure I don't needlessly pay for something which ends up not being needed? Water pump? Radiator cap? Seeping radiator? Compression test? Leakdown? Checking spark plugs? Checking oil?
If it's the water pump, I don't want an electric pump. Should I just use another OEM LS2 water pump or is there a more efficient, compatible mechanical pump?
What are the easiest things to check to ensure I don't needlessly pay for something which ends up not being needed? Water pump? Radiator cap? Seeping radiator? Compression test? Leakdown? Checking spark plugs? Checking oil?
If it's the water pump, I don't want an electric pump. Should I just use another OEM LS2 water pump or is there a more efficient, compatible mechanical pump?
I would get a pressure tester and look for leaks while the system is pressurized. Some times the problem will be a small pin hole sized leak that you would have never seen spraying out while just looking for drips or leaks. You could do a compression test to see if you blew a head gasket. Check the oil and the water or discoloring or gunk. If your car has a lot of mileage, then replacing the rubber hoses (upper & lower radiator hose/heater hoses) shouldn't be too expensive and will prevent problems later down the road. If you do a search, you'll find that many people just remove the PS cooler as it tends to fail and cause issues. You can get a hose for a non-ps cooler car and remove the cooler.
+1 on the pressure test, first.
I had a similar symptom with my original water pump. The issue turned out to be a bad water pump. Instead of spitting out water, the bad seals were allowing air to enter the pump and be injected into the system. The water was going out my overflow bottle.
^ If this is happening to you, then you'll see really weird stuff on the dipstick after the engine cools and the siphon pulls fluid back into the radiator.
I had a similar symptom with my original water pump. The issue turned out to be a bad water pump. Instead of spitting out water, the bad seals were allowing air to enter the pump and be injected into the system. The water was going out my overflow bottle.
^ If this is happening to you, then you'll see really weird stuff on the dipstick after the engine cools and the siphon pulls fluid back into the radiator.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 74
From: Casselberry FL
+1 on the pressure test, first.
I had a similar symptom with my original water pump. The issue turned out to be a bad water pump. Instead of spitting out water, the bad seals were allowing air to enter the pump and be injected into the system. The water was going out my overflow bottle.
^ If this is happening to you, then you'll see really weird stuff on the dipstick after the engine cools and the siphon pulls fluid back into the radiator.
I had a similar symptom with my original water pump. The issue turned out to be a bad water pump. Instead of spitting out water, the bad seals were allowing air to enter the pump and be injected into the system. The water was going out my overflow bottle.
^ If this is happening to you, then you'll see really weird stuff on the dipstick after the engine cools and the siphon pulls fluid back into the radiator.
I'd try watching the dipstick level at cold - hot - cold and see what happens. First fill the radiator and then the reservoir to the cold mark. If you go above the hot mark after running for a while, something (air) is being added to the system.
When my water pump died, it was spilling coolant on the freeway but would be bone dry at rest. I could never figure out where the coolant was going. Then one night as I was reaching home after a long drive, I pulled into a gas station to refuel and once I stopped, it made a puddle under the pump weep hole. But it took weeks to get that bad. I'm betting water pump.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 74
From: Casselberry FL
I've not had to top it off much since my last post, but I have noticed a brief squealing upon startup that goes away after a few seconds, and then maybe a faint whistling sound. I'll have to check the pulleys & belts.
That sounds like a leaking hose or water pump that is getting water onto the belt. I believe you said your PS cooler hose was wet, might be time to do the PS cooler delete mod with a new non-cooler hose.
He's in FL, so he may not need an exact 50/50 blend. I have friends here in CA that just run water and water wetter, no antifreeze. I still mix it, however if I have to top it off, I just add water.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 74
From: Casselberry FL
I'm in Florida so I use a combination of distilled water & water wetter. I've been topping it off with distilled water so the ratio may now be a little off.
As stated before, I have an aftermarket PS cooler (which uses AN fittings), not the OEM version in the upper hose. The hoses go from the PS pump, uses a male-to-male adapter to connect to another hose, which in turn connects to the AN fittings. It appears to be leaking at the male-to-male fitting and we're trying to find a better long term solution.
I haven't felt the passenger floorboard, but even though I'm not using coolant, I suspect I'd smell something unusual.
As stated before, I have an aftermarket PS cooler (which uses AN fittings), not the OEM version in the upper hose. The hoses go from the PS pump, uses a male-to-male adapter to connect to another hose, which in turn connects to the AN fittings. It appears to be leaking at the male-to-male fitting and we're trying to find a better long term solution.
I haven't felt the passenger floorboard, but even though I'm not using coolant, I suspect I'd smell something unusual.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 74
From: Casselberry FL
Found some dried dye on the back of the air dam. On the rear of the radiator, passenger side, there is a drain valve at the bottom that seemed to be slightly loose, we tightened the cap. The serpentine belt seemed a bit dry so we applied a tiny bit of belt grease. Will monitor.