Puddle of coolant on the ground
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
Puddle of coolant on the ground well my car has been sitting in storage since august, and when I went to check on it today I noticed a puddle of coolant below the engine bay, I havent jacked the car up to see where it is coming from yet (im about to do that now) but I am pretty curious to what is going on. I do know that that it is not below the radiator. Could the water pump have gone bad even thought it has not been turned on since august?
my parents said it has been like that for a month now, but it isnt getting any worse, it looks to be about less than half a gallon or so.
does anyone know what might be going on? it has never leaked coolant before.
my parents said it has been like that for a month now, but it isnt getting any worse, it looks to be about less than half a gallon or so.
does anyone know what might be going on? it has never leaked coolant before.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
I checked underneath the radiator and it is dry as well. it seems to be farther back in the engine, I checked the coolant level and it was full.
Where can I find a pressure tester? do most auto parts stores have them?
Where can I find a pressure tester? do most auto parts stores have them?
Trending Topics
go to autozone, they rent out tools like this. You provide a security deposit, take the tool, use it, return it in the same condition, and you get your money back. Unless you are a professional mechanic or have alot of older cars, not worth buying one in my opinion. They run alittle over a hundred dollars new.
thanks
andy schuck
thanks
andy schuck
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
yea I will check out autozone, I have done the tool rental from them numerous times.
I can see how coolant would leak after a drive because of the heating and cooling cycle, but this car has been sitting for months in storage, the temperature is usually about 30 to 40 degrees since it is winter.
I can see how coolant would leak after a drive because of the heating and cooling cycle, but this car has been sitting for months in storage, the temperature is usually about 30 to 40 degrees since it is winter.
Worst case it froze, expanded and popped a crack in the side of the Block.
I know that's worst case.. I've seen it happen with a few LS1's..the Iron Blocks are tougher, but it can happen.
I know that's worst case.. I've seen it happen with a few LS1's..the Iron Blocks are tougher, but it can happen.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
^ that would suck haha
but I doubt that. the garage isnt heated but its well insulated so I dont think it ever got that cold.
back in high school the car sat out all the time including in winters and I never had any problems, but who knows
I just cleaned up the puddle and if more coolant is there tomorrow then I know something is up.
its probably just pissed it hasnt been driven in a while, and peed on the floor for attention
but I doubt that. the garage isnt heated but its well insulated so I dont think it ever got that cold.
back in high school the car sat out all the time including in winters and I never had any problems, but who knows
I just cleaned up the puddle and if more coolant is there tomorrow then I know something is up.
its probably just pissed it hasnt been driven in a while, and peed on the floor for attention
yea I will check out autozone, I have done the tool rental from them numerous times.
I can see how coolant would leak after a drive because of the heating and cooling cycle, but this car has been sitting for months in storage, the temperature is usually about 30 to 40 degrees since it is winter.
I can see how coolant would leak after a drive because of the heating and cooling cycle, but this car has been sitting for months in storage, the temperature is usually about 30 to 40 degrees since it is winter.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
ok thanks I will keep that in mind, I checked again today and another puddle has formed.
I have nothing much to do today so im getting to the bottom of this today hopefully.
I have nothing much to do today so im getting to the bottom of this today hopefully.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
ok I think I have found where the leak is coming from, It looks to be where the water pump backs up to the engine block, so that seal must be defective.
so I guess its time to replace that seal?
so I guess its time to replace that seal?
Do what? I highly don't think so. There's nothing in Dexcool that makes it corrosive enough to eat through a gasket. The likely cause of this was a gasket or seal drying out. Liquid is constantly trying to find the path of least resistance and when a car is not started for awhile gaskets can become less pliable causing all kinds of avenues for liquid to escape.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
I have the green coolant in my car tho, I think the Dexcool is orange? I could be completely wrong though.
but I went and purchased new gaskets, thermostat, and coolant temp sensor.
now I have another question, I wont be driving the car until may, should I just leave the radiator and everything empty for now and fill it up then? but I heard that leaving it empty can cause rust to form in the coolant passages but what do you think?
but I went and purchased new gaskets, thermostat, and coolant temp sensor.
now I have another question, I wont be driving the car until may, should I just leave the radiator and everything empty for now and fill it up then? but I heard that leaving it empty can cause rust to form in the coolant passages but what do you think?
Don't know about leaving it empty. If you can, put coolant in it and start it once every few weeks and get it up to normal operating temperature. It is very very bad for gaskets and seals (oil or water) to leave an engine dormant for a long period of time.