Coolant leak / system pressure...
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kailua-Kona, HI
Coolant leak / system pressure... Guys, my girl was pulling out of the driveway yesterday and I noticed a decent amount of what looked to be trans fluid or p.s. fluid on the ground. She drove it 3 miles to work and back - 6 miles total.
I had her park on the street that night to not stain the driveway.
Long story short, ots a coolant leak. I looked underneath and saw the water pump leaking from one side where it meets tje block, and also from the meziere electric pump where it seals on the front. I put this meziere unit on about 2 yrs ago, have had zero issues.
So I go to take the radiator cap off and POP, the thing all but flew off the radiator and was obviously under some pressure. Keep in mind the car was cold at this point and had not been ran all day.
What could that pressure be from? Kinda weird the the pump spring a leak in two different areas that quick. The pressure concerns me. I refilled the coolant to see how much ot had lost, and it only took a quart or less.
I'll have more time for diag tommorow.
Anyone know why the cap would have had so much pressure?
I had her park on the street that night to not stain the driveway.
Long story short, ots a coolant leak. I looked underneath and saw the water pump leaking from one side where it meets tje block, and also from the meziere electric pump where it seals on the front. I put this meziere unit on about 2 yrs ago, have had zero issues.
So I go to take the radiator cap off and POP, the thing all but flew off the radiator and was obviously under some pressure. Keep in mind the car was cold at this point and had not been ran all day.
What could that pressure be from? Kinda weird the the pump spring a leak in two different areas that quick. The pressure concerns me. I refilled the coolant to see how much ot had lost, and it only took a quart or less.
I'll have more time for diag tommorow.
Anyone know why the cap would have had so much pressure?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kailua-Kona, HI
Highly doubtful it's a head gasket leaking externally. Rent a pressure tester from the parts store and put no more than 18psi of pressure into the system and check again for leaks. If it's leaking next to the block then it's most likely either the w/p gasket. The two bottom bolts on each side of the pump are tapped into the water jackets which means they could be leaking as well.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kailua-Kona, HI
Highly doubtful it's a head gasket leaking externally. Rent a pressure tester from the parts store and put no more than 18psi of pressure into the system and check again for leaks. If it's leaking next to the block then it's most likely either the w/p gasket. The two bottom bolts on each side of the pump are tapped into the water jackets which means they could be leaking as well.
I really sealed up the water pump good when I installed the meziere 2 years ago...
Not at all, but if there is extra pressure in the cooling system it will find the easiest way out, which would be through the cap and into the reservoir. That's assuming everything within the system is up to par. Not sure which side you are seeing the coolant on, but if it's on the passenger side then check the steam pipe line as well as the TB coolant line (if still applicable).
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kailua-Kona, HI
I can see the leak coming from the block to water pump seal on the passengers side. Also a smaller leak coming from the seal where the electric unit (meziere) seals up.
I'm gonna do the chemical test to make sure is isn't exhaust gas, then go ahead and re-seal the W.P. and go from there.
Thanks for the help guys.
-Matt
I'm gonna do the chemical test to make sure is isn't exhaust gas, then go ahead and re-seal the W.P. and go from there.
Thanks for the help guys.
-Matt
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kailua-Kona, HI
Yeah total BS this is. But she went for 150k miles so I guess I can't expect much more.
Just spent almost $600 yesterday on our 300ZX to pay registration and stuff to get it back on the road.
Now this, and on top of that I need to build a motor for my Trans Am, but now the funds have to go to the Camaro.
Guess its time for heads/cam. Freight out here to Hawaii sucks ***. And I'm gonna just grab a whole different motor in case there's a cracked wall in the cylinder or something. Picking up a used 80k miles motor from a friend tomorrow for cheap.
Hopefully the bottom end won't need much work.
Just spent almost $600 yesterday on our 300ZX to pay registration and stuff to get it back on the road.
Now this, and on top of that I need to build a motor for my Trans Am, but now the funds have to go to the Camaro.
Guess its time for heads/cam. Freight out here to Hawaii sucks ***. And I'm gonna just grab a whole different motor in case there's a cracked wall in the cylinder or something. Picking up a used 80k miles motor from a friend tomorrow for cheap.
Hopefully the bottom end won't need much work.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kailua-Kona, HI
On a side note,
I picked up a used longblock with 85k on it for $200.
So I'm gonna do a light rebuild on the shortblock and go with an LE1 set up.
Will Ion be able to do a good Daily driver tune on it? Hope so.
