Burning coolant question
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Burning coolant question
Hi there
I just bought a truck from the company at which I work. I purchaced the truck cheap, as it was in a LOW-SPEED rollover. There was very minimal damage, but it has been burning coolant since the accident. This evening, I performed a leak-down test, and found that all cylinders are holding pressure. Does this mean that my leak is up-stream of the cylinder (i.e. intake gasket). Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!
Colin
I just bought a truck from the company at which I work. I purchaced the truck cheap, as it was in a LOW-SPEED rollover. There was very minimal damage, but it has been burning coolant since the accident. This evening, I performed a leak-down test, and found that all cylinders are holding pressure. Does this mean that my leak is up-stream of the cylinder (i.e. intake gasket). Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!
Colin
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
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Yeah, if its blowing white smoke out the pipe. What year and engine? Did the hood get tapped when it rolled, like maybe the upper intake (if fuel injected) got pushed around a bit?
Oh, wait a minute, are there small coolant lines that go to/from a spacer just behind the throttle body? If so, a leak there would go right into the intake air stream. If so, you could disconnect those hoses from the throttle body, and just connect the hose ends together with a piece of tubing and clamps to test out the idea.
If it then runs like crap, then that could say there is a leak in that piece. The "run like crap" would come from the leak becoming a vacuum leak. But if it is small enough, the engine may run fine, but would still drink coolant when the hoses are hooked up. It's just a thought.
Oh, wait a minute, are there small coolant lines that go to/from a spacer just behind the throttle body? If so, a leak there would go right into the intake air stream. If so, you could disconnect those hoses from the throttle body, and just connect the hose ends together with a piece of tubing and clamps to test out the idea.
If it then runs like crap, then that could say there is a leak in that piece. The "run like crap" would come from the leak becoming a vacuum leak. But if it is small enough, the engine may run fine, but would still drink coolant when the hoses are hooked up. It's just a thought.
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It's a 1994 f-150 5.8 4x4 xl ext cab shrt box. There was absolutely no damage to the hood. All the truck did was fall on it's side. There is white smoke coming from the exhaust, especially when gunning the engine. I will try the cooling line, thx Torky2. As far as a leak in the water pump, I am doubtful that is the sourse, how would coolant enter the engine from the water pump. Remember the coolant is being combusted, not simply leaking. Thanks for the help guys.
Colin
Colin
