Possible coolant leak
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 681
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From: Springfield, IL USA
Possible coolant leak
I recently noticed an occasional (I stress only occasional) spot of coolant on my gargae floor under my Ranger. There has actually been two spots - one toward the front of the engine and one further back. I also can smell coolant when I turn the engine off when the engine is at operating temperature. I have checked the coolant level and it has not seemed to go down in the past 2 weeks. I can not seem to visually locate a leak. If I had to guess I would guess that I have a water pump beginning to leak (the engine has 80,000 miles on it).
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 412
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From: St. Louis region
Sounds like a water pump possibly but if you get coolant leaking from farther back on the engine it could be other things such as a hose or maybe even a head gasket. Shine a black light on your engine because Anti-freeze will glow under a black light. That may help you spot the leak, do it while the engine is running and warm or right after running your engine. Just an idea.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Check the radiator inlet/outlets and upper and lower rad hoses for leaks. Also look for cracks in the plastic end tanks on the radiators ...sometimes the end tanks even like to separate from the aluminum cores which causes a leak. Don't forget to check the hoses going to radiator coolant recovery reservoir bottle, as well as the bottle itself.
Inspect the hoses that go to/from the heater core located at the firewall on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Also look for leaks in the hose running from the core to the water diverter valve, and from the diverter valve to the water pump. Obviously, check the water pump seal, as well as the weep hole.
After that, you have to start thinking about intake or head gasket leaks.
IMO, the best time to look for leaks is when the the engine is just started and is warming up, you might also try using a flashlight to really see into the nooks and crannies...
Good luck, hope this helps.
Inspect the hoses that go to/from the heater core located at the firewall on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Also look for leaks in the hose running from the core to the water diverter valve, and from the diverter valve to the water pump. Obviously, check the water pump seal, as well as the weep hole.
After that, you have to start thinking about intake or head gasket leaks.
IMO, the best time to look for leaks is when the the engine is just started and is warming up, you might also try using a flashlight to really see into the nooks and crannies...
Good luck, hope this helps.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 681
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From: Springfield, IL USA
Thanks to all who replied. This weekend when I have time I plan to go over the truck with a fine toothed comb (or little flashlight/blacklight whatever is needed). This leak is so slight I only notice liquid about once a week. At first I thought it was snow or slush melting off the undercarriage however I put a clean piece of cardboard down and noticed a spot about 2 inches in diameter after about a week. I haven't had to add coolant (after a month) so it isn't leaking much. But I want to stop it before it becomes a problem.
So thanks again. This is what makes this site so great!
So thanks again. This is what makes this site so great!
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Down the road,Tx.
It could be any of the above mentioned by others but i found a new leak on mine,the gaskets on the radiator tanks are seeping a little especially in colder weather but the good news is they can put new gaskets on the end tanks.I was quoted $70.00 for both gaskets and rodding the radiator.
