i know there is a coolent leak for three reasons. The coolent is always needing to be refilled, there is coolent on the ground, and there is always coolent on the underside of the engine.(i know its coolent because its green) the problem is i cant find out where the leak is, and the truth is i dont even know where to look! Is there a easy way to find out where the leak is and to fix it. Could anyone help with that or with ideas of what it would take and the cost of having the coolent lines replaced. Thanks

 

Best time to check for coolant leaks is right after you have run it for a while. This way if the leak is a "pressure leak" the cooling system will still be hot and under pressure so pinpointing the location is easier. Need to know the general vicinity of the leak or at least where the coolant seems to be pooling or puddling, other than just "under the truck". Could be any munber of locations.

 

I'd check the waterpump and it's general vicinity first. In my case the gasket between the pump and engine just slowly disintegrated (the bearing and main seal was OK!) . It was kinda difficult to see from where the coolant was coming from because the coolant ran down on the engine and ended up dripping far from the actual leak.

 

there is coolent on the front bottom of the oil pan and what i can tell is a metal protector plate behid the front axal. if that give you any ideas. thanks

 

I used to have a lot of problems keeping coolant in my Bronco. I don't know why, it did not have too much pressure or extremely dirty coolant that would corrode things, it was well maintained. But every time I would fix one leak, another one would pop up. However, I fixed it for good, it has not leaked any coolant in over two years and about 30,000 miles. Here is a list of what I replaced - virtually everything and anything that contacts the coolant!

Upper radiator hose
Lower radiator hose
All heater hoses
All hoses that go to the throttle body including metal/rubber one on top of radiator
All other hoses, there are a couple more
All new clamps
Coolant overflow tank and hose
Thermostat and gasket
Water pump
Radiator
Radiator cap
Heater core
Intake manifold gasket
one freeze plug

I probably forgot some stuff there too. Some of those parts were replaced before they started leaking, given the amount of trouble that I was having. For example, the heater core never leaked but I am sure that it was coming. So I put in a new one. I don't know whay I had so much trouble. Many times it would be fine until a very cold night, and I would come out in the morning to go to work and see a big green puddle under it and start cursing...

A couple of times it was simply that the clamps needed tightening. One lesson that I have learned with my Bronco is to re-torque all of the hose clamps twice a year. Once when it starts to get cold, and once when it starts warming up.

My Bronco has been coolant-tight for a long time now. There is nothing left to leak!

 

Water pump is right abouve that location and as has been mentioned, upper and lower radiator hoses run to it along with both heater hoses. The water pump should be checked at the "weep hole" in the bottom of the pump casting. If this hole is emitting coolant, the water pump is near the end of its life and should be replaced. Otherwise, you are most likely just dealing with leaking hose ends (check clamps) or old hoses that are developing pressure leaks.

 

how much does a new water pump cost?

 

Around $40-$70 depending on where you go and who is having a sale at the moment. Water pumps are usually new, not remanufactured; so you won't need to turn in a core.

 

I had a leak on a 94 XLT 5.8. Pressure tested the radiator and checked the lines, now problems. Checked the waterpump to. Could smell the radiator fluid around where the water goes into the engine block at the thermostat. Turns out I had a manifold bolt rust off inside the engine and the fluid was leaking out of the engine block. I understand that there is a reservior inside the block just to the side of the bolt, front right side of the engine. Replaced bolt (with a lot of headache) and all is well. GOood luck.

 

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I've heard you can find a coolant leak by using a black light to see the anti-freeze. I've never tried it so I don't know if it works or not but it may be worth a shot.