water going somewhere
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 162
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From: Fayetteville, GA
water going somewhere
I have a interesting problem. I am loosing water from the rad somewhere and I can't figgure out where it is going. The oil is fine and it isn't steaming at all out the tail pipe. I can't see it leaking from anywhere and it has a new cap on it so it isn't just flowing out the top. it is full to the right place, not overfull, but to illistrate how much is going, after driving the truck for about 2 weeks I had to put in a gallon just to get the level over the fins. the truck got quite warm but I am pretty sure that it didn't hurt anything. ( least I hope) any ideas where it could be going? and I have never seen steam from under the hood either. not the heater core either, no moisture inside the truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
I agree. A gallon in a day might show signs of steam, but that quantity over a longer period of time like two weeks may not be very noticeable.
Radiator pressure test kits are cheap, and very valuable tools. Simply stick the tool on the radiator neck, and pressure it up. The gauge will tell you if a leak is present. An external leak can be detected very easily.
Just for the fun of it, I know you have checked the oil, but did you inspect the underside of the oil filler cap, or the underside of a valve cover? I ask because there might not be enough water to puddle in the oil, but it still could be presesnt. The heat of the engine could be trying to burn off the water, and you will see a fair amount of condensation in the filler, and under a valve cover. either way there is a problem, and I am sure you will find it.
Good luck.
Radiator pressure test kits are cheap, and very valuable tools. Simply stick the tool on the radiator neck, and pressure it up. The gauge will tell you if a leak is present. An external leak can be detected very easily.
Just for the fun of it, I know you have checked the oil, but did you inspect the underside of the oil filler cap, or the underside of a valve cover? I ask because there might not be enough water to puddle in the oil, but it still could be presesnt. The heat of the engine could be trying to burn off the water, and you will see a fair amount of condensation in the filler, and under a valve cover. either way there is a problem, and I am sure you will find it.
Good luck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: hohenwald, tn
do a pressure test. if the leak is external you should be able to see it. check your local parts stores, some loan tools for free or a deposit. some of those guys are good enough to help. the guys at my local advance helped me remove my caliper brackets and change them over to the new ones.
