puzzled
 

Our Model A did this last winter & now I find it has done it again. I have maybe 1/2 quart of water on the floor. I can't find any wet spots on the radiator but i am guessing there must be a leak. It doesn't lose coolant at all in the warmer weather. The drip point seems to line up with the front cross member. What do you think?

Re: puzzled
 

Check the water pump. When it's cold, and things shrink, could be losing coolant from the shaft. Tightening the packing nut may solve that.

When a water pump leaks, it can run down the front of the block, down the front motor mount area, and looks like it's coming from the radiator.

Re: puzzled
 

You state "water" in reference to engine coolant. Is is straight water or anti-freeze mix? Water will freeze pretty quick if the temperature gets low enough. The expansion rate will stretch and possibly crack metals. Rubber hose just expands. A lot depends on how hard a freeze event it was.

Re: puzzled
 

I was under my A working on adjusting the steering gear box and drip drip drip, tightened the upper hose clamps no more dripping. Why would a hose just start leaking ? Glad it was in the garage !

Re: puzzled
 

It is a coolant mix, not plain water. It wasn't froze on the floor. I didn't see any water in the area of the front main cap bolts. Usually I will see water there if the pump is dripping.

Re: puzzled
 

Take some toilet paper and start dabbing around on the engine checking for the paper getting wet. Does a really good job of finding elusive coolant leaks.

Re: puzzled
 

I'll have to try the toilet paper trick.

Re: puzzled
 

I have had cooling systems leak a small amount water when cooling down and then quit.
Usually tightening the hose connections cures it.

Re: puzzled
 

Upper hose connection at radiator under neath by the neck loose clamp!

Re: puzzled
 

It wouldn't hurt to tighten all the hose clamps as this could be the source of the leak(s)

Re: puzzled
 

Good ideas on the clamps. I shouldn't assume they are tight.

Re: puzzled
 

or located on hose properly!!

Re: puzzled
 

Water is the only thing that expands in freezing temperatures. Everything else contracts. The rubber hose likely doesn't contract as much as the steel or cast iron hose attachments or the brass radiator hose couplings. Hose clamps may not contract all that much due to the way they are formed.

Re: puzzled
 

My car has always been stored in a basement heated garage until my Mom passed away last year. We liquidated the house and I moved it into a semi-heated warehouse at my business. When the temps got colder I noticed coolant (mix) all over the floor. All the hose connections were leaking as well as the packing nut on the water pump. The temp difference caused everything to loosen up. Tightened it all and no more leaks.....

Re: puzzled