Water consumption

[Russell Reay]

Since putting my car on the road, I have made several trips around town totaling a bit over 150 miles. After the engine has cooled after each trip, I need to add some water---1 1/2 to 2 qts per 50 miles. The thermometer on the quail shows no overheating, there are no leaks to the outside, there is no evidence of leaking into the crankcase, and no white smoke or other hint of leak into the cylinders. New BW radiator.. Is this amount of water loss normal, or do I have a problem not yet evident to me?

[The Master Cylinder]

How full are you filling the radiator? Too full and it will come out the overflow when the water warms up and expands. Just fill to cover the tubes.

[Russell Reay]

Originally Posted by The Master Cylinder

How full are you filling the radiator? Too full and it will come out the overflow when the water warms up and expands. Just fill to cover the tubes.

There is a baffle which blocks view of the top of the tubes. I fill it until I can just see a water surface

[Jim/GA]

What speed are you driving?

What do you know about the water pump that is on the engine? Did you put it on? How old is it? Is it the original style pump with the packing on the shaft?

Adding 1.5 to 2 quarts per 50 miles is not normal (though I have seen it often).

[Russell Reay]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

What speed are you driving?

What do you know about the water pump that is on the engine? Did you put it on? How old is it? Is it the original style pump with the packing on the shaft?

Adding 1.5 to 2 quarts per 50 miles is not normal (though I have seen it often).

I believe it is a leakless water pump. Came with the car and appears to be new-ish. In my area I can drive at speeds to keep up with traffic. I rarely exceed 50, but I don't need to. Car doesn't want to go much faster.

[TMarsh]

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Had the exact same problem. Turns out I had the fan belt to tight and it was leaking even though it is a leakless pump. Only leaked when running. Had an ornamental leather cover over the water pump shaft and it was masking the leak.

[Kurt in NJ]

For my car which has antifreeze perhaps a pint a year with stock water pump .
The stock water pump is a leaks less and less,had to adjust th packing several times at first,now it’s been years since it dripped.

[German guy]

The effective radiator fill level is far lower than is normal in modern cars. If you can see coolant when you open the cap it is over-filled. The car will spit out the excess one way or another...often leading to consternation over it spitting out of the cap when under load. Mine did it constantly until I learned not to keep topping it off. If it is not overheating...it is not low on coolant.

[nkaminar]

If your Model A drinks too much water it will piss on the road.

[Big hammer]

New BW radiator, is the overflow tube inside bent like in the ford service bulletins ?
Some have put a roofing nail that blocks coolant from pissing out on the road

Question ? Will water used as coolant come out of the tail pipe show up as a white smoke, I would pull the spark plugs and compare them and see if one or two are cleaner.

1/2 gallon of coolant in 50 miles is not normal, where it’s going is not normal, I would try some sealer in the coolant

[Bob Bidonde]

This slide depicts the advice from the posts above re filling the radiator.

[Jim/GA]

The following is not a very popular opinion, so please don't shoot the messenger, but here it is anyway:

Put in a water pump with the "cut down" impeller.

I know several guys that have had success with this approach, where changing the water pump was the only thing they did.

Many people will tell you that this cut down impeller solution is just masking another problem. That might be. But it works. That's what matters.

I will also point out that the new water pump with the cut down impeller also gives you a new seal on the shaft, and a new shaft. Perhaps THAT is why the water loss stops? I don't know. But the water loss stops and all are happy.

.

[katy]

If you drive 50 miles and it hasn't overheated, you're probably just adding too much water. Stop adding water after each run, keep an eye on the temperature. Carry a gallon or 2 of water "just in case".

[Y-Blockhead]

I usually check my coolant level when it is warmed. This is your "operating" level.Then I fill it to just below the baffle.

[town sedan]

Great reply and illustration. Thanx

[Herb Concord Ca]

X2 on what Y-blockhead said in post #14.

[German guy]

If it is bowing out the tail pipe you probably have a blown head gasket.

[Planojc]

Check the water pipe petcock for a slow leak.

[Dick M]

You might also do a compression test to see if the head gasket is intact. If it is not intact, you may be pushing water out your tailpipe or you may be leaking compression into the cooling system and then pushing water out of your overflow tube...

[Russell Reay]

Update--I did a compression test on a warmed up engine, and had 65-63-63-67. I think that is pretty good, so no head gasket leak. Based on comments, I feel I have a case of newbie-itis which will correct itself over time.