Mystery Water Leak

[mgambuzza]

Been quite a while since I posted/queried. We bought an old house needing complete restoration (1835), along with a barn on its last leg. It took a year to get the barn back, stabilized, and straightened, so I could finally get my A in so I could work on it again.

Two items sprung up from the drive to the new location (40 miles), and then sitting for almost a year and a half. The fuel shutoff failed, allowing the tank over the winter to leak on the driveway(ouch) and a pretty significant water leak while driving.



The shutoff, now with the tank empty was a snap, and now works flawlessly. The water leak I initially thought was the radiator due to the volume and proximity of the apparent leak. I replaced the radiator, but again, I'm experiencing water leaks (that I really cannot see when idle - seems when driving). Wondering if it could possibly be the water pump leaking while I'm driving, as I cannot see while it is in motion. Picture below - wondering what type it is, and opinion on what I would best replace it with.

[Thodge]

Nice job on the barn. As for a water pump leak, I would think it would leak all the time and leave some residual coolant on the pump housing and front of the engine. I know that’s what mine was doing before I replaced it. Where is the residual fluid that you’re finding? If it’s in the front crossmember I would suspect that it’s pushing coolant out the overflow for some reason. I had that issue as well because of a missing radiator baffle. You replaced the radiator so that should rule out restricted flow or a missing baffle in the radiator. Possibly a bad head gasket introducing pressure into the system.

[Bob Johnson]

You say it does not leak when at idle and you can not see when it is in motion. How do you know it is leaking? Are there traces of water anywhere in the engine bay? Is there a trail of water left behind when in motion? Could it be just water coming out the overflow tube? When you fill the radiator how high do you fill it? If you fill it all the way up you will get water coming out of the overflow when the engine warms up.



Bob

[Y-Blockhead]

Add some fluorescent dye to your radiator and shine a UV light on areas where you have a suspected leak. It glows green and you can trace it back to the source. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...mics+375&pos=4

[mgambuzza]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Add some fluorescent dye to your radiator and shine a UV light on areas where you have a suspected leak. It glows green and you can trace it back to the source. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...mics+375&pos=4

I purchased this today. Once I have another moment to clean the engine, I'll add and see if I can find where the source is. Thank you

[old31]

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Awsome job with the barn. A great look to the front.

If you can not see any possible signs of water leaking, it could be a head gasket that is starting and slowly sucking water out of the engine. Its not bad enough were you would see white smoke coming out of the tailpipe.

[Dick M]

I would check the head gasket. Do a compression test. If your head gasket is bad, you can have two possible cooling system leaks. One, compression leaks into the cooling system, pressurizing the radiator, and forces out water through the overflow tube. Two, water leaks into a cylinder and the exhaust system forces out water through the tail pipe when the engine is under a load.

[ronn]

If youre not seeing water leak from the engine and no white smoke, I would chg out the water pump first. just because its easier.


they tend to drip from sitting.
what area of Cuse are you in?

[mgambuzza]

Originally Posted by ronn

If youre not seeing water leak from the engine and no white smoke, I would chg out the water pump first. just because its easier.


they tend to drip from sitting.
what area of Cuse are you in?

I can do that - recommend the sealed or with grease fittings (I do the lubing myself).


I have to update - I used to be a block from Shotwell Park in Eastwood. I am now in Auburn.

[Bob Bidonde]

mgambuzza, I urge you to replace the fan on your car with a reproduction cast aluminum one. The fan you are running is prone to fatigue cracking and throwing a blade. Failure typically occurs at the bolt holes attaching the fan to the hub.

[mgambuzza]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

mgambuzza, I urge you to replace the fan on your car with a reproduction cast aluminum one. The fan you are running is prone to fatigue cracking and throwing a blade. Failure typically occurs at the bolt holes attaching the fan to the hub.

Excellent advice - I will also order this with the water pump and check off a couple additional items for the old girl. Thank you!


Update - wow, going through all my regular suppliers and it seems there is zero supply of two blade fans. I'll keep an eye out for them.

[Jim/GA]

Water pump.

[Keith]

Check you upper and lower hose clamps, If the car was sitting for a long period the hoses could have a loose connection