The Ford Barn

mgtf1500 · 02-07-2022, 01:56 PM

I took my A out of winter storage. After warming the engine I put the car back into the garage. After shut down about a cup of coolant ran onto the floor. All I could tell was the cooant was coming from front middle of engine area. Did something break over the winter.

1crosscut · 02-07-2022, 06:21 PM

Check each of your hose clamps to see if they are tight.
Take a wad of toilet paper and dab it around the hose fittings, water pump etc... and check the paper for wetness as you go.

Are you running an antifreeze solution?

Check the torque on the head bolts. Maybe have a head gasket leak and it pushed some coolant out.

katy · 02-08-2022, 11:10 AM

Did you top up the coolant before starting?

nkaminar · 02-09-2022, 07:15 AM

As Katy alluded to, as the coolant expands the excess will run out the overflow pipe. Check for wetness there too. Depending on how your overflow pipe is situated the coolant can run down the frame cross member and drip at the center where a hole is.

chap52 · 02-10-2022, 07:14 AM

It's amazing how these cars decide the coolant level they like and keep reminding you of their decision. You check the level, add to cover the baffles and drive. I car gets rid of the extra coolant to return to "It's" happy place. Then we continue to top it off until we finally just give up...All is well. Life lesson number 221397576... Chap

eagle · 02-10-2022, 12:11 PM

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To help troubleshoot, push an appropriate sized hose onto the overflow tube and run it to a container of some type in the engine bay. A quart oil container hanging on a hood support rod will work. It'll collect the coolant so it doesn't run all over if its coming out the overflow. Make sure the radiator cap is sealed too, use a rubber gasket or Oring under the cap.

02-07-2022, 01:56 PM	#1
mgtf1500 Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newark, Ohio Posts: 27	Search for overflow coolant after idle engine I took my A out of winter storage. After warming the engine I put the car back into the garage. After shut down about a cup of coolant ran onto the floor. All I could tell was the cooant was coming from front middle of engine area. Did something break over the winter.

02-07-2022, 06:21 PM	#2
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,941	Re: Search for overflow coolant after idle engine Check each of your hose clamps to see if they are tight. Take a wad of toilet paper and dab it around the hose fittings, water pump etc... and check the paper for wetness as you go. Are you running an antifreeze solution? Check the torque on the head bolts. Maybe have a head gasket leak and it pushed some coolant out. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

02-08-2022, 11:10 AM	#3
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,109	Re: Search for overflow coolant after idle engine Did you top up the coolant before starting? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

02-09-2022, 07:15 AM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,145	Re: Search for overflow coolant after idle engine As Katy alluded to, as the coolant expands the excess will run out the overflow pipe. Check for wetness there too. Depending on how your overflow pipe is situated the coolant can run down the frame cross member and drip at the center where a hole is. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-10-2022, 07:14 AM	#5
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,778	Re: Search for overflow coolant after idle engine It's amazing how these cars decide the coolant level they like and keep reminding you of their decision. You check the level, add to cover the baffles and drive. I car gets rid of the extra coolant to return to "It's" happy place. Then we continue to top it off until we finally just give up...All is well. Life lesson number 221397576... Chap

02-10-2022, 12:11 PM	#6
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,033	Re: Search for overflow coolant after idle engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To help troubleshoot, push an appropriate sized hose onto the overflow tube and run it to a container of some type in the engine bay. A quart oil container hanging on a hood support rod will work. It'll collect the coolant so it doesn't run all over if its coming out the overflow. Make sure the radiator cap is sealed too, use a rubber gasket or Oring under the cap. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."