This has been going on for almost a year. Sometimes, it will not leak at all for weeks, then it will start leaking.. usually not a lot.. but enough that I have to refill radiator in mornings(yes, I am running car when I add water/coolant) Thought it may be heater core, but the inside passenger floorboard is never wet and for the length of time this has been going on if it were the heater core, wouldn't it have given out totally by now? Is STOP LEAK a good thing to use or will it cause worse damage? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Hoses and clamps have been checked.. radiator itself does not have a leak(it's been checked). Seems to do it worse in winter. BTW: it has NOT been driven when overheating..I know that's the worse thing to do. It has not overheated a lot either.
Thanks for any input!
2006-10-14 04:25:28 · 14 answers · asked by snappygoddess 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
I'd bet that it's your water pump, but that's just an educated guess.
The fact that you said "It has not overheated a lot either" tells me that you have a serious problem that needs to be looked into. Your car should NEVER overheat!
A pressure test while the engine is cold should quickly reveal the source of the leak.
I don't recommend STOP LEAK except as a VERY temporary fix. That stuff can clog the radiator (and the heater core) and cause additional problems with time.
Just because you're not seeing any coolant in the passenger compartment does NOT mean that it can't be the heater core, by the way. Most cars use a sealed plenum with a drain line to the outside to deal with condensation from the AC system. A leaking heater core may well not leak coolant into the passenger compartment but it will certainly show up coming from the condensate drain line under the car.
2006-10-14 04:33:44 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Knowing the model would be nice, not knowing that I have the following suggestion, find someone that knows a tool that pressurizes the cooling system and pump it up to about 15 pounds. You can borrow this tool from Autozone, but you need to leave a deposit, about 60$. Once it is pressurized the leak will usually show it self within 5 minutes. It is best to get a good light of some sort and crawl under the car and look around. It could also be a freeze plug if it is an older car, they corrode from the inside and develop pinholes which will fake you out because they will seal intermittently when some particles go along with the water that is leaking, as corrosion again makes another hole, it leaks again.
2006-10-14 04:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by Robert D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What kind of car is it? My first suggestion is to check the top and sides of the radiator, tiny cracks can seep water and water will run down the side of the radiator. I would also check the hoses again. Run your hand down each hose to feel for water. If the hoses are older, they could have pin holes in them, causing leaks. Lastly, if your air conditioner compressor is on the right side of the car, it could be condensation from the compressor. Even in the winter, the compressor works to remove condensation from the interior of the car. If you take the car into a garage, they can put a fluid in the water that will turn flourescent when a black light is used. These are the best sugestions I can give because it could also be a head gasket or water pump leak. The black light will spot it immediately. Good luck, been there and found water leaks can be difficult to trace.
2006-10-14 04:48:16 · answer #3 · answered by Bob R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Snappy,
Sounds like you've covered most of the bases! The only other thing is condensate from the air conditioner, (at the right front of the car.) That would certainly not require added water though. I would not try a stop-leak...for fear of causing other trouble. I've never tried it myself. Oh well, can't think of anything else; good luck!
Butch
2006-10-14 04:39:49 · answer #4 · answered by Butch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The location of the leak is important,right side of car is the front of the engine on most import front wheeldrive vehices.Engine water pump could be the problem. I recommend a coolant system pressure test to verify system integrity.
2006-10-14 15:58:39 · answer #5 · answered by Hank 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
might be the waterpump or a seal leaking in the block did u happen to notice a sweet smell in side the car if so heater core you might look around the senders on the engine should leave a greenish trail behind if so
2006-10-14 04:32:49 · answer #6 · answered by raudidave 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the basics first. Is or was your a/c on? Coz if it was then you have to know the difference between a leak or water coming from the a/c being on.
2006-10-14 06:08:59 · answer #7 · answered by JP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's only when you turn on the A/C then it's normal. The water come from the A/C condenser. When it cools the air, moisture is pulled from it and drains off of the coils. It's remotely the same thing as rain. When the water vapor in the air cools enough, it falls from the sky.
2016-03-28 08:48:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had little leaks like that, I used stop leak It works good
but its temporary,its never harmed my engine,But if its your water pump it wont help, you half to get that fixed
2006-10-14 04:38:00 · answer #9 · answered by Richie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there might be many things
1 if you have topped up the radioator there is a over flow bottle that needs a little amount of coolent in it so it can suck it back when it gets cool
2 A/C to cold and frosting up or blocked drain for the unit
2006-10-14 04:34:46 · answer #10 · answered by jay c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋