Antifreeze Leak - Lone Star Stangs

Golden · 06-19-2009, 05:07 PM

1997 V6 3.8L manual
I'm leaking antifreeze. The radiator is not leaking and the cap is good. I replaced the thermostat and ring about a month ago. I do not believe it is leaking from the water pump. The lower radiator hose, driver's side, has a drip at the lowest part that appears to be coming from the end that connects to the engine. There is coolant on the area right behind the oil filter, (transmission?) and below that, (camshaft?). The car does not run hot all the time, it's rather sporadic, although it has never reach the red line. My oil is fine, not milky and I do not have any white smoke. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ImpactStang · 06-19-2009, 08:51 PM

intake manifold?

88GT · 06-20-2009, 08:37 AM

do a pressure test

Golden · 06-20-2009, 08:46 AM

Pressure Test? I already know there's a leak. Will that tell me anything more?
Intake manifold? How would I know if that's the culprit?
Thanks for the input.

**AdRock** · 06-20-2009, 12:20 PM

Put some dye like this stuff Fluorescent Leak Detector Dye (Cooling Systems/Body Leaks) - INTLD-CS-2P in the cooling system and top it off. Go to the car was and clean off the engine. Then drive it for a while. Once it's leaking again use a black light to trace the stream back to it's origin.

Golden · 06-20-2009, 02:04 PM

Is stainless steel or silicone better for a new radiator hose? That might be part of the problem.

**John#21** · 06-20-2009, 03:27 PM

first, temp gauges from the factory are terrible. Get an aftermarket guage to get a more accurate reading.

Second, if you know where the leak is coming from why don't you fix it already? Fix the one with a drip and look again to see if there is additional leaks.

Golden · 06-21-2009, 10:24 AM

If I knew where the drip was coming from exactly, I would have fixed it and not posted for help. There are a few wet spots and I wanted help to try and pinpoint the area before I started pulling parts, running tests, etc. But hey, at least you responded.

Golden · 06-21-2009, 05:06 PM

Okay, I cleaned everything off and it appears the leak is coming from somewhere near the lower hose, but I can't quite see where. The hose is clean near the clamp, but about 2 inches away, on the water pump, it's wet. I can't find the weep hole to save my life!

Stephen · 06-23-2009, 12:36 PM

Listen to the people above... Get some dye and run your car. My first car was a 6er that for some reason leaked water slowly from behind the timing cover/chain... never fixed it but I spent a bunch of money replacing parts that didn't need to be replaced.

XavB · 06-23-2009, 12:42 PM

pressure test will put pressure into the system so that if there is a leak, coolant will come out. that way you can see where the leak is at without driving your car around.

**12second5.0** · 07-04-2009, 01:25 PM

These particular year V6's were bad about the timing cover leaking. I would look it over really well. Also if you can get it up on a lift you can clearly see where it is coming from.

06-19-2009, 05:07 PM	#1
Golden Mine in '09! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Red Oak Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Antifreeze Leak 1997 V6 3.8L manual I'm leaking antifreeze. The radiator is not leaking and the cap is good. I replaced the thermostat and ring about a month ago. I do not believe it is leaking from the water pump. The lower radiator hose, driver's side, has a drip at the lowest part that appears to be coming from the end that connects to the engine. There is coolant on the area right behind the oil filter, (transmission?) and below that, (camshaft?). The car does not run hot all the time, it's rather sporadic, although it has never reach the red line. My oil is fine, not milky and I do not have any white smoke. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

06-20-2009, 12:20 PM	#5
AdRock We're debt free bitches. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: On The Move Posts: 6,102 iTrader: (7) My Mustang Pictures	Put some dye like this stuff Fluorescent Leak Detector Dye (Cooling Systems/Body Leaks) - INTLD-CS-2P in the cooling system and top it off. Go to the car was and clean off the engine. Then drive it for a while. Once it's leaking again use a black light to trace the stream back to it's origin. __________________ '02 Stang GT Just cause you don't understand what's going on ...don't mean it don't make no sense And just cause you don't like it,...don't mean it aint no good And let me tell you something Before you go taking a walk in my world,...you better take a look at the real world Cause this aint no Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Can you say "feel like shit?"Yea maybe sometimes I do feel like shit I aint happy about it, but I'd rather feel like shit than be full of shit! And if I offended you, Oh I'm sorry, But, maybe you need to be offended But here's my apology and one more thing........Fuck you! Cause you can't bring me down

06-23-2009, 12:42 PM	#11
XavB LoneStarStangs Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 894 iTrader: (1) My Mustang Pictures	pressure test will put pressure into the system so that if there is a leak, coolant will come out. that way you can see where the leak is at without driving your car around. __________________ 2003 DSG Mach 1 - Pro 5.0 shifter, Magnapack catback, 31 spline Moser axles, 31 spline Ford Diff, FRPP 4.30s, and Diablo tuner Sold - 1992 LX 5.0 - TF HCI, other mods -280.6hp/325.5tq

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06-20-2009, 08:37 AM	#3
88GT LoneStarStangs Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 822 iTrader: (5)	do a pressure test

06-20-2009, 08:46 AM	#4
Golden Mine in '09! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Red Oak Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Pressure Test? I already know there's a leak. Will that tell me anything more? Intake manifold? How would I know if that's the culprit? Thanks for the input.

06-20-2009, 02:04 PM	#6
Golden Mine in '09! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Red Oak Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Is stainless steel or silicone better for a new radiator hose? That might be part of the problem.

06-21-2009, 10:24 AM	#8
Golden Mine in '09! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Red Oak Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	If I knew where the drip was coming from exactly, I would have fixed it and not posted for help. There are a few wet spots and I wanted help to try and pinpoint the area before I started pulling parts, running tests, etc. But hey, at least you responded.

06-21-2009, 05:06 PM	#9
Golden Mine in '09! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Red Oak Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Okay, I cleaned everything off and it appears the leak is coming from somewhere near the lower hose, but I can't quite see where. The hose is clean near the clamp, but about 2 inches away, on the water pump, it's wet. I can't find the weep hole to save my life!

06-23-2009, 12:36 PM	#10
Stephen LoneStarStangs Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 206 iTrader: (0)	Listen to the people above... Get some dye and run your car. My first car was a 6er that for some reason leaked water slowly from behind the timing cover/chain... never fixed it but I spent a bunch of money replacing parts that didn't need to be replaced.