Pressure Test Coolant leak where is this coming from.

87CandyBlueT

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Feb 8, 2006
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I was performing Pressure Test #3 a few minutes ago. Well I could see my Upper Rad. Hose leaking but their was bigger leak coming from up above/behind the water pump(Didn't seem to be coming from the water pump or around the WP sealing area but up and behind it., I changed the water pump last year with a new felpro gasket after the pulley locked up -bearings-) Where is this coolant coming from? Any ideas or anyone experienced this before. Under the car it seemed be dripping near dead center of the oil pan. It was pouring out pretty good around 21-22PSI on the tester gauge. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.
 

GrimJack

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Above the water pump is the thermostat housing, which has a bunch of lines coming off it, any one of which could be causing your leakage. There are two coming off the back that go to the turbo, and another one off the bottom that goes to the coolant hard line that runs around the block, eventually feeding the throttle body coolant line and the ISC coolant line.

IMG_4747.jpg
 

87CandyBlueT

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This is more toward the center/right of the water pump and leaks down clearing the right side of the water pump assembly. Could this still be the thermo. housing?
 

GrimJack

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Unlikely. :(

If you are talking about towards the battery location from the water pump, the only thing carrying water in that direction that I can think of is the water jacket around cylinder #1, which would mean a leak in your head gasket more than likely.
 

87CandyBlueT

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Feb 8, 2006
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Okay I have been thinking since Friday night when the car was first driven after being parked all winter. I had waterfall sound(air in system), temp gauge would spike all the way up at high rpm 3-5psi boost(didn't boost over 5-6PSI).

*Edit* I also burped the system a few times that night and pressure tested it twice and their were no visible leaks but I do think that the car ran hot but can't say for sure, It seemed to be running rough and I thought it could be hot I shut it off and the temp gauge went all the way up with the engine not running and key in ON position(was around middle ways before I shut it off) It wouldn't go down forever so on side of interstate in pitch black with a flash light I looked in the overflow and the coolant wasn't boiling or anything, upper radiator hose was hot enough to burn your hands, car was burped running maybe 12-15 mins. before this and then driving at low boost/didnt boost a lot for another 15-20 minutes.

So that would explain it. I have been trying to locate a block tester.

I will inspect tomorrow in the Day time if the rain lets up. See If I can determine for sure where the leak is. It may be leaking elsewhere and only place I can see it drip from is looking from the front of car standing about a 1.5 feet away bent down looking under the Upper radiator hose and above the water pump it is dripping down there. Pretty heavily. Thing is the car really doesn't show any other signs of BHG. No Oil in coolant, no milkshake at oil filler cap. I thought maybe if it was a leaking hg that it was a very slight leak and was contemplating a full rebuild with a few extras. However I do want to determine it's a BHG for sure before putting it down again at the beginning of nice weather here. If it's not a BHG rebuild will begin this winter when I'm more prepared and moved into home with large 2 car garage.

Going to look at possibly my first home w/ a large 2 car garage.(NO MORE RENTING! WOO HOO!)
 
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