Coolant leak at Heat Exchanger

We realize that posting pictures to this forum can be problematic; some long-time users have trouble. If you are having these problems, we would at least appreciate a more complete description of the problem. What year and model of vehicle? I know of no stock application where the crossover ties into anything that has a connection to the cooling system, so this must be some aftermarket setup. The more detail you can provide, the better off we all are.
 
fortyman said:
What would cause coolant to leak from where the heat exchanger ties in to the crossover pipe on a flathead v8?
Click to expand...

Yes, as others have stated, a photo would help.
However, knowing what a heat exchanger is (hot air heater part) and where it is, there are two likely suspects.

Most likely (I'm guessing here of course) the coolant is running down over the pipe and dripping from there. If that is in fact the case, look for a leaking head gasket.

If the coolant is leaking from inside the pipe, my guess is a cracked block.

Are you finding it necessary to add coolant to the system? Does the engine run hotter than it did prior to this leak showing up?

Have you inspected the entire area carefully? Usually, one can see a trail of sorts where the coolant has leaked and dried.

Hopefully, this is nothing more than a water pump leaking, blowing back, and dripping off the pipe.
 

Attachments

  • hotairh1MK.jpg
    hotairh1MK.jpg
    33.1 KB · Views: 24
Just figured out how to post picture. The liquid comes out the area where it looks like a slit in the heat exchanger unit that goes into the crossover pipe. I can't recall if the crossover pipe was in this same location or if the pipe could have slipped down some. It doesn't seem to be loose. The car is a 1940 ford v8 flathead. I have been restoring it for a few years and just got it running about a month ago.
 
fortyman said:
Just figured out how to post picture. The liquid comes out the area where it looks like a slit in the heat exchanger unit that goes into the crossover pipe. I can't recall if the crossover pipe was in this same location or if the pipe could have slipped down some. It doesn't seem to be loose. The car is a 1940 ford v8 flathead. I have been restoring it for a few years and just got it running about a month ago.
Click to expand...
503080
 
fortyman said:
Just figured out how to post picture. The liquid comes out the area where it looks like a slit in the heat exchanger unit that goes into the crossover pipe. I can't recall if the crossover pipe was in this same location or if the pipe could have slipped down some. It doesn't seem to be loose. The car is a 1940 ford v8 flathead. I have been restoring it for a few years and just got it running about a month ago.
Click to expand...

That cross over pipe is homemade obviously. I doubt it slipped down.

Are you losing coolant? That doesn't appear to be a coolant leak but rather, condensation.

Tell us more...
 
Does the leak stop when engine is warmed up? A cold engine can piss out condensation for a good while while idling and not being driven.
 
fortyman, have you done anything with the exhaust manifolds? Anything with the mounting bolts of the exhaust manifold?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top