Coolant on garage floor??

Vanspeed

Vanspeed

Well-known member
We have had temps in the single digets last couple of days and this morning I went out in to the garage and there was a puddle of coolant, not very big, right under the front motor mount. Looked in the radiator and it is not froze, still liquid. Started the car up and it ran fine, brought it up to operating temperature and no leaks. Checked the oil and it is fine. What was this from? I run antifreeze in it here and it has been in the car the last 3 years. Never a problem. I can't really tell where it came from.
 
I had an issue with a coolant loss while sitting, it appeared to be dripping from the packing nut, so I would turn a couple notches, seemed to stop, then it would do it again, acouple more notches. I finally figured out it was coming out of the cap on the rear grease fitting of the water pump. A couple wraps of tef. tape sealed it up. Remember anit freeze will find a way out that water won't...
 
This happens sometimes to me when it gets real cold. Materials change size due to the temperatures including your radiator, hoses and pipe clamps. Tighten up the clamps a bit and see if this does not help. I think you will find this only happens when you see those single digit temps, at least from what I have seen.
 
I hope so, I have one of those grease fittings on the back of the waterpump that you turn to pack more grease and it appears it might be coming from that area.
 
Steve, just went back and looked closer and that is exactly where it is leaking. Why would a grease fitting be leaking coolant? Does that mean that grease goes into the coolant too?
 
Had the same issue; winter of 2008/09.

Traced it to the (new) paper water pump gasket. No amount of snugging up completely eliminated the leak.

Replaced with an old used "black" gasket found in my parts. No leak since. *fingers crossed*
 
clean or replace the grease fitting. The grease fitting should have a ball check inside it. It's wrong kind or yours is gummed up.
 
Nothing stops the grease from working it's way into the cooling system. That is where the warnings about over-greasing/lubricating the water pump come from. You can buy a water-soluble grease that is designed for just this type of an application, most all of the vendors will sell it, but you should be able to get it at your local auto parts store. A little grease isn't going to hurt it, but if you put a modern zerk on it and go crazy with the grease gun then you will more than likely have a problem.
 
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Vanspeed said:
Steve, just went back and looked closer and that is exactly where it is leaking. Why would a grease fitting be leaking coolant? Does that mean that grease goes into the coolant too?
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The rear grease fitting should have a cap on it. The cap prevents coolant from leaking out the fitting. Yes grease can get into the coolant so don't get carried away with the grease.
 
Keep your dogs and cats away. Antifreeze tastes sweet to them, up until the time it kills their kidneys.
 
Vanspeed,

Here's a pic of the screw-on cap, if it would help.
 

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I grease my stock pump with 1/4 of 1 pump of grease gun on rear bushing & the other 3/4 pump of grease on front brg every 500 miles & I dont get oil in the top of the rad.Also quite common to have to tighten hose clamps in cold weather.
 
Yeah, my fitting does not look like that. Mine is a fitting that you can pack with grease and you turn it to push in more.
 
It helps to warm the motor up before you try to tighten the hose clamps. It softens up the hose and lets you get more squeeze on it.
 
steve s said:
I wonder if this is really true, or if it's just that, unlike antifreeze, seeping water will evaporate, leaving little trace.

Steve
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While running water in the warmer months, I have no leaks. The minute I put anti freeze in for the winter months I always get 2-3 places the anti freeze will drip. If not attended the small leaks of antifreeze would drain the radiator. Never have to add extra water when running water.
 
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