slight cooling system leak

First, pressure test the radiator and hoses. You can rent a tester at auto parts store.

Check for a blown head gasket.
Check for a leaking water pump and thermostat housing.
 
Frank - slight leak that is not obvious .... what is the source? Hose on the thermostat housing - around the head, some more details, we need to know
 
FrankWest said:
What do you recommend? It's source is not obvious.
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Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! How in the heck would you know that you have a leak.............if it's NOT obvious? If a leak is obvious, that means you can SEE it leaking! Otherwise, you can only have a declining coolant level.

Most of us know that most old Fords don't like a full radiator. The coolant level likes to seek it's own 'happy spot'. You sure that's not what's happening here? We need some idea of what has changed. In other words, explain WHY you suspect a leak? DD

.
 
Yes Frank, more information is needed here. We are not mind readers and we are not standing looking at your engine. If your coolant level is just going down and no visual leaks are showing then you could have a blown head gasket or a crack in the engine block and your water is going out the exhaust pipe. Pull your spark plugs and see if one looks very clean compared to the other three. Do a compression test on all cylinders or do a pressure test on your radiator with the correct pressure tester and check to see if there is a leak down. When you have done all those tests get back to us. Just dont guess on this DO THE TESTS. Regards, Kevin.
 
koates said:
Yes Frank, more information is needed here. We are not mind readers and we are not standing looking at your engine. If your coolant level is just going down and no visual leaks are showing then you could have a blown head gasket or a crack in the engine block and your water is going out the exhaust pipe. Pull your spark plugs and see if one looks very clean compared to the other three. Do a compression test on all cylinders or do a pressure test on your radiator with the correct pressure tester and check to see if there is a leak down. When you have done all those tests get back to us. Just dont guess on this DO THE TESTS. Regards, Kevin.
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I see small puddles of antifreeze under the engine....
 
Frank, jack her up and wipe it clean and then watch for the leak. A good light might help here. You may have to run the engine. If you cant physically do that then take the car to some one who has a hoist and put her up in the air so it can be seen better. Those 4 cyl water pumps love to leak and it might just be a matter of adjusting the gland nut on the pump shaft. Regards, Kevin.
 
Do you have original style hose clamps?
I've had a heck of a time with those. I finally gave up and went to modern hose clamps.
 
Ok so it's somewhere where liquid coolant is leaking while the car sits.

Each hose has two ends that should be examined.

Also the hoses themselves could have pin-***** type leaks.

The water pump has to seal well against the block and its shaft must seal.

The radiator has to hold coolant.

And, bite my tongue, the block also. (Check the drain petcocks, your block has one I believe, that would be a prime place for weeping. If not there check the bottom of the rad.)

As you have drips, and if you use modern colored-style coolant you'll see clean but oily-ish areas around the source of the leak. They'll stay wet looking.

If the vehicle is especially greasy sometimes the coolant cleans the gunk off.

If it's a head gasket there will be other tell-tales (adding... you've checked the dip stick for level and contamination?), and you may even find a super-clean edge of the head where steam was escaping.

This gives you some areas to peek at.

Here's a tried-and-true method. Place a piece of cardboard under the car overnight. Where do the drips form on the cardboard? Go upwards and search with your flashlight.

Good luck.
 
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Since this thread relates to leaks in the cooling system, I have the following comment/question. I noticed a small puddle on my garage floor coming from the passenger side near the front of my 1940 ford PU and am concerned about where it is coming from. I first noticed this puddle after the outside temperature dropped to -18 F. My garage is not insulated or heated. Since the leak is very small I have not been able to locate it. I don't see any indication that it is coming from the radiator or water pump. I am wondering if it is coming from the big hose that goes from the engine to the bottom of the radiator. Since we have witnessed outdoor temperature ranging from +35 F to -18 F, I am wondering if my connection to the radiator has loosened up. I have not had this problem before. Also the AF in the truck is rated at -30F. I would welcome any suggestions or comments that you may have.
 
vetpenny said:
I noticed a small puddle on my garage floor. Since the leak is very small, I have not been able to locate it. I would welcome any suggestions or comments that you may have.
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Well, qualifying my reply in post #8 above, YOUR situation certainly does sound like it could easily be considered as a slight cooling system leak with a source that is not obvious. DD
.
 
I have 6 old Fords, and this time of year with cold weather and an unheated garage, I usually have one or two of them develop slight leaks. We don't get super-cold in St. Louis, but if we have several days to a week of weather in the teens or below, I'll find a leaker. It's usually a big hose at the pump or the cast housing, never a heater hose for me. And it's pretty easy to feel the wetness, but not easy to fix with original style clamps. I'd snug the clamps and not worry much about it.
 
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