odd way of leaking coolant
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
odd way of leaking coolant
so i recently bought a 1988 N/A rx7 and have a few questions...
it starts fine and the such but the car seems to leak coolant when it's parked on a downhill. it pours out but it isn't hot to the touch. when i park it in my garage, it leaks, but i'm guessing it's just the last of the coolant that has already coming out from sitting on the downhill.
when i pulled out the hose from the coolant resevoir, it sounds like it's burping air and releasing steam if that makes any sense...better yet, it sounds like someone is blowing bubbles and this also happens to the hoses behind the engine. i tried looking into 'burping' the car but i can't seem to find the air bleeder plug to try to release what i'm assuming is air in the cooling system.
now i've done the coolant seal test how you look for bubbles from the radiator when it's stone cold and also the one how you remove the fuse and start the car to see if any coolant comes out and they're both negative.
any input or ideas as to what's wrong is very appreciated!
it starts fine and the such but the car seems to leak coolant when it's parked on a downhill. it pours out but it isn't hot to the touch. when i park it in my garage, it leaks, but i'm guessing it's just the last of the coolant that has already coming out from sitting on the downhill.
when i pulled out the hose from the coolant resevoir, it sounds like it's burping air and releasing steam if that makes any sense...better yet, it sounds like someone is blowing bubbles and this also happens to the hoses behind the engine. i tried looking into 'burping' the car but i can't seem to find the air bleeder plug to try to release what i'm assuming is air in the cooling system.
now i've done the coolant seal test how you look for bubbles from the radiator when it's stone cold and also the one how you remove the fuse and start the car to see if any coolant comes out and they're both negative.
any input or ideas as to what's wrong is very appreciated!
#2
Can Post Only in New Member Section
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
where does the coolant leak from when you park facing downhill? is it pooling somewhere and runs out when on a slope?
it bet that you have air in your coolant system and not maintaining enough pressure to prevent the coolant from boiling. top up you coolant system and bleed the air from the plastic screw on top of you rad AND from the coolant line on the back of your throttle body.
it bet that you have air in your coolant system and not maintaining enough pressure to prevent the coolant from boiling. top up you coolant system and bleed the air from the plastic screw on top of you rad AND from the coolant line on the back of your throttle body.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it comes from the resevoir overflow hose and just waters down, it steams, but like i said, it's not hot hot. this is when the car has been driven, so the it's been warmed.
now when you mention to top off both the filler cap and the radiator one, i understand that...but where is that bleed screw? i tried looking at guides online but all of them have the pictures removed...
a picture of the locations...
i can't find the bleed screw unless it's the one right next to the pressurized cap on the radiator (well it's on the left of it)
now when you mention to top off both the filler cap and the radiator one, i understand that...but where is that bleed screw? i tried looking at guides online but all of them have the pictures removed...
a picture of the locations...
i can't find the bleed screw unless it's the one right next to the pressurized cap on the radiator (well it's on the left of it)
Last edited by rookieplayer; 02-03-10 at 06:53 PM. Reason: added a picture to help understand the problem more
#5
Refined Valley Dude
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
The bleed screw would be here:
I say "would be" because I'm not familiar with the rad you have, with that center cap. You may not have nor need the screw because of that cap; it's at a higher point than the screw would be.
The 'bubbling' sound is your coolant boiling. This is consistent with your overflow bottle overflowing. The coolant is getting super hot, expanding and looking for an exit point which the bottle provides. You need to find out why your coolant is boiling.
I would look at:
- thermostat (is it not opening?)
- water pump (is the impeller damaged, or the belt slipping?)
- coolant (is the mix so far off (too little water) that it isn't moving heat worth a damn?)
- other
The cheapest and easiest things to do are the thermostat and coolant. Get a new thermostat from the dealer and slap it in. I wouldn't even bother testing the current one, it isn't worth the time. The coolant you could test with a tester, or just replace outright. Again, I'd just replace it.
Also, do these things one at a time and then run the car after each. If you just charge in, do work on 6 things and then afterwards the problem is gone, how could you know what caused the problem in case it crops up again? Be deliberate and systematic.
[edit] Looking at your picture some more -> are you saying that coolant is also appearing behind the intake manifold?
I say "would be" because I'm not familiar with the rad you have, with that center cap. You may not have nor need the screw because of that cap; it's at a higher point than the screw would be.
The 'bubbling' sound is your coolant boiling. This is consistent with your overflow bottle overflowing. The coolant is getting super hot, expanding and looking for an exit point which the bottle provides. You need to find out why your coolant is boiling.
I would look at:
- thermostat (is it not opening?)
- water pump (is the impeller damaged, or the belt slipping?)
- coolant (is the mix so far off (too little water) that it isn't moving heat worth a damn?)
- other
The cheapest and easiest things to do are the thermostat and coolant. Get a new thermostat from the dealer and slap it in. I wouldn't even bother testing the current one, it isn't worth the time. The coolant you could test with a tester, or just replace outright. Again, I'd just replace it.
Also, do these things one at a time and then run the car after each. If you just charge in, do work on 6 things and then afterwards the problem is gone, how could you know what caused the problem in case it crops up again? Be deliberate and systematic.
[edit] Looking at your picture some more -> are you saying that coolant is also appearing behind the intake manifold?
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now that you mention it, the temp gauge doesn't move at all after I've driven the car for a bit. That sounds like a bad thermostat symptom, right?
I've also noticed that the coolant was dirty green in color and some specs...maybe dirt or something.
Edit: I mean that there's the same bubbly noise coming back from the back as well...at least I think there is.
also, thanks for pointing out my mistake, clokker
I've also noticed that the coolant was dirty green in color and some specs...maybe dirt or something.
Edit: I mean that there's the same bubbly noise coming back from the back as well...at least I think there is.
also, thanks for pointing out my mistake, clokker
Last edited by rookieplayer; 02-03-10 at 07:36 PM.
#7
Cake or Death?
iTrader: (2)
The cheapest and easiest things to do are the thermostat and coolant. Get a new thermostat from the dealer and slap it in. I wouldn't even bother testing the current one, it isn't worth the time. The coolant you could test with a tester, or just replace outright. Again, I'd just replace it.
Also, do these things one at a time and then run the car after each.
Every time you break the loop you'll need new coolant and antifreeze is not a trivial expense these days.
I'd pressure test and replace whatever hoses (heater core, thermowax...whatever) are worrisome along with the thermostat and coolant, all in one go.
The primary objective here is to run leak free, the "why" is of secondary importance.
Trending Topics
#9
Can Post Only in New Member Section
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if the only "leak" is coming from the overflow bottle it, it is doing what it was designed too do and will continue to do so until your fix the cause.
lets start simple remove the small hose from the back of the engine, it connects to your throttle body. pour in water until it starts to spill out of this hose. then quickly put the hose back on trying to let as little air as possible into it.
start engine and see if the problem persists. next step would be replace the thermostat and replace coolant with a 50/50 mix this step might cost you 20$ at most.
lets start simple remove the small hose from the back of the engine, it connects to your throttle body. pour in water until it starts to spill out of this hose. then quickly put the hose back on trying to let as little air as possible into it.
start engine and see if the problem persists. next step would be replace the thermostat and replace coolant with a 50/50 mix this step might cost you 20$ at most.
#10
Refined Valley Dude
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Now that you mention it, the temp gauge doesn't move at all after I've driven the car for a bit. That sounds like a bad thermostat symptom, right?
I've also noticed that the coolant was dirty green in color and some specs...maybe dirt or something.
I wouldn't worry about a little bit of debris floating in it.
The primary objective here is to run leak free, the "why" is of secondary importance.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Karack, I believe you solved my issue. I just put in another 13lb cap and after driving the car for a few miles, and parking it, the sound was almost completely gone. It sounded like there was coolant moving around the upper radiator hose but that was about it.
Would it still be wise to change the thermostat since the gauge still isn't responding right? The dial hangs around the 3rd mark down which is pretty low and the coolant since it's a dirty green color, huh?
PS: All you guys are awesome for the advice!
Would it still be wise to change the thermostat since the gauge still isn't responding right? The dial hangs around the 3rd mark down which is pretty low and the coolant since it's a dirty green color, huh?
PS: All you guys are awesome for the advice!
Last edited by rookieplayer; 02-04-10 at 07:11 PM.
#14
Sharp Claws
iTrader: (30)
on an S4 the temp gauge is supposed to only be around 1/3-1/4 at normal operating temperature.
yea i would suggest replacing the coolant if it's looking dirty, if you replace the thermostat ONLY replace it with an OEM replacement. meaning one from the dealer or mazdatrix or atkins, etc that sell OEM parts, not an aftermarket one like from kragen, autozone, etc.
yea i would suggest replacing the coolant if it's looking dirty, if you replace the thermostat ONLY replace it with an OEM replacement. meaning one from the dealer or mazdatrix or atkins, etc that sell OEM parts, not an aftermarket one like from kragen, autozone, etc.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HalifaxFD
Canadian Forum
126
05-09-16 07:06 PM
ZaqAtaq
New Member RX-7 Technical
2
09-05-15 08:57 PM