Lets play Find That Leak!

[pajerry]

Okay, this is for pajero, but same engine.. So I had a minor water leak from some autometer fittings for a water temp guage. I fixed that, all seemed okay that was it, then overnight she pukes half a liter of coolant! Radiator is still full, but expansion bottle pretty much empty. It seems fine, hoses are fine, hose to the alternator/water pump (?) seemed fine, lower rad hose fine. Also after shutting down the motor from hot, I can hear some bubbling in the system, not sure from where can't tell, so air is getting in there.. Also it drips quicker when I squeeze the top or bottom rad hose. From the top of the block all looks dry and cleanish. I included a photo of where the drip is running to under the truck. Maybe someone has seen the same drip before?



The drip is following the left side of the block down to the lower pulley as you can see. (this is sticking the head under the rad from front of truck) Where could this come from? I removed the intercooler and can't seem to find where it originates without taking a bunch of crap (everything) out.

I had a similar leak that ended up being a O-ring in the cold idle mechanism, but it was visible from the top as well, but that was a minor drip, this is loosing lots of fluid.

Sorry, learning as I go.. May be un-related.. but I found it odd that when I last changed the oil that the last quarter cup of oil to drain out seemed to be more watery, less thick than used oil.. Is this a sign of a cracked head? Wouldn't the water drain out before the oil due to sitting on the bottom? I have no other symptoms and runs perfect besides this leak. Coolant doesn't seem to have oil, but its hard to tell as it has had two different color of fluid.


Sorry for the long post, but Im getting fed up! THANKS!

(why is the max photo width so small? resizing sucks.)

[Raule Duke]

I think that the leak is probably coming from or around the water pump. When was it last changed? Also if you want to check for oil contamination (visually only) drain the used motor oil into a glass container and leave it to sit and inspect it to see if you get a layer of water. Typically, enough water to do any damage would be pretty easy to spot (foamy white oil if you look under the oil fill cap with a flash light while shes running)

[Raule Duke]

PS. You hear bubbling in the system because there are now air pockets in the coolant loop. I would recommend not driving this while you are loosing this much fluid because of the "hot spots" that will develop around the air pockets!!

[tonydca]

I think that the leak is probably coming from or around the water pump. When was it last changed? Also if you want to check for oil contamination (visually only) drain the used motor oil into a glass container and leave it to sit and inspect it to see if you get a layer of water. Typically, enough water to do any damage would be pretty easy to spot (foamy white oil if you look under the oil fill cap with a flash light while shes running)

X2 Exactly what happened on old Honda of mine.

[jessef]

x3 looks like a rusty water pump

[tonydca]

Can you reach the water pump pulley to see if it has any play in it?

[RichD]

Expansion bottle is famously leaky.

[pajerry]

Big time newb here, haven't ever done many motor repairs and don't have a manual.

I haven't felt it for play, but while running it runs perfectly true, no wobble etc. Belts slightly loose but nothing major, no squealing.

Took the bottle out, cleaned it up and it all looks good, seams look good, and no stains under it. Besides its coming from the front/side of the block.

I think I'll just change the pump. Japanoid said they did it when it was FOB but I don't have any faith in that as alot was overlooked. Plus I've had some weird on and off squealing as soon as the warranty expired, so maybe that was the prob all along (hasn't done it in a while)

Shouldn't take much more than an hour eh?

Thanks for you help guys!

[thedjjack]

Water pump has a hole in designed to leak fluid when the seal fails and the bearing is soaking in coolant.

I have had a pump with no sign of wear seize the bearing going down the highway and put the fan through the radiator!

Check the pump (also check the expansion bottle)

[mrdueck]

Unless your the HULK, checking the pulley with the belts on with tension will be close to impossible. That being said, as stated earlier it is the leak from the pump that your looking for. If the bearing is going you would hear it. Using wood dowl, long screw driver to your ear or a $10 Princess Auto stethascope is how you will find this out.

Back to the leak. Are you able to get your hands on a coolant preasurizer? This is the BEST way to find coolant leaks. This is a hand held pump looking devise that comes with various ends to fit on the rad cap. Pump up the system and look/listen. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and was once convinced that my old Suburban motor had a head gasget issue untill I did this test and found out it was a factory plastic hose adapter that was leaking ever so slightly at the seam. It was really hard to see as the coolant ran along the bottom of the hose in an area that you could not access and so I was looking in the wrong direction the whole time until I borrowed this tester from a local garage. As my uncle who has been a diesel mechanic for 30+ yrs says, always look for the simple possibilities first.

Good luck!

[pajerry]

Thanks for the tips guys. I guess I'll tear into it and double check it is leaking from the pump so I dont replace it for nothing.. I tried sourcing a pump yesterday, but at 3pm on a friday, nobody was at all helpful.

Also wanted to ask if I should be concerned about brand and quality from any of the importers? Japanoid wants almost twice what maximum wants. (actually their website said 170, shogo told me 190.. ) Is this their usual mark up, or should I beware of lesser quality parts?

Also, if the pump was said to be replaced when imported, can it fail in 50000kms? If not, that will be another item on the list that seemed unserviced despite bring a 'fully serviced' vehicle? That list is growing..

[nxski]

Japanoid is generally very expensive. I have had no issues with maximum overdrives parts.

[mark]

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[pajerry]

Thanks for all the help guys. I changed the pump last Monday and other than a couple scraped knuckles all went well. Heres what I found. A 'new' water pump that has done 55000kms apparently looks like this..









I'm assuming its the original pump? Surely it can't rust out and have a water line like that on a newer 55000km pump?




Early the next morning, the GF and I did a week long cruise down the Oregon coast to Portland and back. It was wet most nights, but with lots of tarps and clothes it was still enjoyable. There was many little breaks in the grey weather that form fantastic sunsets and surreal views over the ocean. Even squeezed in a little hike at Saddle Mountain.

PM me if you know of some good 'forestry' style sites in that state as I didn't find any decent backroads maps while down there. Warm showers are nice, but state parks really don't do it for me :)

[jessef]

Rust can build up in 1/2 that time if there was corrosion/calcium buildup in the cooling system prior.

Did you get a good flush done?