So is this a legit way to test for a coolant leak......
03-13-2005, 03:39 PM
#1
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So is this a legit way to test for a coolant leak......
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/46176/dscf0020.jpg"></center><p>i have pressure tester and the S4 has been going through coolant at a pretty good clip. Now i put the thing on today and NOTHING is leaking...zip, zippo, zilch, nada. I couldn't see everything, but i let it go from 15 psi down to about 5 psi 3 times, so a lot of coolant would have been lost. Now my last resorts are either head gasket or heater core. I was thinking if i were to take the plugs out, first snif them i guess, but also if there were no plugs the pressure from the coolant woudl be able to get in easier and the pressure would drop faster. Before i do that ill smell the exaust too, the expansion tank is clean. Also for the heater core, no smell of coolant or anything, and how often does that even happen, leak in cooling system b/c of heater core. Either way thanks for the info.
André
André
03-13-2005, 04:16 PM
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2 things - er - make that 3 things.
1. the definitive head gasket test - air bubbles in the coolant. (Whilst engine is cool) - Remove small hose to coolant tank - add enough tube to immerse through coolant tank cap. Start the car. Air bubbles? Yes ? Head gasket / warped head.
No air bubbles? You have a leak.
(Quick double check here - pull your dipstick - oil-y looking oil? Again - no head gasket leak.)
2. PULL YOUR BELLY PAN! Full of coolant? Guess what - the pan collects leaked coolant - so you will see none - to little where you park. Then it will blow out on the road - allowing for the next parked refill. Now you can get underneath & look for the leak.
3. Do what you should have originally - STFA! Lots of us have leaks - and post where they were found. I found mine by seeing where others found theirs. (After run pump in my case - $101 at Impex!)
No air bubbles? You have a leak.
(Quick double check here - pull your dipstick - oil-y looking oil? Again - no head gasket leak.)
2. PULL YOUR BELLY PAN! Full of coolant? Guess what - the pan collects leaked coolant - so you will see none - to little where you park. Then it will blow out on the road - allowing for the next parked refill. Now you can get underneath & look for the leak.
3. Do what you should have originally - STFA! Lots of us have leaks - and post where they were found. I found mine by seeing where others found theirs. (After run pump in my case - $101 at Impex!)
03-13-2005, 04:58 PM
#3
I would start by looking at the small stuff.
Check the water outlet on the back of the engine; these are plastic and tend to deform and leak over time. Check the coolant lines to the turbo. Check the bleeder on the heater core hose in the water tray.
If you have a bad heater core, you would know it. The interior would small like antifreeze every time you used the defroster, which would be often because the windows would fog up all the time.
If you are worried about the head gasket, have a leakdown test done.
If you have a bad heater core, you would know it. The interior would small like antifreeze every time you used the defroster, which would be often because the windows would fog up all the time.
If you are worried about the head gasket, have a leakdown test done.
03-13-2005, 05:17 PM
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You need to remove the belly pan so you can look....
for the leak a little more carefully. look at the front of the engine to see if the water pump is leaking. The afterrun water pump under the intake is a common failure. It has a couple hoses and a electrical connector. If it was your head gasket it would probably run hot even when it was full of coolant. Don't overheat it or you will need a head gasket or worse. Good luck.
03-13-2005, 07:54 PM
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it know it is none of the hoses connected to the engine....
but the water tray is a good idea, however i get no "spill" or drip under the car anywhere,,,reason for head gasket idea
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03-14-2005, 03:09 AM
#8
It's usually more exciting than a simple coolant leak when the head gasket goes.
I would think you would see some high operating temps of the head gasket is leaking.
Don't be too quick to write off engine leaks unless you have carefully looked the engine over. Check the back, check all the little lines, and check the afterrun pump.
Don't be too quick to write off engine leaks unless you have carefully looked the engine over. Check the back, check all the little lines, and check the afterrun pump.
03-14-2005, 04:44 AM
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Diagnostic test for failure on the headgasket:
-With the engine cold, open the coolant reservoir cap and fill level to "maximum", then start engine and let it warm up(10/15 minutes), if head gasket is blown, air bubbles will probably appear on the reservoir as you "gently" push up the trottle(2000rpm is enought).Also you will probably have a coolant smell at the exhaust.If you have a blown head gasket, replacement must be performed imediatlly, or major engine damage can occuor!!
03-14-2005, 04:56 AM
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High temperatures will only occuor when the coollant level start...
...to get very low and that can take very much time to happen. He can not affort to keep riding the car with a failure at the head gasket(if that is really the problem)