Happy 4th. Here is an update. I cleaned up the leak and re-installed the inpection plate and ran the car at idle for fifteen minutes. The car idled just fine at around 775/800. The temp gauge climbed to center and stayed planted there. I assume the gauge is not accurate at 220, and I assume the car is runnimg at 180/190, but the gauge did not climb any further than dead center and on a mid nineties day I was happy it did not overheat while idling. I will pop out the thermostat eventually to see what is in there. No further leaking at the inspection plate. It could be that when I lifted the engine I forced a hose leak at the connections to the heater core and the fluid landed on the inspection plate and slowly made its way through the weep hole, but no new fluid after this idle test. But after that test I had one big concern. The car was in the garage and I smelled antifreeze while it was idling. So, I moved onto the next test.
This morning I just ran a block leak test. I started the car with the radiator cap off and I:
1. noted no coolant movement or bubbling in the radiator,
2. no condensation on the radiator cap. I had also no condensation or water/coolant on the oil filler cap, on the spark plugs or in the spark plug holes. Also no evidence of coolant in the oil when I drained it, or steam at the exhaust tips, and no smoke from the engine compartment.
3. added the block tester tube after engine warmed. I wanted to be sure the thermostat was opening and coolant was flowing, so I ran the block leak test with the heater off and again with it on.
4. with the temp gauge at 1/4 reading, I pulled air into the tube by repeatedly for several minutes, pumping the tester bulb. The fluid remained the same color blue with no deviation at all. So that test thankfully checked out indicating no evidence of exhaust fumes mixing in with the coolant. The coolant is extremely clean as well.
So, I think it is safe to conclude I have no internal coolant leak either via head gaskets, block or head cracks, or corroded freeze plugs. And no external leak onto the engine at the heads.
With no internal leaks, I think I can safely drive the car and focus my attention on the source of the external leak near or from the heater core. Thankfully, no coolant on the passenger side floor.
Anything I have missed? Any ideas why I smell antifreeze when the car is running? Maybe the smell is from the external leak I cannot find.
I will drive the car and keep an eye on it for any further leaks. If I thought I have an internal leak, I would run a compression test, but I may do that as well for good measure.
Thanks as always and have a great holiday. Cheers to the USA!!!
Kind regards,
Joe
