Your secret cooling system seep fixes?
#1378550
01/30/13 12:36 PM
01/30/13 12:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162 USA
360view
OP
Moparts resident spammer
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OP
Moparts resident spammer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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Anyone got suggestions on how they have in the past been able to seal tiny coolant system leaks?
I have had a small leak at what i thought was the thermostat housing on my 1995 Magnum V8 Ram, but after two tries to unsuccessfully fix it "down in the hole" including using a snake video borescope, yesterday i tore down the front of the engine by removing the accessory bracket that holds the alternator and air conditioning in order to see every thing more clearly, and redid all five possible leak sources... Two temperature sensors, the heater inlet hose, the thermostat housing ( this time with Right Stuff and no paper gasket) and the bypass hose.
Before putting everything back together, i borrowed a radiator pressure test kit from O'Reillys Auto Parts and pressurized the empty system and non running engine with air to 16 psi, and then painted all the joints with soapy water looking for the bubbles indicating leaks.
The good news was that none of the stuff i had just redone showed any leaks this time. ( the prior pesky leak was probably the heater hose nipple)
But the system would not hold a steady 16 psi like it should have.
16 psi would decline to 12 psi in 37 minutes.
Much more painting of other joints in the cooling system finally showed that there was a tiny leak in the timing chain cover gasket at the top driver side corner.
Your suggestions for simple cheap and easy fixes?
Yes, the engine now has 198,000 miles and probably needs a replacement for its OE timing chain and water pump anyway.
It still has the unusual NPG coolant without any water in the mix (all propylene glycol) but i am thinking of draining it out as $35 per gallon makes any leak expensive.
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Re: Your secret cooling system seep fixes?
[Re: 360view]
#1378552
01/30/13 05:02 PM
01/30/13 05:02 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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intake gaskets are APITA sometimes to get it to seal on an intake R&R. does any water trace show up in the oil,crankcase,dipstick or tube? the intake bolts only torque to 144 inch pounds which = only 6 foot pounds on the wimpy bolts. you just cant torque down on the bolts like an old LA intake when the gasket would weep. I had to do it 3x when I fixed the plenum pan gasket. by the way,is your plenum gasket leaking? maybe time for a intake R&R with all new gaskets.
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Re: Your secret cooling system seep fixes?
[Re: scratchnfotraction]
#1378553
01/30/13 05:27 PM
01/30/13 05:27 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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I found the same leak on the t-cover but on pass side top corner. I would agree if it has 198,000 miles on the stock chain it is well over due. I would add a t-chain tensioner from the v-6 mopar engines while you are in there. it is a little bit of a job,but when I done the 2 I had,i did the t-chain replacement along with the plenum pan gasket intake R&R. took a full 8 hrs. makes it alot ez-er if you know the 6 bolts will let you swing the alum bracket,a/c comp,alt, out of the way as a unit without breaking down the a/c lines. well my second job was ez-er faster after I had the leaning curve on the first one.
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Re: Your secret cooling system seep fixes?
[Re: chrisf]
#1378556
01/30/13 09:05 PM
01/30/13 09:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162 USA
360view
OP
Moparts resident spammer
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OP
Moparts resident spammer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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I had not heard of Dike. It got 6 good reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Dike-Temporary-Radiator-Stop-Leak/dp/B002HIB3GIHomepage at Conklin http://goo.gl/QpNSOSample quote Key Benefits Stops leaks in radiator in seconds Seals internal leaks, preventing antifreeze and water from seeping into the engine Helps gaskets seal better Will not block small passages in the coolant system Works with all antifreezes Note: If the cooling system is filtered, the filter should be removed or bypassed when using Dike. Less than 4 gallon systems For best performance: First flush radiator with Radiator Flush Premix 1 pint of Dike to a minimum of 1 gallon water/antifreeze blend, add to radiator Fill radiator with water/antifreeze blend to manufacture specifications
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