Coolant leak near heater Tees

[gray rider]

After replacing both heater tees today (one failed), I still have a small leak near the base of one of the hard pipes that leads up to the Tee's.

(Yes I already searched).

Any thoughts?

 

[dustbowl]

i just replaced the T's also. i also had some coolant on one of the pipes. turned out to be from the bottom of one of the hoses and it was trickling down the backside of the pipe and looked like the leak was coming from where the pipe came out from the block.

 

[gray rider]

So, you had a rubber hose clamp that was not holding as it should have?

 

[flintknapper]

Either your hose is leaking (at the connection at the top of the bypass pipe) or you have a leaking bypass.

IF you reused your heater T hoses AND the OEM clamps...I would replace the one connecting the bypass pipe with a worm gear clamp that can be tightened down better. If that doesn't prove to be the issue then...your rear bypass is leaking at the base. The pipe is press fit into the housing.

Borrowed pic. VVVVVVVV

 

[gray rider]

THAT makes sense! Thanks for the insight. Will do and report back.

 

[gray rider]

Looks like the leak is indeed at the base of the hard pipe pressed fitting. Any thoughts on how risky it is to just monitor the leak and put off the replacement?

 

[flintknapper]

Looks like the leak is indeed at the base of the hard pipe pressed fitting. Any thoughts on how risky it is to just monitor the leak and put off the replacement?

If the bypass pipe is not leaking because of 'rust' then I would think you could monitor it for quite some time.

I've never heard of one actually popping loose. Typically, you'll experience slow coolant loss (watch your overflow tank) that will require refilling. If it has been leaking for very long... you should see a pinkish/crusty residue around the base. If its a recent leak...then not.

You can mark the level of your overflow tank (engine cool) with a sharpie (on the side of the tank), then check the level (engine cool) every couple of days to get an idea of how serious (or not) the leak is.

 

[gray rider]

Roger that, flint. Many thx.....

 

[Dref]

Roger that, flint. Many thx.....

Old post with relevant info. Did you find a fix to the issue? My clamps and hose didn’t seem to be leaking but there was definitely bubbling coming from the base of the pipe. And coolant coming out at a nice trickle. Wondering if I should RTV gasket maker or replace the entire component which is loose and leaving an apparent gap. Hopefully you had an easy fix.

 

[flintknapper]

Old post with relevant info. Did you find a fix to the issue? My clamps and hose didn’t seem to be leaking but there was definitely bubbling coming from the base of the pipe. And coolant coming out at a nice trickle. Wondering if I should RTV gasket maker or replace the entire component which is loose and leaving an apparent gap. Hopefully you had an easy fix.

If the leak is at the stand up pipe (in the bypass) then replacement is the only viable solution.

 

[Dref]

If the leak is at the stand up pipe (in the bypass) then replacement is the only viable solution.

Yeah I was thinking that was the best solution. I’m just a little weary because I just got finished installing a starter and I don’t feel like going back in there! I think I may have banged the pipe when placing the intake back in. Haha oh well. For now I’ll just tighten up the gap with some red gasket maker and monitor closely.
Thanks for the reply

 

[flintknapper]

Yeah I was thinking that was the best solution. I’m just a little weary because I just got finished installing a starter and I don’t feel like going back in there! I think I may have banged the pipe when placing the intake back in. Haha oh well. For now I’ll just tighten up the gap with some red gasket maker and monitor closely.
Thanks for the reply

You wouldn't be the first to do that. I understand not wanting to go back in there.