coolant leak

[Man Jerk]

I've got a large coolant leak. A large portion of my coolant is now in a parking lot. I've looked and cannot seem to pinpoint the leak. It appears to me it is coming from the lower radiator hose, but it's not clear.

I've recently moved to an apartment, and will have to do the work at a friends. What I am looking for is ideas on where it may be leaking. I'm going to pick up both the lower and upper radiator hoses, the water pump gasket and the thermostat gaskets (2). The water pump is fairly new so I'm ruling that out. I'd like to have my bases covered before I clog up someone elses garage.

Another question. If it turns out to be the oil cooler or oil cooler lines, can I safely bypass the oil cooler to get it back on the road??

 

[Man Jerk]

'nother question. Can I safely drive 4 or so blocks with very little coolant? It's probably 25* out. I figure it's safe, but just want to make sure.

 

[Mace]

It is never a good idea to drive with no coolant.

Go buy all new hoses and replace them (heater hoses too)
When one goes out, it is time to replace all of them.

 

[Rig of Mortis]

I have a BJ60, so this may not apply.

I was having a slight coolant leak from holes and cracks in the hard lines going to the rear heater which sits under the front passenger seat.

I'm not too familiar with FJ60s with the F engine but it's as least worth a look.

Either that, or you have a friend with a sick sense of humor who keeps pouring coolant on the ground under your truck when you're not looking.

 

[haryv]

gig, good point. mabey his friend is feeding of his

Feeding off his paranoia another way to find a leak is go buy a stant pressure testor or take it to a shop that has one. If I were you dont even drive it. you take the chance that it may blow a head gasket and that would be far more expensive then having it towed.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I'd get some 5/8" heater hose and some 3/4" heater hose while you're getting the rad hoses. Quite a few of the heater hoses can be cut from standard stuff for cheap. For the molded hoses just take the old one in and ask for one like it even if you need to cut to fit.

My 60 developed a leak from a hose under the water pump above the lower rad hose. Took out the head before I realized I had a bad leak.

Nick

 

[Man Jerk]

My 60 developed a leak from a hose under the water pump above the lower rad hose. Took out the head before I realized I had a bad leak.

Nick

This "seems" to be where the leak is coming from. It's just real hard to pinpoint it at this junction of hoses.

Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I am not trying to frighten you, but could you have a cracked water jacket? Your description sounds a lot like a search I did.....

 

[Poser]

Mark-


When you replaced your water pump, did you replace the small oil cooler hose that comes off the pump, going to the pipe to the cooler? What was the condition of this hose? I have seen this happen before....and when it leaks, it runs down the lower hose and pipe assembly, making it look like the lower hose is bad. I would get some more coolant in it before you move it, and then when you get it inside Tedd's shop, get some light on it and a little mirror and figure it out.


Pager is on, cell is on...pretty sure I have any of those little goofy hoses in my collection out at the shop.


Will be out there all day Saturday and Saturday night, and all day Sunday pal...


Good luck!


-Steve