Help tracking down a leak (coolant??)

[MoJ]

UPDATE - Help tracking down a leak (coolant?? -- NO)

OK - fishing for some suggestions, I'll try to describe as much as possible....

I've developed a small leak - believe it's coolant. I'm finding it accumulated on and dripping off of the bottom of the steering stabilizer. There's not enough to be positive but the viscosity and feel is like coolant. The top of the stabilizer rock shield, where it connects on the passenger side, looks as if it may have been wet but for the most part doesn't show much sign of being dripped on (can't really tell if it had been wet or is just slightly oily). The coolant's accumulating on the driver's side on the stabilzer -- almost as if it's running out of the bottom of the stabilzer rock shield and onto the bottom of the main body of the stabilizer. I've traced all hoses in the vicinity and can't find any obvious sign of leaking. I did notice some moisture around the plastic cap for the low pressure A/C fitting. I first noticed this today after returning from a wheeling trip which was followed by a long drive home. I was on some overgrown trails with a little brush but can't see where anything might have got poked.

Any suggestions?
Can the stabilzer itself leak fluid?

 

[T Y L E R]

Doesn't smell like cat piss , does it ?

T

 

[MoJ]

Are you trying to build your post count back up?

 

[GXO]

Have a pressure tester handy? That will show you the leak in a hurry.

With all hoses not broken have you looked at the bottom of the water pump, or perhaps you could removed the rock shield and see if you see pooling on the bottom of the offending part.

 

[Eduardo96FZJ80]

I think Dan might be on the right track, water pumps have a small weep hole that will give a little warning before a full failure.

 

[Beowulf]

Jason,
Is the coolant resevoir full? It might be overflowing out the little tube designed for that. If so, it could leak down to the steering stabilizer and you said it looked like coolant.

Another possibility might be a radiator cap that isn't holding pressure.

-B-

 

[PHAEDRUS]

or if you are in a humid climate the ac can accumulate a lot of moisture on the lines.
Sorry but mine is a 3FE and I have a similar inconsistent leak but I am pretty sure it is the upper hose to the water pump, will find out for sure mon or tues when my goodies get here.
(thanks again Dan)

 

[MoJ]

Well after looking again and seeking a couple opinions, it seems less like coolant and more like a very light oil, still not sure. The offending liquid has a light oil smell to it. Had to leave town before I could look at it further. Coolant levels in both the radiator and resevoir seem to be where they always are. Had the system flushed a few months back. Can't see anything to indicate that the coolant resevoir is overflowing but am planning on rigging up a paper towel or something below the drain tube to see if it does. Going to take a second look at the bottom of the water pump. Anyone had a steering stabilizer leak, I assume they are filled with a light oil. If so, how many ounces would you guess was in it?

Also - Will using a pressure tester cause any problems if the system is not leaking anywhere? (i.e. if it is not coolant leaking)

 

[GXO]

A pressure tester takes the system to running pressures without the engine running so you can get a close look as it would be "under load" without risking vital parts in the fan, etc.

Steering stabilizer would have oil in it, no idea on quantity...it is a stock unit?

Unbolt one end and see if you can test to see if it is failed.

Could also be a leak in the AC, everything cold on that side of things? The lube in the freon could be condensing at the leak and causing this type of pooling...long shot, but why not mention it?

 

[MoJ]

A pressure tester takes the system to running pressures without the engine running so you can get a close look as it would be "under load" without risking vital parts in the fan, etc.

Steering stabilizer would have oil in it, no idea on quantity...it is a stock unit?

Unbolt one end and see if you can test to see if it is failed.

Could also be a leak in the AC, everything cold on that side of things? The lube in the freon could be condensing at the leak and causing this type of pooling...long shot, but why not mention it?

Steering stabilizer is stock. A/C blows cold but I've only ran it a little since I noticed the leak.

 

[robbie]

If it is oil that has a redish color I would look to the High pressure hose on the the power steering, these have a tenedency to leak. The other hose with the power steering is the return hose will crack at the bend and will blow, fail usually not weep. Pull the rock plate and look. taste test will always tell what the fluid is, a dab on the finger and then taste, most older wreches will do this to find out, have a beer close by to chase it down with. later robbie

 

[MoJ]

Just a update - After further investigation I'm 99% sure it's the steering stabilzer. Peering through the oem holes in the rock shield of the stabilizer I can see the oil very slowly weeping out. It's very light oil. Had a small spot on the garage floor after the truck sat this week. I guess I'm forced to order a snazzy OME stabilizer. Anyone else have a oem stabilzer leak?

 

[e9999]

hmmm, guess the newbies like me would have to calibrate their palate with fresh fluid to be able to tell the diff eh Robbie?

Come on, MoJ, don't give up on the oil/coolant mix idea! An HG/trans failure is much more interesting to read about for the armchair mechanics among us.... ! Who cares about a lousy stabilizer....?


nah, j/k, hope all is fine!

E

 

[MoJ]

E- Shut up before my HG blows.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

I have Rileys used one in my garage, wrong corner of the country though, If memory serves the oem is inexpensive and the ome on mine really disagrees with my power steering pump. The feel is better with the ome than I had with my 180k+ oem but thats kind of to be expected.
Dave

 

[cruiserman]

OEM is expensive. OME isn't bad. Monroe is cheap.