strange coolant leak

[Daskoff]

So I took my new to me 2000 LC (104k miles) to the dealer for a coolant leak. There is no visible leak after stopping with or without the engine running however overnight it leaks about a cup of coolant. Dealer said it looks like it is coming from between the bell housing and engine block and may be a freeze plug. They recommend to pull the transmission to inspect/repair for about $1200 but before they do that they will pressurize the system to try to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from. Does anyone have any insight on this? I've never heard of this and spending $1,200 without exactly knowing what is leaking is a bit unsettling.

thanks

 

[Mike6158]

In January of last year I was in Death Valley for two weeks. I started smelling coolant so I checked the overflow and it was empty. I filled it up with distilled water every morning and every morning it would be low and every now and then I could smell coolant. When I checked the radiator I had to add a couple of quarts of water. Same thing the next day. Not one time did I ever see any sign of a leak. It turns out that the PO had been doing the same thing and there was very little coolant in the fluid. The leak was in the form of steam. When I got home I put the correct amount of coolant in the system and the radiator started leaking in two places when the engine warmed up. That's one place to look.

The other place to look is the 2 plastic tees at the back of the engine between the intake and firewall. That's a very often mentioned problem spot on this site.

I would exhaust all possibilities that I could before I paid someone to pull the transmission to look for an unlikely coolant leak. You've only got 104k on your LC. I'm at 170k and I replaced my radiator at 160k. The tees were replaced at 90k.

 

[Daskoff]

In January of last year I was in Death Valley for two weeks. I started smelling coolant so I checked the overflow and it was empty. I filled it up with distilled water every morning and every morning it would be low and every now and then I could smell coolant. When I checked the radiator I had to add a couple of quarts of water. Same thing the next day. Not one time did I ever see any sign of a leak. It turns out that the PO had been doing the same thing and there was very little coolant in the fluid. The leak was in the form of steam. When I got home I put the correct amount of coolant in the system and the radiator started leaking in two places when the engine warmed up. That's one place to look.

The other place to look is the 2 plastic tees at the back of the engine between the intake and firewall. That's a very often mentioned problem spot on this site.

I would exhaust all possibilities that I could before I paid someone to pull the transmission to look for an unlikely coolant leak. You've only got 104k on your LC. I'm at 170k and I replaced my radiator at 160k. The tees were replaced at 90k.

Plastic coolant T...that could be, are there more than one? Is it accessible from above the engine? Truck definitely leaves it's mark.nice red mark on the ground. Any other coolant connections at the rear of the engine? Thanks!

 

[Mike6158]

There are two and mine were done before I bought it. Here's a thread about how to replace them. It doesn't look too hard to me

DIY: Replacing heater hose pipe T's *important*

 

[aging fleet]

The T's only take a moment to check and they're visible once you take the plastic engine cover off. I'd spend some time doing my own investigation before I let the dealer pull my transmission. If that's not an option, I'd take it to an indy for a second opinion.

 

[bucfl]

Agree with others. Take it to an Indy shop for the pressure test. Dirt cheap and will tell you same thing.

When I first purchased mine I took it to the dealer for $89 they will do an inspection and give you a list of items needing done. I took that and used it as my to do list.

They wanted $4000 for all the work. I just did as much as I could on my own and the rest the Indy shop.

 

[2001LC]

The bell housing has a weep hole just like the timing belt cover. Inspect both for any coolant residue, then clean. Watch daily after driving for any coolant weeping out. Heads up: The weep holes general only show leaks from within the area. But sometime leaks/fluid can enter the bell housing from above.

Bell housing weep hole: The staining here is from cleaners used on top side that filled engine valley do to plugging of drain holes, and Liquids entered starter. Looks like rear freeze plug leak.

Timing belt weep hole:

Engine valley freeze plugs, rear & front water bypass's, heater T's. All possible leak location to be checked if pressure test shows a leak that's hard to find. These leaks tend to travel towards back of engine.

Drain hole in valley:

 

[Daskoff]

The bell housing has a weep hole just like the timing belt cover. Inspect both for any coolant residue, then clean. Watch daily after driving for any coolant weeping out. Heads up: The weep holes general only show leaks from within the area. But sometime leaks/fluid can enter the bell housing from above, if engine valley drain holes are plug.

Bell housing weep hole: The staining here is from cleaners used on top side that filled engine valley do to plugging of drain holes. Liquids enter around starter mounting area. Looks like rear freeze plug leak.

View attachment 1243248

Timing belt weep hole:
View attachment 1243250

Engine valley freeze plugs, rear & front water bypass's, heater T's. All possible leak location to be checked if pressure test show a leak that's hard to find. These leaks tend to travel towards back of engine.
View attachment 1243252

Drain hole in valley:
View attachment 1243266

Great info thanks. I'll see what they find from the pressure test.

 

[ponytl]

most auto parts stores will loan you a pressure tester...

 

[shibubba]

^2001LC.... Amazing write up. That is some super valuable info!