coolant leak

layoutshooter · Oct 3, 2006

Here is one for someone that knows engines better than I do. (that would be most people alive or ones that lived in the past or will live in the future.) I have a weird coolant leak. It only leaks when the engine is cooling down. It does not always leak. It can go as long as 6 weeks in between leaks. Then one morning I will go out and see as much as a gallon of coolant on the ground. We have changed the water pump that was leaking and I have tightend a hose that I saw leaking. No luck, still does it. The leak seems to be coming from above and to the right of the water pump as seen from facing the engine from the front of the truck. I cannot see any hose up in there but I cannot get up in all the way to see. The engine is a CAT C-12, 2001 model year. It is in a FLD-112. Any ideas? Thanks as always. Layoutshooter

davekc · Oct 3, 2006

Hard to tell exactly. I would have a repair shop pressure test the system. If it has a weakness it should show up. The only quess I would have assuming not hoses ect, would be a gasket leak either from the head or thermostat housing.
Even though it was replaced, a second look at the water pump might be warranted.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

RichM · Oct 3, 2006

I had something similar to what you described and it was the water pump. Try and steam clean the engine in the area of the leak and you should be able to see it.