Coolant leakage problems - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

stumpy · 07-07-2013

Long time lurker, new poster. 1990 ZR!. 48K, owned since 1995, stock except aftermarker injectors. I blew radiator side tanks and just installed dewitts with new hoses and breeze SST liner clamps--now the issue, after start up as the engine warmed there became a very fine mist of coolant being thrown by the new serp belt. The odd part is as the system pressure and temp came up, the leak stops. The total volume lost is in the order of 1 ounce. Ran car for 15 minutes idle, 105 ambient AC on with no top shroud and temp still was below half way--radiator works well! Upon shut down I looked everywhere for some indication of leak origin, but none appeared as the belt threw it every where. After full cool expansion tank was down and reservior was about full, so no vacuum leak on cool down. No leaks when sitting cold. Water pump? hose conection in line with belt? small spray from hose to belt? Maybe I just need to continuously keep it at operating temp?

We Gone · 07-07-2013

See if you can feel up under the water pump just to be sure its not from the weep hole.

PhillipsLT5 · 07-07-2013

In Phx, getting it at operate temp may only take a minute or so, your bigger problem may be keeping at it temp in traffic, Dewitts will help, I had a spray throwing up under hood, it was hose clamps, check them out

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...%20Coolant.pdf

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...o/radiator.htm

stumpy · 07-07-2013

no problem on crud in radiator fins nor did I have any air pocket problems with the fill

Will check weep hole on pump, hoping it is not pump as I am kicking myself for not zero timing it while it was wide open for replacement.

The thing that is throwing me is the leakage appears to abate once the thermostat is open and the temps are stabilzed, I am used to seeing leaks start when hot and pressurized.

Hammer · 07-07-2013

Pressurize the system with a tool for that. You can rent them a Autozone or OReilly's if you don't have one. You'll find the leak and it will save a lot of time.

PhillipsLT5 · 07-07-2013

John, you got it right

07-07-2013	#1
stumpy Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: phoenix Posts: 2	Coolant leakage problems Long time lurker, new poster. 1990 ZR!. 48K, owned since 1995, stock except aftermarker injectors. I blew radiator side tanks and just installed dewitts with new hoses and breeze SST liner clamps--now the issue, after start up as the engine warmed there became a very fine mist of coolant being thrown by the new serp belt. The odd part is as the system pressure and temp came up, the leak stops. The total volume lost is in the order of 1 ounce. Ran car for 15 minutes idle, 105 ambient AC on with no top shroud and temp still was below half way--radiator works well! Upon shut down I looked everywhere for some indication of leak origin, but none appeared as the belt threw it every where. After full cool expansion tank was down and reservior was about full, so no vacuum leak on cool down. No leaks when sitting cold. Water pump? hose conection in line with belt? small spray from hose to belt? Maybe I just need to continuously keep it at operating temp?

07-07-2013	#2
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 2,170	Re: Coolant leakage problems See if you can feel up under the water pump just to be sure its not from the weep hole. __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold

07-07-2013	#3
PhillipsLT5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,452	Re: Coolant leakage problems In Phx, getting it at operate temp may only take a minute or so, your bigger problem may be keeping at it temp in traffic, Dewitts will help, I had a spray throwing up under hood, it was hose clamps, check them out http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...%20Coolant.pdf http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...o/radiator.htm

07-07-2013	#4
stumpy Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: phoenix Posts: 2	Re: Coolant leakage problems no problem on crud in radiator fins nor did I have any air pocket problems with the fill Will check weep hole on pump, hoping it is not pump as I am kicking myself for not zero timing it while it was wide open for replacement. The thing that is throwing me is the leakage appears to abate once the thermostat is open and the temps are stabilzed, I am used to seeing leaks start when hot and pressurized. Last edited by stumpy; 07-07-2013 at 07:05 PM.

07-07-2013	#5
Hammer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ideho Posts: 2,653	Re: Coolant leakage problems Pressurize the system with a tool for that. You can rent them a Autozone or OReilly's if you don't have one. You'll find the leak and it will save a lot of time. __________________ [I][FONT=Comic Sans MS]John Boyd[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]Ideho[/SIZE][/FONT][/I] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][I]2015 ZL1 [/I][I]Camaro #1121 BLACK/BLACK 6 SPD (540 RWHP)[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [I][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]1991 ZR-1 #458 [COLOR=red]RED/[/COLOR][COLOR=black]BLACK 72[/COLOR]k miles ([B][COLOR=red]SOLD[/COLOR][/B]) 1991 ZR-1 #473 [COLOR=red]RED/[/COLOR][COLOR=black]BLACK [/COLOR]37k miles ([B][COLOR=red]SOLD[/COLOR][/B])[/SIZE][/FONT][/I]

07-07-2013	#6
PhillipsLT5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,452	Re: Coolant leakage problems John, you got it right