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will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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Bumperbozo
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Apr 24, 2018, 7:18 PM
Post #1 of 8
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will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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Had it on the lift when getting an oil change and saw what looked like coolant coming from the connection between the radiator and the transmission cooler line:
The oil change shop guy said that these kinds of leaks are usually a problem with the radiator, which usually has to be replaced because the fitting gets screwed up on the inside somehow. (if anyone is familiar with this, please tell me about it). So I took it to the shop that put in the radiator to get warranty service. They say they've had it under pressure for 24 hours and there are no leaks.
Is it possible for a leak at this fitting to occur without creating pressure loss on the gauge at the radiator cap?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 25, 2018, 12:03 AM
Post #2 of 8
(1982 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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I'm dizzy looking for what angle this is from but it's leaking. The 24 hour wait is BS someone just doesn't want to do warranty work perhaps if it is recent enough for that? Can't tell from that pic for sure you would wipe that dry then pressure and usually see it come back.
For all you know it's from filling it or somewhere else for the moment.
Side topic: Dump that hose clamp it's corroded already doesn't jive they make correct or better ones. That alone could be the problem or coming up next?
T
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Bumperbozo
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Apr 25, 2018, 9:06 AM
Post #3 of 8
(1968 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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when you say it is BS, do you mean it is not a conclusive test, or you think he is making it up?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 25, 2018, 9:29 AM
Post #4 of 8
(1963 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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No, it would be shocking it the same pressure held for 24 hrs. just because of temperature would have to be exactly the same. You can find leak like you showed a lot faster than that.
Just without any test is a fluid not staying full and for cooling systems if it will warm up and hold pressure you can feel (carefully) as it warms up from cold usually the large upper hose you feel it build pressure which is from expansion of coolant and has to as it also raises the boiling point of the mix so you don't overheat then you'll have real problems!
The area shown had wetness around with no clear trail to source as if it had been there some time is just a thing I noticed. If checking with applied pressure test start with the suspect area dried off!
Just know "antifreeze mix" doesn't dry quickly and usually leaves a trail of evidence if very slow. Plain water doesn't and oils are oils not involved.
This shouldn't be so hard to figure out by a shop and tech with a clue but is very important to find it or just maybe find out some quick oil change place (anyone could) spill some product in topping off fluids. You aren't usually told which ones get topped off and really should. Vehicles to NOT consume coolant normally but does have a different level when hot or cold as in overnight cold never mind your weather and hot is operating temperatures anytime.
Any which way you need to find out why it showed green coolant there already said I'd clean it off and look with a pressure tester, mirrors and a light if needed and wipe clean watch it come back right away that's all for that then fix or know it wasn't found and keep an eye on it,
T
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Bumperbozo
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Apr 26, 2018, 8:03 AM
Post #5 of 8
(1945 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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well i went over there and they had it in a stall, i guess an extra one if that's a thing that exists, which supports the claim that they were pressure testing the cooling system. the lead service advisor claims that the radiator company would pay them labor if they can find a leak. All in all, I'm inclined to believe them. so unless its one of the intermittent variety of problems that always drive me nuts, i guess it was some kind of extreme coincidence that coolant splashed in that place. I'll try to pressure test it myself to make sure, tho.
unfortunately I couldn't do any more business there because as good as the mechanic has been to us, this new shop he's with is very shrewd and wanted a thousand bucks to do what amounted to half of a 150 mile service that tends to go for 3 or 4 hundred according to repairpal.com.
(This post was edited by Bumperbozo on Apr 26, 2018, 8:24 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 26, 2018, 11:07 AM
Post #6 of 8
(1930 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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OK - the reason I questioned the 24hr under pressure thing is that area isn't so likely to be intermittent rather just very slow maybe not fast enough to watch pressure drop much but said temperature totally counts. Engine cold or at ambient temp and stay in that temp (closed shop it might) hold the same for that long. I don't think much would stay put either go up or down depending on temp the vehicle is in never mind if running it coolant expands and contracts with temperature which is why there are min./max. lines on recovery tanks pressure cap there or on radiator you didn't say?
So look at that pic is all I see to essentially guess. It's not actively dripping that I can see as it's dry all around where metal line goes into the end tank which is plastic junk to me but they all are. If active why isn't it a line of wet is all to confuse me or what happened already before that picture?
You would clean that area suspect spot clean with a soap and spray water blow it stone dry they watch it under pressure it what I'd do see it bleed like a small cut on a finger type thing if you squeezed make it bleed or the vehicle pressure make it leak and watch. You can probably rent a pressure tester for free ask at parts stores. If leaking there and you can have the whole area clean and dry and watch it come back that's it. What you don't know it what the fix is which could be a fault in plastic or how that's connected. If you overtighten into plastic with metal you'll bust the plastic.
You did say an oil change place musters my fear that if a speedy lube type place who knows what untrained person might have done what and spilled what where and there isn't a problem at all to be found right now? I nor you can know that just yet but not thrilled with what should be an easy diagnosis that the problem is there and real not being fooled not very common but enough pin holes from another spot could spray so fine it's spider web thin you don't see the source without like putting paper there while actively leaking under pressure see it's a super fine fish line leak rule that OUT so it isn't all a mistake.
Plenty of reasons for a leak this does seem like the fitting right there and being intermittent or able to dry off is shown around area isn't consistent as the green coolant should have left a trace I don't see. Of course not neither of us know what was done, just that picture and the guess probably true the fitting has some problem to be discovered then what it need to stop that and it has to stop,
T
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Bumperbozo
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Apr 26, 2018, 12:19 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1928 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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the temperature thing is a good point. maybe i'll just drive it some more and then look at it again.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 26, 2018, 12:51 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1924 views)
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Re: will all small leaks show up in a cooling system pressure test?
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NO! Clean it off now. Right now if cool/cold just start it and let it warm up but must begin from cold whatever air temp is. Now feel a large hose first so you know what zero pressure is many are good (see new sticker in the pic) and can squish it to touch. Now with an average of ~15 PSI cap rating says so on it should and must hold that as coolant expands at that time now careful hose can be quite hot use a glove and good sense feel that it has pressure. If nothing the leak is winning in what showed or another unseen area too much.
Problem is if it leak liquid coolant OUT when cooling down the vacuum from that is just sucking air in from where it was leaking now you are not 100% coolant/liquid where it HAS to be or will risk up to real damage frequently by surprise you won't like the cost of.
It has to do this meaning hold pressure and be full without air. Pressure: Just 15 PSI raises the boiling point of plain water to 257F not 212F @ sea level. Antifreeze mix 50/50 is worth a few degrees but counts on pressure for the boiling point same as you see on a stove is bubble -- those don't cool your engine liquid does.
Follow me? Known to be verbose just don't want you to end up with a warped head or worse over just this stupid maybe leak.
A lot of this is I have serious problems with any fast oil change type place or a real shop trying to beat the clock is dangerous. It's so easy to mess up and ruin an engine for mixing wrong fluids, not telling you it's low on what and how much added should concern you just be told that one should never be low but those drive thru places wouldn't know that necessarily not the people fault the aim is RUSH and be cheaper both. It's a more serious thing to service the vehicle than fast, maybe free coffee or donut crap and whiz ding you are ready to go.
As simple as changing oil and filter is plus checking fluids and the list in owner's manual is so dang important you can ruin a car for doing it all wrong to be fast or save a buck vs a whole engine.
Just don't fool with your vehicle and non professionals for vital work anyway.
This dang problem could be as little as it needs tightening up right there but dammit you really need all the open ended flare nut wrenches almost no fast place or tech with less than needed equipment/tools should have you are paying and shouldn't have to know all details IMO they should!
Sorry for the book the answer is NO don't just keep driving it till this has a reason found and solved or AYOR for up to $1,000s in damage down the road,
T
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