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shanebergman702
New User
Apr 1, 2019, 9:41 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1225 views)
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Ok I'm going to give as much detail as possible .. I have a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis LS (4.6 liter V8) I just purchased this vehicle about 3 weeks ago, and for the $1000 I spent on it and its age and mileage (168,000) it rode like a dream, engine was still super powerful, and felt like I was riding on air. The only thing wrong with it was the control arm bushings on both sides are shot. So in the process of going to work and back and a couple times to my girlfriend's mother's house, I managed to put around 450 miles on it, with absolutely no problems. However late at night maybe 4 days ago I took it to the 7-11 literally less than a quarter mile away from my house... Went there and back fine... 8 or 9 hours later I put my kid in his car seat and start backing out and immediately cut the engine because I see essentially a small puddle in front of me as I was backing out. It's coolant and alot of it- all of it. I don't believe there's any oil in it or anything but it emptied my whole reservoir and everything. And when I looked underneath there's actually a other larger puddle of course resting in the skid plate that didn't make it over onto the ground. I don't have any idea beyond a hole in the radiator what this could possibly be. I was under the impression that you will usually hear a pop if you bust a hole in the radiator? Also the night before when I drove it it was still like a dream, no overheating, not the slightest indication anything was wrong... Any help would be greatly appreciated
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 1, 2019, 11:40 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1218 views)
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Re: Coolant Dumped
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Basics: You just got this and seemed fine for a few weeks then dumps coolant. Just that, pressure check cooling system find where it's leaking especially the intake manifold too could be plastic and corner of these would crack.
Full of sealer (check for that) it might behave long enough to sell it. Just ducky isn't that?
I suggest start over and send it out for the full check up it should have had pre-purchase know where you stand now add it overheated now and what that did.
Right now can't know if a leak or just overheat lack of holding pressure it would barf up coolant just like that, when you stop so does good airflow from motion so it barfs. Not the problem it's the result of another to find,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 2, 2019, 5:09 AM
Post #3 of 6
(1203 views)
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Re: Coolant Dumped
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Pop when the radiator starts to leak? I don't know where you ever got that idea.
You have a leak in the cooling system somewhere (not unusual) and you need to have the cooling system pressure tested to find the leak.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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shanebergman702
New User
Apr 2, 2019, 4:20 PM
Post #4 of 6
(1190 views)
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Re: Coolant Dumped
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Pop when the radiator starts to leak? I don't know where you ever got that idea.
You have a leak in the cooling system somewhere (not unusual) and you need to have the cooling system pressure tested to find the leak.
Could have swore I heard somewhere when you pop a hole in the radiator you'll hear it, I don't know maybe I made it up in my head lol. But if it was just a 'leak' wouldn't it have slowly been leaking the whole time? Cause there was not a drop of fluid of any kind leaking, then all at once overnight it's all gone? I don't know anything about it so I'm not criticizing your answer by any means I'm just honestly asking, hope it's not a stupid question. And also, it never overheated, not while I was driving it, that's going by the gauge.
I don't know how to pressure check the system, and before I realized I had any replies to this, I filled it up with distilled water, and started it.... Let it run, looked under it at 10 mins... Not a drop, looked under at 20 mins... Not a drop, 30 mins the same thing. Drove it around the block a few times, didn't overheat, parked it and not a single effin drop. Checked it this afternoon before I went to work and all the waters still in it, not a drop underneath...
I'm baffled.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 2, 2019, 4:45 PM
Post #5 of 6
(1184 views)
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Re: Coolant Dumped
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Leaks can appear in all different ways. Some start slowly. Some leak suddenly. Some build up a puddle somewhere before it hits the ground and some drip onto exhaust and evaporate and never hit the ground. When the engine heats up, the system runs under pressure and that is when things start to leak. the pressure remains for a period after the engine is shut off.
A pressure tester is a tool used by repair shops to induce leaks. That is what needs to be done next to locate the leak.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 2, 2019, 10:52 PM
Post #6 of 6
(1172 views)
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Re: Coolant Dumped
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shanebergman702 : It has to hold pressure as temps will get above boiling points. Pressure raises boiling points should use about a 15lb pressure cap system with distilled water (mix with that not 100% ever) at sea level wouldn't boil till 257F a bit higher mixed with antifreeze.
When stopped you rely on fan(s) to exchange heat from radiator.
In short - pressure check is seeing if system holds that at all it might not show a leak just not hold so would boil over. Vapor doesn't exchange heat a liquid does. When you drive and slow down you've lost moving air from motion so fans if working take over + heat from running along builds up is when this needs help getting rid of heat and doesn't have it for several reasons.
Now will be if additional damage has occurred because of being too hot just in spots of most any engine is really risky.
You can rent pressure testers in some outlets or get that done. Read instructions for their use, engine off (test) is all for now.
Do this: Run heater and if you lose heat quit running it things aren't right and getting worse up to the end of this car it would cost too much to be worth it for one of these IMO if damaged too much.
It's just my original hunch this problem was there before you got it and covered up now it's yours. Time to find out the real deal,
Tom
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