[V8] Trouble finding a coolant leak

[George Tur]

On Thursday 30 December 2004 03:18 am, Ed Kellock wrote:
> Check the fitting on the bottom of the coolant recovery tank.  It can
> crack and leak with very little or no obvious evidence to give it
> away.  The V8 tank is specific due to the orientation of the small
> outlet on the top, but others can be used as long as you're ready to
> replace the small hose from the top of the tank to the top of the rad.
>
>From: Kneale Brownson <knotnook at traverse.com>
>To: getur at optonline.net, v8 at audifans.com
> 
>Your symptoms commonly are described for a leak from the seal at the rear
>of the engine at the plumbing for the coolant reservoir.  I think it's an
>O-ring.  Coolant "disappears" onto the exhaust.  There's also the
>possibility of a head gasket leak.
>
>From: Dave Head <v8q at bellsouth.net>
> To: getur at optonline.net, v8newlist <V8 at www.audifans.com>
> 
>Sure - but the 3 main places you will lose coolant are
>1. Reservoir - cracked outlet neck on the bottom (most likely)
>2. Bad upper hose - pinhole leak at one of the bends a few inches from 
>where they enter the head
>3. Bad heater hoses
>
>With it heated up, is it maintaining pressure?
>Look at the inner fender liner behind and below the reservoir - and 
>whiteish streaking on the plastic?
>
>From: quattro <allanvega at adelphia.net>
> To: getur at optonline.net
>Not to alarm you, but if you cant see or smell it......chances are its 
>leaking into the combustion chamber or oil. If your oil looks normal, then 
>it may be leaking into the cobustion chamber. I would have a presure check 
>of the cooling system done to be sure. If it is  leaking you will have to 
>rplace at least one head gasket. At that point you may as well do the 
>timeing belt and water pump as the belt will have to be removedf anyhow.. 
>Allan

***********
Thanks for the replies. I have over the past 6 months, replaced the expansion 
tank, upper and lower radiator hoses, and the o rings where the heater hoses 
connect to on the block. I pulled the cover from over the heater core area 
and it doesn't look like there is any leak there. There is no contaminant in 
the oil or expansion tank. I'm going to bring the car in next week for a 
pressure test of the system to see if it can pinpoint where the problem is. I 
do hope it isn't the head gasket, that was just replaced 9 months ago when I 
had the new heads installed. Arghhhh! The never ending V8 saga.

George
91 V8 that is trying my patience