1991 LeBaron coolant leak

[billccm]

I drove my 1991 LeBaron this afternoon from work to run an errand on the way home. The car is running like new even though it's odometer is showing 96K miles.

Ok, I came out to the parking lot after a 15 minute soak to discover the front passeger side tire in a puddle of steaming coolant. I raise the hood, and the entire bottom of the radiator is wet and steaming with coolant. I grab the flaslight, and try to look around. The AC compressor is a bit wet, but my bypass hose is fine, upper and lower radiator hoses look good, serpentine belt is dry. Overflow tank shows coolant level right below the 'max' level.

I drive home (approx 2 miles) and park out in front of my house and raise the hood. BONE DRY! No coolant, no wetness???

I shut the car off, grab a can of club soda, and wash off the radiator, AC compressor, etc, etc. Let everything dry.

Pull the car in the garage on ramps, grab my work lamp, and climb underneath. No sign of a leak, everything is dry? Took off the radiator cap, and it is above the neck with coolant.

So, I start the car, and let it idle until the fan comes on, and crawl under. No leaks, let the car idle another 11 minutes, fan back on, no leaks. Shut the car off.

It has set in the garge on ramps for three hours. No leaks???

I assume that perhaps this is an early pin hole in the radiator, any other suggestions?

Thansk for the advice. Have a nice weekend,

Bill

[NAJ]

Usually the Seal on the Plastic Tanks Leak,Also look closly at the Water Pump,Pumps tend to leak more after the engine is shut off,If this is a
2.2/2.5L the Pump bolts to a housing that bolts to the block and seals with a rubber gasket,the housing goes behind the timing cover so look carefully.
The best way to be sure is to Pressure Test the System.

[phantomrt]

Maybe it all leaked out so there is nothing left to make anything wet.

There is coolant in the resevoir, what about under the cap?

[billccm]

Thanks for the replies. The coolant level is good, both in the radiator at the neck, and in the coolant overflow. I have not added any coolant.

The car sat overnigh with no leaks.

I just drove the car 12 miles, and no leaks.

I'll call about a pressure test.

BTW, not only does none of the auto stores loan pressure testers, but no one sells them, either. Sears has a nice one for $90, but it is mail order only.

Thanks for the replies.

Bill

[NAJ]

Go to Automotive Tools, Air Tools, Robinair A/C Equipment at ToolTopia.com
They have a Stant Cooling System Pressure Tester for $68.87(Same as the one I use)You get Free UPS Shipping on all orders over $75.00.I have bought tools from them in the past and was very satisfied.Much less expensive than Snap-On,Mac,Matco.

[phantomrt]

Maybe you parked on top of someone else's mess. Hmmm. One other possibility is that those coolant resevoirs like to pour out their contents under hard left corners if it is full. I had that problem and it stumped me for awhile.

[billccm]

The overflow tank's outlet is way up high, just next to the upper radiator hose (this is a 3.0V6). The hose was dry, and the overflow tank has never been overfilled (I fill this myself).

I did not park over someone's previous spill; the coolant was steaming on the ground, and steming on the bottom of the radiator.

What stumps me is that this has not happened since. I drove the car almost 25 miles today, idled in traffic at 99 degrees outside temps, with and without AC, and it has not leaked a drop.

One thing I have noticed is that the thermostat does not whistle anymore? This thermostat has the air bleed machined from the factory in the thermostat, and you could always hear a faint whistle just before the radiator fan enabled.

I'll keep you guys posted (I may buy the Stant tool recommended).

Take care,

Bill

[charger R/T]

I have seen plastic radiators only leak at the seams after sitting over night and it leaks then only during warm up them will stop for the rest of the day.

If you said it was a 3.0 the water pump has a passage on it so that if it leaks it doesn't leak on the timing belt but will instead drop the coolant in the V of the engine. When there is enough in the V to leak it usually leaks on the trans. If the V does have coolant in it the piping can also corrode under there and leak just to let you know.

Also look for dried coolant. Dried coolant will leave a white/light grey deposit. look real close around the radiator seams for this. A slow leak on a hot raidator can cause for you not to see liquid coolant but the deposit will be there.

Last year my 94 lebaron (3.0) had a crazy leak and it ended up needing both a water pump and radiator.
Tim

[phantomrt]

I have the exact same overflow tank that the V-6's use. Yes, the overflow spout is way on the top. Fill it to the "FULL" mark, and after the coolant expands and sloshes around, some WILL come out of there, but never enough for there to be a puddle though.

As for the thermostat whistle, that is something else you were hearing. They don't whistle. If you hear this noise literally a second before the fan turns on, that is the alternator belt slipping a bit as the electrical load of the radiator fan takes a quick toll. I think. Weird things, man.

[billccm]

I took into a shop today (pressure test is only $16.99), and they let it sit in the bay under pressure for 20 minutes. No leaks. They pulled the car out of the bay, and it started leaking.

New radiator is required. New upper and lower hoses, thermostat, coolant, cap, and transmission lines for $385, which I did not think was too bad.

I'll let you know what I think when I pick up the car.

Thanks again for the replies,

Bill