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Topic: WATER LEAK ?

in Forum: C3 Engines


WATER LEAK ?

Posted: 12/25/05 11:11am Message 1 of 5
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fortlauderdale, FL - USA
Joined: 3/15/2004
Posts: 288
Vette(s): 1978 greenwood custom vette, 468 blower motor side pipes.
THANKFULLY MY CAR IS RUNNING GREAT HOWEVER I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH WATER LOSS AFTER USING.
I SEEM TO LOSE ABOUT A PINT OF WATER AFTER EACH USE, THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS AND THE CAR IS RUNNING WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE.
CAN I HAVE A SMALL LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET - TO THE EXHAUST PORT ?
THERE IS NO WATER IN THE OIL.
ANY THOUGHTS ARE APPRECIATED.




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WATER LEAK ?

Posted: 12/25/05 2:28pm Message 2 of 5
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Columbia, TN - USA
Joined: 10/5/2002
Posts: 92
Vette(s): (1) 1971 Roadster, (1) 1971 Coupe (2) 1977 Coupes, (1) 1972 Coupe, (1) 1998 Coupe, (1) 1997 Coupe
Check the exhaust for excess moisture or white "smoke" after the engine and exhaust system is up to full operating temperature.  Depending on the distance you drive, you may not be able to detect any "steam" coming out of the exhaust.  One way to check that is more difficult, specially on a C3, is to do a compression check on each cylinder.  I hope that works out to be a simple repair.


WATER LEAK ?

Posted: 12/25/05 5:21pm Message 3 of 5
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Normally, a head gasket leak will allow water to mix with the oil, but...not always. If it is a small enough leak, it can vaporize the coolant in the combustion chamber, and the resulting steam will exit out the exhaust. Blowers are hard on head gaskets, anyway, so I would suspect a problem there, first. A compression check with the engine hot, should give a clue.
Another possibility is a cracked head.




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WATER LEAK ?

Posted: 12/25/05 10:54pm Message 4 of 5
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ANCHORAGE, AK - USA
Joined: 10/12/2004
Posts: 2193
Vette(s): 1965-327 coupe, 1968-small block coupe, 1969-427, 1971-454 coupe and currently a 1976-ZZ4 coupe reborn again,and hotter than ever.. Add a 1996 CE LT-4 for backup
I once keep losing  water and could not find the cause? I had a pin hole in a hose and when the vehicle got up in pressure it would come out the hole? I found it by using a pressure tester on the radiator? I was lucky it was simple..




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WATER LEAK ?

Posted: 12/26/05 9:30am Message 5 of 5
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

If the pressure tester does not show anything, you may want to try a chemical block test.  It involves a chemical in a tube over an air stone, the tube fits on the radiator outlet, and any air or gasses from the radiator passes through the air stone, and than throught the fluid.

The fluid reacts to Carbon Monoxide.  It changes color.  If you get a color change,  you have exhaust leaking into the cooling system.  Usually from a head gasket or cracked component.

Don't forget to pressure test the cap itself.  The cap is often overlooked and often the cause of small leaks.

kstyer38712.3967361111


in Forum: C3 Engines


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