Hey buds,

I pressure tested the cooling system of my 03, 3.5.

• I pumped it to 15lbs and then let the car sit. Came back 1 hr later and saw the pressure had dropped to 12 lbs. I dropped down under the car and found a "small drops of coolant" on the ground---coming from the "Thermostat Area."
• Since the car was not on a lift, I couldn't see under the Thermo, and the Heater hose coming off the thermo, but the leak is coming from this area. I also read that the Water Pump is also located in the same area.
• The car loses about 1 qt of water every 2 days and overheats if i don't fill it every 2 days. (which is what i've been doing). The Car occasionally blows white smoke---but there is no change in the oil color or texture (an indication of blown head gasket). There is also no shooting water from radiator, when i run the car with the Radiator cap OFF.
• The car runs fine---no loss of power---but i'm hesitant to drive it any distant.

IS THERE anyway to tell if its a Water-pump leak---or is it just the Thermostat Gasket leaking?

• What do you think?
• My mechanic has a lift...i could look at it from there?
• Should i get some dye for the system to help locate the Leak?
• I could change the Thermostat and heater hose and see what happens?

thanks for Input!


~S

 

Not that it matters much, but the FSM recommends 23 PSI on the testing pressure. It seems you found your leak anyhow with the 15 PSI.

It could be either the thermostat gasket or the water pump. See if you can get in for a closer look after you have been running. Any coolant that leaks out will give you white haze when it dries.

You can always just change the thermostat and gasket yourself first and see how it reacts after you change it. Pressure test again and see if you spot anymore leaks.

 

thanks FM

...yeah, that's what i thought too.

 

Check the hoses and thermostat housing first. It's pretty rare to hear about problems with the water pumps on these cars. Evan as they get into the 200-300,000 mile range.