coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but messy

[Charles B.]

I have a C4 coolant leak on the drivers side... not much but enough to be messy ...I'm new to NCRS and having a time with this web site!

[Don H.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles,
welcome aboard. Look for an email from me.

[Steven B.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles, have you isolated where on the engine the coolant is leaking? Between block and head, rad hose and engine, somewhere else?

[Charles B.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Steven I have not.....I thought that if some one had a similar problem they could tell me about it....I have had the water pump replaced when I first got the vette....and everything works very well..I'm 73 years old so I don't get under the vette much .....I do change the oil and filter from time to time....I have a very good Mechanic who is a true Corvette Guy and does a great job...but I wanted to join NCRS and just see if anybody and had this happen before.....

[Edward J.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles, You did not say the year of your C4 Corvette, There are a few common areas for leaks depending on the year.

[Charles B.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles, You did not say the year of your C4 Corvette, There are a few common areas for leaks depending on the year.

It is a 95 convertible with LT 1 engine...I have had water pump and opti spark replaced about 5 years ago....I cant see where the leak is coming from....It is only after the engine has sit after running that it leaks....

[Steven B.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles, is it normal "burping' overflow mis-routing to the drive? Steve

[Edward J.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles, sometimes the water pump gaskets will erode and cause a small leak, another area is the corners of the intake gaskets will also erode and have a small leak. Water pump issues are one of the big faults, and gasket that seal them. good luck let us know what you find.

[Charles B.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles, sometimes the water pump gaskets will erode and cause a small leak, another area is the corners of the intake gaskets will also erode and have a small leak. Water pump issues are one of the big faults, and gasket that seal them. good luck let us know what you find.

I will let you know for sure.....Its not bad but I'm sure it will get worst as time goes on....just part of owning a Corvette!.....The C4 is the only affordable Corvette that I was able to buy, and I'm committed to C4's come hell or high water.....

[Terry M.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Chuck -- welcome.

The time when parked after driving a car at normal temperatures is known as "hot soak." This is the time when a cooling system is at the most stress. Because coolant is no longer circulating the built up heat in the engine has no where to go but into the coolant around the engine.

At the lower rear of the water pump is a small hole that is a drain for water pump shaft leaks. Put your hand (after engine cools) under the water pump to feel for a leak there. Also run your hand under and around the coolant hose to radiator junction and coolant hose to thermostat housing to see if there are leaks or weeping there. Look at the air bleed screw on top of the thermostat housing. It could be as simple as a loose clamp. There is no substitute for eyes on however.

[Jim T.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Charles I discovered a leak on my 1985. I had replaced the water pump years earlier. Fixed the leak, I checked the torque on the water pump bolts and saw where the leak was coming from. The top drivers side bolt was off by 5 lbs. Tightened the bolt and leak stopped. Sure beat removing the pump to install new gaskets. So much parts have to be removed to get the water pump off.

[Martin M.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

A common spot is in the rear of the engine where the aluminum head and the iron block come together. I have done two of these, an '85 and an '86. I don't know how common this is in later c4's

Marty

[Michael D.]

Re: coolant leak on Drivers side of engine after engine shuts down...not much but mes

Drive the car to your mechanic's place. Have him/her put the car on the rack and look for the source of the leak.