Leaking coolant with the truck off?

[Number21]

The last few days I have come out to find a small puddle under my truck and what looks like a leaking thermostat gasket. I dried up all the coolant on the engine to look for the leak, but, it wasn't leaking anymore.

Just found another puddle under my truck, I haven't even driven anywhere today! It was dry when I parked it. Again I dried it up and started the motor but can't see any leaks. I just replaced the t-stat and the gasket not long ago.

Anybody have any idea what's going on here? I'd swear it's coming from the t-stat gasket, but only when the truck is parked?!

[bigwheel15]

Not a water pump on its way out?

[chebyshortbox65]

It's called a cold water leak it only leaks when its cold clean it off and keep checking it while it is cold to locate the leak
Posted via Mobile Device

[donut]

x2 on the cold leak. Warmed up parts expand, leak gone. Warmed up it may still be leaking, just evaporating before you see it.

Had it happen on a chrome water neck that didn't want to seal. Also on the water neck where the rad hose connects, corrosion can build up on the water neck preventing a tight seal on the hose. I seem to have this happen more on OEM necks.

Corrosion I usually clean off with a piece of plumbers cloth, if it's real bad, I'll use a file to get it close, then finish with sandpaper.

[motornut]

had water pumps do that,leak @ block
check these for leaks ,top and bottom,loosen the belt check for movement
check the heater core,under side of heater box, pass side floor

[crazeetxn]

Originally Posted by donut

x2 on the cold leak. Warmed up parts expand, leak gone. Warmed up it may still be leaking, just evaporating before you see it.

Had it happen on a chrome water neck that didn't want to seal. Also on the water neck where the rad hose connects, corrosion can build up on the water neck preventing a tight seal on the hose. I seem to have this happen more on OEM necks.

Corrosion I usually clean off with a piece of plumbers cloth, if it's real bad, I'll use a file to get it close, then finish with sandpaper.

Same thing happened to me. Bought the shiny chrome one off the rack. Constantly leaked. More so on the intake manfiold though vs. dripping. Went and bought a cast iron one and no leaks.

Like the others have said, check your weap hole on the water pump and also your pet cock valve.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Use the tar like gasket sealer on it. I the seals are bad in your water pump it can leak out the weep hole. ( I know you said water was on the intake). Make sure your hose is sealing as well. Like they said Cold water leak
Posted via Mobile Device

[tucsonjwt]

x2 on water pump and checking the leak hole on the bottom. If you see a rusty trail (from evaporated coolant) around the weep hole, then the pump is leaking. You will likely never notice this when driving, since it blows out on the ground when your truck is moving, but continues to leak a little when you stop the truck. I would tighten all of the hose clamps to be sure you don't have a leak there also.

[silvereagle07]

Use a pressre tester on it and you should be able to find it.

[1977K10]

I have a V8-400, and my radiator on the driver side lower area on the tank where the drain cock is I get leaks there, I an getting ready to put a bolt into that hole so I can stop it. that may be a place to check to.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by 1977K10

I have a V8-400, and my radiator on the driver side lower area on the tank where the drain cock is I get leaks there, I an getting ready to put a bolt into that hole so I can stop it. that may be a place to check to.

Take it off and clean it out and it will seal up
Posted via Mobile Device

[1977K10]

ok, I could do that, I have a few repairs to do on the ol' girl so I could do that