I think I have a coolant leak

[KevGuy]

Hello,

2008 Ford Edge AWD with 140,000 km.

Last January I had to get an out of province vehicle inspection done. Everything was good but I was told my coolant reservoir was a little low and they topped it up. They told me it was no biggie and to keep an eye on it.

Went to the local garage today to get the oil changed, winter tires taken off and a general look over. The old fella there said my coolant reservoir was almost empty. He topped it up and to bring it to the line it took 2 L of coolant. He asked me if I could smell any coolant when driving. I told him no. I told him about the inspection thing from January. He said there was no visible sign of coolant in the used oil he just drained. He too told me that it was no biggie. The total volume of the cooling system is about 12 L.

Maybe it's me, but "no biggie" isn't what is going through my mind on this issue.

Comments?

 

[mclasser]

I'm surprised they didn't look for the leak, because you obviously have one. You shouldn't have to keep topping off the coolant tank like that.

Start looking around at the upper and lower hoses, heater hoses, t-stat and radiator itself. My I35 's reservoir gets bone dry every couple days but I know my radiator is leaking up at the plastic tank. Get the system pressure tested if you can't find the leak.

 

[clarkflower]

Similar issue.
I had a small crack in the seam of my radiator.
Never saw any water on the ground. It was staying on the supports

 

[Kuato]

UOA maybe? Just because he didn't see it in the oil doesn't mean that coolant is not present. Plus he wasn't looking for it.

Could be going out the tailpipe too; no evidence of leaks anywhere?

 

[eljefino]

If it leaks somewhere hot it'll boil off, but might leave white crusty residue.

 

[artificialist]

If the radiator cap doesn't hold pressure properly, small amounts of coolant will evaporate slowly.

I replace mine every 3 years just because I never see radiator caps last longer than that.

 

[KevGuy]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
If the radiator cap doesn't hold pressure properly, small amounts of coolant will evaporate slowly.

I replace mine every 3 years just because I never see radiator caps last longer than that.


Does the same idea apply for a vehicle without a rad cap, but has the pressurized reservoir?

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: KevGuy
Originally Posted By: artificialist
If the radiator cap doesn't hold pressure properly, small amounts of coolant will evaporate slowly.

I replace mine every 3 years just because I never see radiator caps last longer than that.


Does the same idea apply for a vehicle without a rad cap, but has the pressurized reservoir?

Yes. It is exactly the same.

 

[KevGuy]

I think I found it.

I went out and popped the hood to have a look. The first hose I checked was the one coming out of the bottom of the reservoir. Immediately it looked wrong. The spring clamp was slipped off and half way down the hose. I then looked at the hose end attached to the reservoir. It was almost completely come off! So I push the hose back on fully. When I went to put the spring clamp back on, it had no tension. It was already fully closed and would just slide down the hose again. By this time I had coolant on my hands so I knew it was leaking. It was after 6 pm so the only thing open was Wally. I ran up to Wally and got and adjustable clamp. In the parking lot I popped the hood, pushed the hose to make sure it was fully on and then screwed on the adjustable clamp nice and snug. I left the failed spring clamp on the hose as it's not in the way. When I looked down below this area where the hose was coming off I could see where the coolant had been dripping onto what looked like one of the engine mounts.

I'm kinda disappointed that this wasn't caught at the garage today. Also, do these spring clamps fail often? I checked the other hoses and connections and they seemed ok.

I realize that it was very close to that hose coming fully off and having a total cooling system failure all due to a spring clamp.

I marked the level in the reservoir with a sharpie and will monitor from there. I am hoping it has been resolved as the last time I had a coolant leak it was a internal head gasket failure which is not fun.

 

[Silverado12]

I've never seen a spring clamp fail, but supposedly some are one time use only. When you replace the hose, replace the clamp.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Silverado12
I've never seen a spring clamp fail, but supposedly some are one time use only. When you replace the hose, replace the clamp.


A lot of the Motorcraft or Ford OEM replacement hoses come with the spring clamp already installed. They are glued to the hose with a little clip holding the clamp open like on the assembly line.

 

[KevGuy]

Eric the Car Guy always reuses the spring clamps.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: KevGuy
I left the failed spring clamp on the hose as it's not in the way.


What makes you think the spring clamp failed?

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: KevGuy
I think I found it.

I went out and popped the hood to have a look. The first hose I checked was the one coming out of the bottom of the reservoir. Immediately it looked wrong. The spring clamp was slipped off and half way down the hose. I then looked at the hose end attached to the reservoir. It was almost completely come off! So I push the hose back on fully. When I went to put the spring clamp back on, it had no tension. It was already fully closed and would just slide down the hose again. By this time I had coolant on my hands so I knew it was leaking. It was after 6 pm so the only thing open was Wally. I ran up to Wally and got and adjustable clamp. In the parking lot I popped the hood, pushed the hose to make sure it was fully on and then screwed on the adjustable clamp nice and snug. I left the failed spring clamp on the hose as it's not in the way. When I looked down below this area where the hose was coming off I could see where the coolant had been dripping onto what looked like one of the engine mounts.

I'm kinda disappointed that this wasn't caught at the garage today. Also, do these spring clamps fail often? I checked the other hoses and connections and they seemed ok.

I realize that it was very close to that hose coming fully off and having a total cooling system failure all due to a spring clamp.

I marked the level in the reservoir with a sharpie and will monitor from there. I am hoping it has been resolved as the last time I had a coolant leak it was a internal head gasket failure which is not fun.


Nice catch! You are right, the shop should have found that.