Mark Johnson

iTrader: (1)

K guys- I have a small coolant leak that seems to have started when I dumped the original lifetime stuff. Got to wondering if I overfilled it but haveto think that any excess would boil away. Anyhow- I've been driving like this awhile now, refilling coolant as needed. How di I determine if it the passenger side head fasket- which I think it is as I saw some considerable drops of coolant on the lower A arm pillar when I was down there for an oil change and greasing. Engine performance is as good as ever and exhaust looks good so I wouldn't think any coolant is going into the cylinder. Is there a dye I can put in the system to track down with something like a blacklight..................
Thanks

budhayes3

iTrader: (19)

Yes, they do sell dyes for both coolant and oil, here's what a quick google search turned up: http://www.autobarn.net/fluorleakdet.html

If you have acess to a pressure tester, you can pump up the system and visually inspect for a leak before you try the dye. You say you saw coolant on the upper control arm, could it be from filling the reservoir, or a leaky reservoir? Also, the water pump gaskets are a common failure on these trucks, but that wouldn't explain the coolant on the control arm.

Mark Johnson

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, Bud- don't have access to a pressure tester so I'm gonna go the dye route. Now if I just had a blacklight.............................

slow.8

good luck, at least you`ve seen coolant. i havent seen a wet spot anywhere and am losing coolant at the rate of about a gallon every other week. no sign of leakage. im taking the water pump off and checking the gaskets. im hoping thats it for me.

budhayes3

iTrader: (19)

I've seen handheld ones for under $20 (or $20+ if it's from SnapOn lol)...here's one website that I found:

http://blacklightshop.com/

Here's one that's for sale with the intent to detect animal urine lol...it's tiny but only 10 bucks...

http://www.scoe10x.com/scripts/prodV...FQVxFQodB1nyrQ

and some more for $15 and less...

http://www.blacklightonline.us/?gcli...FQ-5FQodSCuCsg

These aren't expensive automotive inspection lights, but they emit the necessary UV waves to make the dye glow.

A pair of yellow goggles or sunglasses is also helpful to filter out other colors and allow the eyes to better view the dye.

This is an actual automotive kit that has both the uv flashlight and goggles for about $43, it's made by Tracerline, who has been selling leak detection equipment for years. I've used their stuff before with great results...I used to have the glasses before I "loaned" them to someone who never returned them...

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-72...-tp8640cs.aspx

Mark Johnson

iTrader: (1)

Thanks again, Bud- but really, wouldn't a black light bulb, like for those psychodelic paintings, from Wal Mart for a standard socket due- doing this at night, of course..............

budhayes3

iTrader: (19)

Yea, I don't see why not, it emits the necessary UV waves to make the dye glow. Might as well pick up some of those black velvet/neon colored posters while you're there lol

Mark Johnson

iTrader: (1)

I'll be sure and do that. I used to have one of a cobra...........