How to trace coolant leak

kinger

kinger

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Joined
Nov 12, 2004
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796
Location
Clear Lake, IA
Hey guys I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out tracing a coolant leak. It seems to be around the front heat exhanger but there is coolant around the water pump although it looks old. When the sled runs after 3-4 mins it will drip off the front right corner of the heat exhanger but I cant tell its it is running down to there from some where else or if it starts right there, anyone have any tips for tracking it down? Thanks!
 
I'd say run water from your garden hose thru it and see where it leaks, you could buy one of those things to spice into automotive coolant hoses to flush them. Just put it where the filler is.

If you see coolant around your water pump, then that coolant can run under the motor, and drip by the heat exchanger, making it appear as tho your exchanger is leaking.
 
Tracing problem

Kinger, I just went throught this on a wreck project I took on for the summer. I had the same exact problem in the exact same place. I couldn't tell where it was coming from to save my life. I took off one of the hoses to the rear tunnel coolant tube and put water through it and still nothing. I just couldn't tell where the water was coming from. I then took the motor BACK out and plugged the lower tube where it hooks to the water pump and the put 10lbs of air to the coolant line that hooks to the head. I could hear the leak but it still took me a while to find it. A weld had a hair line crack on the bottom right hand side of the front cooler. Just far enough toward the front of the sled that it couldn't be welded in place. I ended up taking the front heat exchanger out and getting it tig welded. I'd say try the air method at no more than 10lbs like I did and pray that your leak is not in as bad a spot as mine. Maybe yours is just a hose connection. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, you'll have to plug the overflow line off the coolant bottle with a 1/4" bolt because it will leak out there first otherwise. Good luck, my fingers are crossed for you. ;)!

Madmatt
 
Water pump

Hey Kinger, WAIT! Before you go through all that in my previous post take some time to check your water pump. There is a seal that goes bad all the time on a Viper. When bad, the coolant will go past the labrynth seal and come out a weep hole just on the motor side of the water pump. It looks like it is coming out of the water pump but it is not. Check this carefully first. In any case let me know what it was when you find it.

Madmatt
 
Yowzas maddmatt I hope my issues aren't that bad. Looks like I'll try to get better access to see what is going on. I have already bought that seal you speak of a few months ago and before i replace I just want to make sure its OK. When the snow flys I won't have time to track a leak. I'll report back what I find when I get to work on it this weekend.
 
I just use an automotive style pressure tester with a adapter that fits the filler tube. I know that I got the tester at Napa, but dont know where I got the adapter any more.
 
Coolant adapters

Come on Ding take that helmet off and think we need the answer. I need one of those adapters too. Anybody else?
 
"Adapter"

For an "adapter" I just took a 1/4 NPT air fitting and wrapped it with duct tape until it was the right diameter. I put it in the hose and tightened it down with the hose clamp. I plugged the other hose with a piece of wooden dowel. Turn the regulator on the air compressor down to 10psi and put her on there. Listen for leaks!!!

Madmatt
 
to check if its the waterpump seal just put a clean paper towel under the waterpump, start it, and see if the paper towel has some drips on it in a few minutes. Make sure to start it cold and let it get all the way up to temp, sometimes those seals seal either cold or hot, but then don't at the other extreme.
 
Madmatt said:
Hey Kinger, WAIT! Before you go through all that in my previous post take some time to check your water pump. There is a seal that goes bad all the time on a Viper. When bad, the coolant will go past the labrynth seal and come out a weep hole just on the motor side of the water pump. It looks like it is coming out of the water pump but it is not. Check this carefully first. In any case let me know what it was when you find it.

Madmatt
Click to expand...
I had the same problem on my wifes 01' SXR it's just the nature of the beast. My dealer told me that they have alot of thes go bad.
 
Had the same problem with mine. Brought back to dealer about 3-4 times and they went good for it 3 years later even. 02' Viper.
 
You guys are awesome!

To my dismay, I noticed a few drops of antifreeze under the waterpump of my 02 Viper this weekend. I was going to log in tonight to ask if anyone ever seen this on a Viper...and there's this post!
Thanks a bunch guys. I didn't know this was an issue on the Vipers.
I would like to repair this myself.
Do I just need the waterpump seal?
Can I replace it without draining the system?
Thanks for your help in advance.
 
I as told to replace the seal, O-ring around the WP cover, and the impellar. The impellar is $33 so its a cheap fix and you have to remove it to replace the seal. Yes you have to drain the system and bleed after that.
 
one word of advice. (also, do a search on this topic, several of us have provided a lot of info on the topic) I would highly recommend pulling the motor when doing the waterpump seal. It CAN be done with the engine in the sled, but it can be a real pain, much easier to take 10 or 15 minutes and get the engine up on the bench where you can get at everything easily in my opinion.
 
I have read that but am a little intimidated by pulling the engine at this point. Plus I'm mad I just reinstalled the carbs after I cleaned them and don't really want to pull everything off. I guess I'll learn my lesson when I start trying this in the sled!
 
You are approaching it wrong . . .

This presents yet another opportunity to become more familiar with the mechanics of your sled. Many times you can become more knowledgeable about a sled, even if you are a veteran mechanic by simply doing a repair that you haven't performed yet. This is stuff you cannot buy, and brings a sense of satisfaction that will ride with you every time you take your sled out.

Ok, maybe I am a little over the edge . . .
 
Ding, your right I'm such a novice and am proud just to be able to pull the carb rack and clean it successfully! ha ha I was struting aroung the house saying "Whos the man" in my head after I got the sled to fire and idle like a champ. A engine pull and clutch realignment is a little too intmidating to me just a few weeks before the snow flies. I have no issues trying it next year during the summer.
 
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