Still loosing coolant

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

Hi Gang,

Several weeks ago I posted a " loosing coolant thread "
Thank you to everyone that responded.
I have since removed the Entire EGR system hoping that would cure the water leak and
also I just wanted it gone. I did the Weeks stage 1 and Stage 2.
to my dismay.......It wasn't the EGR system. I'm still loosing coolant.
The " add " coolant light comes on at just over 150 miles or so.
Suggestions please... Where to look.. What tests ??
Also note : its just got water in it. So also on a side note:
Whats the normal operating temp for a CRD. I have a Scan Gauge connected to the
OBDII connector. I have yet to see more that around 163 degrees on a 100 degree day with the
Air conditioning running.

Ok..back to the water leak.. I'm wondering if there might be some kind of fluorescent dye I could add to the water that would show up with a black light .
I had a can of leak stop once for an Air Conditioning system that had some kind of dye that would light up with a black light after dark. maybe something like that for water leaks ??

Thanks much

Clancy

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:36 pm

kibbleking wrote:

Hi Gang,
Several weeks ago I posted a " loosing coolant thread "
Thank you to everyone that responded.
I have since removed the Entire EGR system hoping that would cure the water leak and
also I just wanted it gone. I did the Weeks stage 1 and Stage 2.
to my dismay.......It wasn't the EGR system. I'm still loosing coolant.
The " add " coolant light comes on at just over 150 miles or so.
Suggestions please... Where to look.. What tests ??
Also note : its just got water in it. So also on a side note:
Whats the normal operating temp for a CRD. I have a Scan Gauge connected to the
OBDII connector. I have yet to see more that around 163 degrees on a 100 degree day with the
Air conditioning running.
Ok..back to the water leak.. I'm wondering if there might be some kind of fluorescent dye I could add to the water that would show up with a black light .
I had a can of leak stop once for an Air Conditioning system that had some kind of dye that would light up with a black light after dark. maybe something like that for water leaks ??
Thanks much
Clancy

Normal temperature for a Jeep CRD is 176 degrees F. see picture below
Yes there is UV dye available for the coolant at most auto parts stores. But it is only good if you are leaking coolant somewhere.
IF you are loosing coolant and see no leaks or drips anywhere, you may have a head gasket leak. Coolant is being consumed in combustion chamber and going out exhaust pipe.

Test for HG leak:
Engine at ambient temperature after setting overnight.
Remove coolant reservoir cap to ensure no pressure or vacuum is present and reinstall coolant reservoir cap.
Start engine and let it idle for about 30 to 40 seconds.
Open coolant tank cap and listen to hear if any pressure build up in tank was present.
If you hear pressure escaping when you remove cap, you have a head gasket leak or worse yet a cracked head. :grim:

ebmtnbkr · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:55 pm

I had a similar issue on my girlfriend's CRD and could not find the leak. After a month or so of unsuccessful troubleshooting, I took it to the dealer who tested it under pressure and found a crack in the coolant tank.

CRD was fixed, but today I noticed a bit of burned coolant smoke wafting out from under the hood when I shut down the engine. Grrrr... An active leak made finding the source quite easy. They put new hoses on, but not new hose clamps, and in some cases no hose clamps at all! So coolant is leaking out where the hoses met the shiny new tank.

Anyway, I'll be doing all the wrenching on this baby from now on since I just bought it from my girlfriend.

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

ebmtnbkr,

Wow !! Quality workmanship at that dealership.
Glad your CRD is repaired.
I really hope my coolant leak is External and easy to fix.
I got UV dye coming tomorrow . Pour that in drive a while and go
leak hunting after dark.

Thanks

geordi · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2018 1:42 am

WWDiesel wrote:

Normal temperature for a Jeep CRD is 176 degrees F. see picture below
Yes there is UV dye available for the coolant at most auto parts stores. But it is only good if you are leaking coolant somewhere.
IF you are loosing coolant and see no leaks or drips anywhere, you may have a head gasket leak. Coolant is being consumed in combustion chamber and going out exhaust pipe.

Test for HG leak:
Engine at ambient temperature after setting overnight.
Start engine and let it idle for about 30 to 40 seconds.
Open coolant tank cap and listen to hear if any pressure build up in tank was present.
If you hear pressure escaping when you remove cap, you have a head gasket leak or worse yet a cracked head. :grim:

Hey WW - The directions for the cold engine test should start with opening and closing the cap on the cold engine first to zero any possible pressure or vacuum. A properly functioning system or one with a very small leak can still be "sealed" and store pressure. Starting with it zeroed means any pressure MUST be from the combustion chamber leaking.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:42 am

geordi wrote:

Hey WW - The directions for the cold engine test should start with opening and closing the cap on the cold engine first to zero any possible pressure or vacuum. A properly functioning system or one with a very small leak can still be "sealed" and store pressure. Starting with it zeroed means any pressure MUST be from the combustion chamber leaking.

Updated post.

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

UPDATE....
I have a block tester kit on the way..
Its like a test tube thing you put a blue liquid in
the tube and stick the cone shaped end into the
reservoir and suck out the gasses in the top of
the reservoir. If it turns yellow.. Its bad.
I really hope its stays blue. However.. If yellow at least
I'll finally know where the leak is.
The UV dye has been in for a week.
No sign of it anyplace.. :roll:

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:21 am

You HAVE replaced your coolant cap, haven't you?
I didn't see that in the thread, but surely it would have been the first thing you tried?

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

GordnadoCRD,

No I haven't done that.
What would be the reason ?
The only issue I know of would be
the possibility of coolant getting pushed
into the overflow area of the reservoir .
its been bone dry always. At least since we've owned it.
Is there another issue your thinking about..
I'm here to learn..

Thank you

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2018 4:23 am

IF everything is working correctly, then yes, the coolant will be pushed into the overflow. If not, then you could be dealing with an evaporation issue. Honestly, the things are so darn cheap, it's not worth taking chances on, IMO.

Dzldust · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:55 pm

After you start the Jeep up and let run for 30-40 seconds ,do you open cap with motor running or shut off then open cap to check for pressure?

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:12 pm

Dzldust wrote:

After you start the Jeep up and let run for 30-40 seconds ,do you open cap with motor running or shut off then open cap to check for pressure?

Shut it off so you can hear for any release of pressure.
This assumes that there was no pressure before starting the engine. Which there shouldn’t be if the engine is cold.

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

Hi Gang, Well.....I did the Block Tester test kit with the blue fluid in the tube thing.. Good News.. It remained blue.. Bad news.. I still haven't found the leak. I beyond tickled thats is not a leaking head gasket. Unless I'm missing something..Seems like this test would also rule out any cracks in the cylinder walls or block or head. I ran the test 3 times. Blue blue blue.. SOOOOOO!!!!! now I'm thinking Pressure test time ??

Comments / Suggestions please..

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 07, 2018 9:39 pm

kibbleking wrote:

Hi Gang, Well.....I did the Block Tester test kit with the blue fluid in the tube thing.. Good News.. It remained blue.. Bad news.. I still haven't found the leak. I beyond tickled thats is not a leaking head gasket. Unless I'm missing something..Seems like this test would also rule out any cracks in the cylinder walls or block or head. I ran the test 3 times. Blue blue blue.. SOOOOOO!!!!! now I'm thinking Pressure test time ??

Comments / Suggestions please..

Yup.
Get a cooling system pressure tester.
Pump it up to 16 psi.
Remove all four glow plugs.
Unplug all four injectors (or pull the ASD fuse)
Go inside and get a drink or a snack. Come back about 15 min later.
Crank the engine and watch for water shooting out the glow plug holes.

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

flash7210,
Thank you,
lets assume water/coolant does come flying out of the Glow plug holes.
What would be the next course of action you would take ?
What would you suspect the problem is ??

Thanks...

geordi · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2018 1:44 am

That is the point that the head has to come off, and then be tested to see if it is cracked. If not, replace the valves and start with a fresh 2-hole head gasket and build it back up. This is a service that I offer, I'm the traveling CRD tech. I can't offer any testing of the head, but I can help you find a machine shop that can.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2018 4:31 pm

kibbleking wrote:

Hi Gang, Well.....I did the Block Tester test kit with the blue fluid in the tube thing.. Good News.. It remained blue.. Bad news.. I still haven't found the leak. I beyond tickled thats is not a leaking head gasket. Unless I'm missing something..Seems like this test would also rule out any cracks in the cylinder walls or block or head. I ran the test 3 times. Blue blue blue.. SOOOOOO!!!!! now I'm thinking Pressure test time ??
Comments / Suggestions please..

Did you ever perform the cold startup for a minute and shut down to see if there was any pressure buildup in the coolant tank per the test instructions posted above?
If so, what were the test results? :?:

also
where are you located?

If you pull the GP's and let set overnight or pressurize with a test pump and then spin the engine over and water or coolant comes out of any of the GP holes; it will be time to pull the head and determine exactly where and how coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. :banghead:

kibbleking · **Joined:** Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:16 pm **Posts:** 18

Leak Found !! At last the search is over.. At least for now..
My son brought over his pressure test kit.
got all hooked up.. pumped it up to 17 PSI and bigger than .... Big..
it was a weak spring clamp on one of the heater hose connections at the
firewall. Why so hard to find ?? The perfect leak.. What wasn't evaporating on the
turbo heat shield was dripping off the rear of it and landing smack Dab in the center
of the Exhaust line finishing off the evaporating process.
Easy fix.. Glad thats over for now...

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2018 9:13 pm

kibbleking wrote:

Leak Found !! At last the search is over.. At least for now..
My son brought over his pressure test kit.
got all hooked up.. pumped it up to 17 PSI and bigger than .... Big..
it was a weak spring clamp on one of the heater hose connections at the
firewall. Why so hard to find ?? The perfect leak.. What wasn't evaporating on the
turbo heat shield was dripping off the rear of it and landing smack Dab in the center
of the Exhaust line finishing off the evaporating process.
Easy fix.. Glad thats over for now...

That is Great News Indeed! :BANANA:

Love simple fixes... :-)r

rancherman · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2018 9:57 pm

kibbleking wrote:

Leak Found !! At last the search is over.. At least for now..
My son brought over his pressure test kit.
got all hooked up.. pumped it up to 17 PSI and bigger than .... Big..
it was a weak spring clamp on one of the heater hose connections at the
firewall. Why so hard to find ?? The perfect leak.. What wasn't evaporating on the
turbo heat shield was dripping off the rear of it and landing smack Dab in the center
of the Exhaust line finishing off the evaporating process.
Easy fix.. Glad thats over for now...

LOL, it's ALWAYS the last place you look!!

I'm surprised you didn't smell it!

Still loosing coolant

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