puddle under car

[alimac]

We have an old 84 Corolla II with a 2a motor. This morning my wife went out to find a puddle under the front. The air con is disconnected, and it had been sitting in the shed since Saturday. I can't find any leaks, even with high revs and a warm motor. She filled it with water and drove to work and back (about 45km return) and the radiator and reservoir are still full. Does anyone have any ideas as to where the leak might be?

[Dell'Orto]

Any stray dogs in the area?

[Grrrrrrr!]

Including those of the two legged variety

[DVSMOTORSPORT]

Waterpump leaking when there's no pressure on the seals maybe?

[alimac]

Any stray dogs in the area?

Actually there was one in the back yard this morning, but the car was in a closed shed, so that can't be it.

Waterpump leaking when there's no pressure on the seals maybe?

The waterpump crossed my mind, but I thought maybe not when it didn't leak with the engine running. It didn't occur to me that the pressure might stop the leak. Is this a common thing to happen?

[DVSMOTORSPORT]

Yeh the pressure usually helps the seals do there job. Pretty common to happen. Never actually stripped one apart but pretty sure the spring on the seal either breaks or rusts.

[Stott69]

Could also try heater pipes?

[Lurkin]

air con?

[crispy'86]

air con?

He's got the a/c disconnected as said in his original post .
Could be water pump seals , had this same thing with customers car. With cooling system pressure tester on it 2 out of 3 times it wouldn't leak. But with the mirror and bright enough light could see it had been leaking

[Babz]

Would be starting with the Water pump. Have a look at the water pump housing there should be a little hole somewhere usually pointing to the ground. Have a look with a torch if you can see any sign or traces of leak. And as DVSMOTORSPORT said water pumps usually will not leak when running.

If nothing works camp out in front of the car untill you spot a leak

[AE82 FXGT]

I would be finding out what sort of fluid the puddle is for a start.

[iOnic]

^ this

Sniff it, lick it, taste it, rub it between your fingers etc

[Babz]

The fact that he originally said the water was filled and the car was driven makes me assume that it is water

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

queue experimental driveway suck

[Lurkin]

Lurkin wrote:
air con?


He's got the a/c disconnected as said in his original post .

Has it continued doing it/ is the water level dropping?

Have you checked the other fluids? particularly brake fluid?

[Mr Revhead]

I would be finding out what sort of fluid the puddle is for a start.

Yes. Yourself, don't ask the woman!

[alimac]

I did, and it was from the cooling system. It hasn't done it since. I'll keep and eye on it though.

Yes. Yourself, don't ask the woman!

Actually she's quite clued up when it comes to mechanical stuff. She knows how to do a valve grind and swap an engine etc.

Thanks for the help guys.

[DVSMOTORSPORT]

She knows how to do a valve grind and swap an engine etc.

[Mr Revhead]

I did, and it was from the cooling system. It hasn't done it since. I'll keep and eye on it though.

Yes. Yourself, don't ask the woman!

Actually she's quite clued up when it comes to mechanical stuff. She knows how to do a valve grind and swap an engine etc.

Thanks for the help guys.

I can see why you married her then!
Good job that man