What are the chances I damaged my engine?

1257 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Gearbox94, Aug 5, 2012

leakymustang

Discussion Starter · Jul 25, 2012

My car has been running strong. It still does. In the mornings it would sort-of bog after I had driven a mile or so for a little while. Then it would run great later in the day. I was trying to figure out what would cause this. I thought of "intake icing" I knew I had a leak in the radiator and figured 2/3 of the way full was low but would probably be okay since my engine temp gauge was reading dead center. Maybe it wasn't full enough to get to the intake to warm it it up. I got looking at things trying to figure it out when I noticed that the coolant level in the radiator when cold was about level with the middle or upper 2/3 of the water pump. I removed the water temp sending unit and put a pencil in to see where the coolant was. It was about 4 inches down from the top. I only did emissions like that ( I drove it pretty hard that day for 45min) and then 4 separate 20min commutes. It has been parked since waiting for a new radiator. It still runs and startd good.

My question before I put a new radiator in and fill with new coolant is.. From your experience what are the chances I have damaged something or warped the heads in that ammount of time? Mid 90 degree days temp gauge was always reading dead center. How much will reading change without coolant touching it?

Would I have noticed a performance change if something were damaged?

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· #2 · Jul 25, 2012

It doesn't sound like your level was extremely low, but it's really not possible to guess what might have happened. You're right that the temp gauge is pretty meaningless without coolant. I guess you'll find out when you get the radiator in. It will take a pressurized cooling system to determine if you blew a head-gasket or warped the heads.

I only wanted to comment that a fluid level the drops to water-pump height might be a leaking water-pump and not the radiator if you hadn't directly witnessed the leaking. Usually a leaking water-pump will be less dramatic than a leaking radiator and won't let off quite as much steam.

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leakymustang

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 25, 2012

I haven't ever had steam coming from the car. I noticed the radiator leak immediately upon filling with coolant and start-up two days after I had replaced the water pump. It leaked down to the level of the corrosion on the radiator. I guess I will wait and see what happens after a new radiator.

Thank you for the reply.

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leakymustang

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 27, 2012

I put the new radiator and coolant in yesterday. I let the car run for a few minutes and then drove it to get some dinner. On my way back I could see coolant on the road. I got home and Popped the hood. I had coolant all over the the front of the car. I hadn't tightened the cap on all the way. The strange thing (probably just a coincidence) is that when the car cooled down I took the cap off and the coolant level was back to where it was with the old radiator. Should I fill the resevoir tank as well? I thought it was just an overflow tank?

Maybe the old leak would only leak under pressure? so when the coolant was warmed up it would do basically the same thing as with the cap loose?

Yes it is over 20 years old, but I am not used to working on cars this new.

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· #5 · Jul 27, 2012

I'd probably replace the old radiator cap just to make sure. But yes, you do want to fill the reservoir up to the cold-fill line.

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leakymustang

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 28, 2012

I took it for a short drive today after filling the tank on the side. I also put a new cap on. I could smell a little antifreeze burning and was worried, I will smell the exhaust later, but for now I think I have found the only leak to be at the hose coming from the thermostat. It just seeps a little when hot.

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mustangreza

· #7 · Jul 28, 2012

the first thing i would do is go to the local parts store and get a cooling system pressure tester they dont cost a lot of money and they might be able to rent one from autozone or advance. put 16 lbs of pressure on the the it and you will find your leak if it holds 16lbs and you cant see any coolent then theres no leak

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Gearbox94

· #8 · Aug 5, 2012

well if the temp stayed normal i'd say your all right. And you didnt notice any lack in performance so you should be fine. warping heads and blowing head gaskets is when it starts over heating or revving to high in the case of a HG. i wouldn't suggest running the engine low on coolant like that though because it can do bad things if you temp starts rising. risking the engine over a 150$ rad isnt a smart thing though.

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