Coolant Leak

[Shinsen774]

I have a 1964 MGB, stock engine except the alternator and manual plumbing fixture for the heater control valve. Head rebuilt last winter and installed by a reputable MG expert mechanic. This winter, I have developed a small coolant leak. I drive the car once a week or it may sit for as long as three weeks. I have a plastic drip tray on the floor.

Four or five days after I drive it, a small puddle of coolant, perhaps a thimble full or two, will appear on the floor of the garage in the tray. It appears to be coming off the back edge of the cross member just about dead center. I check every day. The drip does not occur until it has been sitting several days. I checked all hoses and hose connections. Radiator drain valve looks good. The heater valve is dry. Radiator seems OK. Nothing obvious with the water pump area or head gasket, although the water pump seems to be most likley culprit given the location.

What is y'all's advice on where to check next? Why would it only leak so long after sitting? Thank you.

Jim

 

[bob67bgt]

Any chance its the heater core. The drip may be comming out of the drain just at the rh top of the transmission. ???? Bob

 

[Stewart]

If you can reach it feel around the bottom of the water pump and make sure all the hose connections are still tight.

 

[bgbassplyr]

Pressurise the radiator (there is a tool for this that replaces the rad cap), wait for a drip and follow it to the source.

 

[Shinsen774]

Just to close the loop......the culprit is the seal starting to leak in the water pump. The pump has a weep hole where the coolant seeps out when this happens. I caught it early. New pump ordered. Should be back in business shortly.

 

[DrEntropy]

An hour's casual labor!!! Plenty of time fer a CAB or two before sunset! :wink: