My car has a water leak under the bottom. I was told it was a freeze plug gone bad.
Jul 30, 2017 at 4:00 PM
water leak
1999 FORD TAURUS
BETTY MCDOUGLE
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- 6 POSTS
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CARADIODOC
- ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
- 34,321 POSTS
What is the question? Water leaking under the bottom of what? The engine? The dash? How often has the antifreeze been changed?
Jul 30, 2017 at 10:40 PM
I am sorry I meant bottom of motor mostly with the car running. If you put anti freeze in it it will run through. Could this be a freeze plug gone bad?
Jul 31, 2017 at 10:55 AM
CARADIODOC
- ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
- 34,321 POSTS
Freeze plug, AKA "core plug", is a good suspect at the mileage you listed, especially if the antifreeze wasn't changed every two years. Acids build up in the coolant when the additives wear out in about two years.
A leak this fast should be easy to locate. A pressure test might make the job easier. If the leak is too slow, you can consider adding a small bottle of dark purple dye to the coolant, then check a day or two later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source. Be sure to check for the dye inside the tail pipe.
Auto parts stores will have the dye for the fluid being tested, and those that rent or borrow tools should have a black light.
A leak this fast should be easy to locate. A pressure test might make the job easier. If the leak is too slow, you can consider adding a small bottle of dark purple dye to the coolant, then check a day or two later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source. Be sure to check for the dye inside the tail pipe.
Auto parts stores will have the dye for the fluid being tested, and those that rent or borrow tools should have a black light.
Aug 1, 2017 at 8:01 PM
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