Those of you who have endured my questions on leaks in the heating system might be interested to know that my 85 camper sprung a leak in one of the large metal coolant tubes, ruined a head, and had to be towed back and the head replaced. It seems to run fine, now. However, I can still (as in before the overheating) smell coolant in the passenger compartment. I do not think it comes from the rear heater. That used to leak but is repaired and shows no signs at all of leakage. So! My question is, does anyone have any good techniques for finding a coolant leak that so far shows itself only by the odor? I'm finding no leakage anywhere. The system seems to hold pressure pretty well, which should mean the leak is minimal. But maybe I'm paranoid. My concern is that if it smells, there is a leak, and if there is a leak, at a minimum, air is being pulled back into the coolant system on cool-down which means both that air pockets will form and coolant will be displaced. In other words, the same condition that has given me problems before.
Jim - Farmer - Iowa City, IA, jnmeade@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu |
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