jteef
12-17-2013, 09:41 PM
I put a new expansion tank and coolant level sensor in sunday night. having fits with leaks since then. When coolant is hot, i start leaking a lot out of the bleed screw area, under the cap. The screw is pretty tight, but I do recall at one point during the bleed process that i was able to turn it past full stop where it popped back up a thread or two (tank was hot, bleed screw cold). I fashioned a heat shield, so I can let the expansion tank rest against the motor without melting to see the bleed screw and hose clamp fitting without obstruction from the fan shroud.
I also forgot to put teflon tape on the coolant level sensor threads, is this a big deal? It doesn't look likes it's leaking there, but I can't see the interior side due to frame / fan shroud and am getting a lot of water which I assume is coming from an uneven hose clamp on the return hose fitting at the base of the expansion tank. Really hard to see as the water isn't dripping until about midpoint of the radiator and is obscured by the fan shroud. I really don't want to drain everything again to tape the level sensor / completely remove the return hose from the nipple.
so questions: What's the best short term leak prevention on the bleed screw until I can get a new one shipped? Will teflon tape do any good with the air groove? Would a metal M10? bolt from home depot cause more problems? Just deal with refilling a cup or so of coolant every trip? I monitor the temps pretty closely with torque, so I'm not really worried about overheating / damage.
Lastly, what's a good chemical to clean all of this coolant off of the engine/belts/suspension? Will simple green do well enough?
I also forgot to put teflon tape on the coolant level sensor threads, is this a big deal? It doesn't look likes it's leaking there, but I can't see the interior side due to frame / fan shroud and am getting a lot of water which I assume is coming from an uneven hose clamp on the return hose fitting at the base of the expansion tank. Really hard to see as the water isn't dripping until about midpoint of the radiator and is obscured by the fan shroud. I really don't want to drain everything again to tape the level sensor / completely remove the return hose from the nipple.
so questions: What's the best short term leak prevention on the bleed screw until I can get a new one shipped? Will teflon tape do any good with the air groove? Would a metal M10? bolt from home depot cause more problems? Just deal with refilling a cup or so of coolant every trip? I monitor the temps pretty closely with torque, so I'm not really worried about overheating / damage.
Lastly, what's a good chemical to clean all of this coolant off of the engine/belts/suspension? Will simple green do well enough?