71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

Hello, I recently purchased a 71 LT1 - M20 in Fully Restored Condition. Everything is brand New Under the Hood on this Car. I have driven it about 200 miles in the last 2 weeks and I have been noticing a line of anti freeze going up my driveway and into my garage. When I shut the car off, after about 30 seconds, about a full glass of antifreeze pours out of the bottom of the car coming from a hose.

- The antifreeze is coming from a hose that is pointing down to the road. Obviously an overflow tube.
- There are no holes or cracks in the hose.
- Radiator and all hoses are new and have no cracks or holes.
- Driveway is level.
- The car is not overheating, the temp gauge has never gone above the 1/4 mark.
- Oil Pressure is Fine.

Can anyone help me on this one?

Thank you in advance.

RE: 71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

if its being forced out of the resevoir hose, i would think that it has to be running hot...or its terribly overfilled. have you oened the hood while this is happening? any gurgling noises?

RE: 71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

Thanks Patrick,

I opened the hood the last time this happened (when the car was not running) and I didn't hear any gurgling or any other noises. I have not started it since.

I don't think the engine is running hot (temp gauge shows normal), but I know the gauge can be off. It has been 55mph open road drives.

I don't think the system is overfilled, because I have already lost alot of antifreeze.

- Do you think an incorrect mix with too much water or antifreeze can cause this?
- What should I look for and listen for the next time the car is running?

I plan on taking this car about 80 miles on Father's Day and I am very nervous.

Thanks.

RE: 71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

too much water or antifreeze cant cause things to cook more or less...i run all water in my drag car because antifreeze is hard to clean up in the event of a blown motor...if it was leaking from somewhere random, i would think that there is a problem in the system...but coming out of the overflow...just screams overheating to me...i would check the coolanr level, maybe top it off with some water, and drive it a bit...enough to get it up to temperature...it also sounds to me that your temp gauge should be up a bit higher...most vehicles stock gauges from that era are set to rest in the middle under normal operating temperatures...does it have a clutch fan on it? the hose that the coolant is coming out of, what is it physically attatched to? has this engine been built and restored to stock, or is it built?

RE: 71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

Thanks Patrick for your help. I will be treating this as, It's running hot. The temp gaugue, like you said is probably not going past the halfway mark. Thanks again.

RE: 71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

I would check the radiator cap. It may too low a pressure for your car. I would also run the engine at idle with the cap off and look in the radiator for bubbles coming up. That would indicate a head gasket leak and that would create too much pressure in the system without overheating.

RE: 71 LT1 - Leaking AntiFreeze - Help
 

Hey PG is your's a coupe?