Hydrotest of 97 Challenger?

[LSaupe]

I have a coolant leak somewhere that I cannot yet seem to locate (picking up hot water in my bilge).

Looking at the coolant path it looks like I should be able to put a hose to this and possibly find a leak. I dont see a path for water to enter the engine (save for the exaust water inject hose, which I can pull off or plug).

Have any of you done a hydrotest on these systems before?

Larry S.

 

[Dr Honda]

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking.


Yes... hooking to a hose may help find a leak... but the water pressure is much higher while running full throttle, so a small leak may not show on the hose.

you shouldn't plug off the injection line since you will need it to keep the exhaust cool, and you shouldn't have any water flowing into the engine without it running because, if you have a leak around the pipe... you could fill the engine full of water.

 

[LSaupe]

Sorry for the confusion. My intent was to do a hydrotest without the engine running (due to the noise, smoke, vibration and to keep the wear off the carbon seal).

Looking at the flow schematic it doesnt appear water should enter the engine or pipe unless there is a failure of something (barring the small water injection hose that the manual mentions only adds water during higher power settings).

Agreed running the engine is the safer approach. Just trying to see if there is a good procedure out there to verify the coolant loop integrity (barring jumping in the back with the engine at power).

If someone suspects a leak, what is the common approach?

Larry S.

 

[craigy]

Lake Check!

Best way is flip-up hood and check anywhere between idle and 15mph,have someone else drive boat.I`m going in the morning to lake test before we have guess next weekend.Always a good idea to check boat out with one friend driving and me with ear muffs on/head down by engine.If pistons are in wrong place when you hook hose up[with out starting engine]it will flood you can`t even tow with out pinching off inlet tube.Alot can be learned with a lake test,I do a couple times a year.Can`t really do it with teenagers who want to tube:boxing_smiley:

 

[LSaupe]

Many thanks for the feedback here.

 

[Dr Honda]

I wouldn't chance pumping water in with a hose without the engine running.

As above... go to the lake with a buddy, and have them look into the engine compartment while running at 15 mph. At that point you will have very high water pressure, but still a low speed on the boat. Even the smallest leak will show up.

 

[LSaupe]

Great stuff here. Exactly what I was looking for.