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the mysterious leaking coolant

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: the mysterious leaking coolant
From: David Councill <dcouncil@imt.net>
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 11:18:16 -0600
My 72B, in the 90 degree heat, is losing coolant. I did have a small seep 
in one of the core plugs which I sealed off a week ago. But there is still 
some leakage somewhere. Looking under the car using a light, I can usually 
see a drop of green fluid hanging from the bottom of the bell housing. Now 
that in itself is no big deal except that despite never seeing coolant make 
it to the ground since the discovery of this problem, I have gone through 
almost a gallon of coolant in less than two weeks, mostly city driving in 
mid 90s. The car has never overheated although it has ran a bit hotter than 
normal when it gets maybe 1/3 gallon low in coolant (50/50 water & AF).

So one area I suspect is the radiator cap. A cheap thing to check perhaps 
and I suspect I can find a new one locally for a few dollars. Aren't they 
somewhat universal? But what pressure rating? Haynes says 7 psi "older 
cars" and 15 psi for "newer" but doesn't define what years that refers to. 
Moss shows 7-10-13 psi caps with a gradual increase in ratings as the Bs 
get newer. And my Bentley manual says 10 psi. Does it really matter much? 
Any other suggestions or cap recommendations? Yes I know another problem 
may be head gasket but there have been no signs or symptoms that this is 
the case even though its a fairly new engine rebuild.

David Councill
67 BGT
72 B





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