Coolant Leak and Front Plate Holder!!!
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
Coolant Leak and Front Plate Holder!!!
What a WEIRD thread name, right? Well, it's been a while since I posted a thread, so forgive me. lol. But really, I'm just being lazy and want to just talk about both in 1 thread 
So first the sorta bad news:
As you know, I activated her a couple of weekends ago now. So when I started her up, everything was all fine, then I pull her out to the driveway, all good. I then look back in the garage floor and I see this:
After letting out a loud swear, my heart then sank. I panicked, thinking omg... did my radiator just give out, or something worse in the engine? Then my rational side kicked in, and realized, I purposely put two diff't color coolant fluids for a reason. Seeing that it was green, I knew then it was from the supercharger coolant system...SOMEwhere.
I looked at the reservoir. Nothing. The coolant lines to and from the blower. Nothing. I went underneath the car and saw this:
So I was worried it was from directly above, by the engine/blower area
That would not have been good.
Upon further inspection, I found this:
That my friends, is the supercharger coolant pump. Arrrrrrrrgggggggh... Did the pump fail?!?!?!? internally? its seals? Either way, it would be a pain. So I called my buddy up at the shop, and scheduled a time the next day or so. I checked the level, and it barely moved down, if at all. Which meant, it was just a slow leak.
Needless to say, he fixed the issue. And you know what the culprit was? It was the **** SPRING CLAMP. It was the stock spring clamp that came from Magnuson. My question is: HOW does a spring clamp FAIL, when I have NEVER touched that thing since I installed it 3 years ago??? We guessed repeated hot/cold temp cycles - stressed it out. So my buddy Jay replaced both clamps, topped off the system, and she's good as new. Obviously he checked for elsewhere in the system, making sure it was the only source. It was. So the coolant trickled from that area (front of car), all the way down to the oil pan area... it rode the K member, etc. So weird.
Crisis averted. It was scary though.
EDIT: Some of you might think - why the heck is he having a shop do it? Can't he fix it on his own since he did almost all the mods on that car? Well yes - yes I did. Problem is, I don't have the time anymore. I was so p'oed at the whole thing, I didn't want to deal with jacking it all up (I still don't have my lift at my new house yes... once I move, and soon), and emptying the coolant, then refilling, blah blah. Jay is a good friend of mine and he does great work. He's the ONLY guy I trust with Marilyn. So why not, I thought.
The other topic was - while Marilyn was with him, he went ahead and made me my own custom front license plate install, for those times when I know I will driving in popo infested areas. Quick screw on, tighten. No tools. He mounted it to beneath the intercooler radiator, using existing tapped holes... then welded a couple pieces, painted it, and voila. Jay rocks.
So that remaining shaft you see, I painted more black so it blends in, but I can also remove it quickly by accessing it through the bottom. For now, I am leaving it on in case I need it... and you can't see the mount in the black recess cavity.
He also put a piece of foam to prevent any touch/scratch on the Xpel'd front bumper (it doesn't even touch, actually).
So anyways... just thought I'd share some updates - been a while - now that Marilyn is active. She does remain under wraps for another week now though, because it JUST snowed yesterday 7". Wonderful. Come on spring....
So first the sorta bad news:
As you know, I activated her a couple of weekends ago now. So when I started her up, everything was all fine, then I pull her out to the driveway, all good. I then look back in the garage floor and I see this:
After letting out a loud swear, my heart then sank. I panicked, thinking omg... did my radiator just give out, or something worse in the engine? Then my rational side kicked in, and realized, I purposely put two diff't color coolant fluids for a reason. Seeing that it was green, I knew then it was from the supercharger coolant system...SOMEwhere.
I looked at the reservoir. Nothing. The coolant lines to and from the blower. Nothing. I went underneath the car and saw this:
So I was worried it was from directly above, by the engine/blower area
That would not have been good.Upon further inspection, I found this:
That my friends, is the supercharger coolant pump. Arrrrrrrrgggggggh... Did the pump fail?!?!?!? internally? its seals? Either way, it would be a pain. So I called my buddy up at the shop, and scheduled a time the next day or so. I checked the level, and it barely moved down, if at all. Which meant, it was just a slow leak.
Needless to say, he fixed the issue. And you know what the culprit was? It was the **** SPRING CLAMP. It was the stock spring clamp that came from Magnuson. My question is: HOW does a spring clamp FAIL, when I have NEVER touched that thing since I installed it 3 years ago??? We guessed repeated hot/cold temp cycles - stressed it out. So my buddy Jay replaced both clamps, topped off the system, and she's good as new. Obviously he checked for elsewhere in the system, making sure it was the only source. It was. So the coolant trickled from that area (front of car), all the way down to the oil pan area... it rode the K member, etc. So weird.
Crisis averted. It was scary though.
EDIT: Some of you might think - why the heck is he having a shop do it? Can't he fix it on his own since he did almost all the mods on that car? Well yes - yes I did. Problem is, I don't have the time anymore. I was so p'oed at the whole thing, I didn't want to deal with jacking it all up (I still don't have my lift at my new house yes... once I move, and soon), and emptying the coolant, then refilling, blah blah. Jay is a good friend of mine and he does great work. He's the ONLY guy I trust with Marilyn. So why not, I thought.
The other topic was - while Marilyn was with him, he went ahead and made me my own custom front license plate install, for those times when I know I will driving in popo infested areas. Quick screw on, tighten. No tools. He mounted it to beneath the intercooler radiator, using existing tapped holes... then welded a couple pieces, painted it, and voila. Jay rocks.
So that remaining shaft you see, I painted more black so it blends in, but I can also remove it quickly by accessing it through the bottom. For now, I am leaving it on in case I need it... and you can't see the mount in the black recess cavity.
He also put a piece of foam to prevent any touch/scratch on the Xpel'd front bumper (it doesn't even touch, actually).
So anyways... just thought I'd share some updates - been a while - now that Marilyn is active. She does remain under wraps for another week now though, because it JUST snowed yesterday 7". Wonderful. Come on spring....
Last edited by FromZto5; Mar 13, 2017 at 03:39 PM.
Banned
Joined: August 2, 2013
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 254
From: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
Glad it was a simple fix. Coolant anywhere other than radiator is no good. I'm hoping 2 more weeks till mine can come out. We only got 5" today, so it's not completely impossible.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
Which screws? on the license plate holder? Those aren't long at all. Not sure which you are referring to.
Yes, me too! Seeing coolant leak on your garage floor, or any leak for that matter, is not a good feeling.
Yep, it will be 50 degrees by Friday - so hopefully all the white stuff will be gone by then.
Yep, it will be 50 degrees by Friday - so hopefully all the white stuff will be gone by then.
Cobra Member
Joined: August 27, 2007
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 26
From: Southern Al
Which screws? on the license plate holder? Those aren't long at all. Not sure which you are referring to.
Yes, me too! Seeing coolant leak on your garage floor, or any leak for that matter, is not a good feeling.
Yep, it will be 50 degrees by Friday - so hopefully all the white stuff will be gone by then.
Yes, me too! Seeing coolant leak on your garage floor, or any leak for that matter, is not a good feeling.
Yep, it will be 50 degrees by Friday - so hopefully all the white stuff will be gone by then.
Roush Forum Stalker
Joined: March 9, 2013
Posts: 11,140
Likes: 1,749
From: Massachusetts
Thank God that was only a spring clamp.
It's good to have good friends as mechanics. My buddy does all my work for me. He's the only one I trust with my car. Well,....him and his business partner Peter. Both have over 20 years mechanical experience and are ASE certified and have a bunch of certifications and what not. (They left Toyota to open up their own business. Sick of the same old workplace bullsh*t is why I was told. LOL) Peter's wife also works at the shop part time as book keeper/secretary.
It's good to have good friends as mechanics. My buddy does all my work for me. He's the only one I trust with my car. Well,....him and his business partner Peter. Both have over 20 years mechanical experience and are ASE certified and have a bunch of certifications and what not. (They left Toyota to open up their own business. Sick of the same old workplace bullsh*t is why I was told. LOL) Peter's wife also works at the shop part time as book keeper/secretary.
Thread Starter
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
I totally forgot it's purpose until I saw that leak. LOL.One of the private schools here has a MUSTANGS mascot/team name. So, I opted to get that plate for that purpose. And no, I didn't go there at all. I just thought the plate was fitting!
LOL... I see what you did there. I would agree with you if the license plate holder came before the leak
heheThank God that was only a spring clamp.
It's good to have good friends as mechanics. My buddy does all my work for me. He's the only one I trust with my car. Well,....him and his business partner Peter. Both have over 20 years mechanical experience and are ASE certified and have a bunch of certifications and what not. (They left Toyota to open up their own business. Sick of the same old workplace bullsh*t is why I was told. LOL) Peter's wife also works at the shop part time as book keeper/secretary.
It's good to have good friends as mechanics. My buddy does all my work for me. He's the only one I trust with my car. Well,....him and his business partner Peter. Both have over 20 years mechanical experience and are ASE certified and have a bunch of certifications and what not. (They left Toyota to open up their own business. Sick of the same old workplace bullsh*t is why I was told. LOL) Peter's wife also works at the shop part time as book keeper/secretary.
Super Boss Lawman Member
Joined: February 5, 2015
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 1,155
From: Yukon, OK
My friend with a shop is moving to Huntsville, AL next week since his wife found a new job there. However, my wife may also end up with a promotion that has us moving there as well. We should know something in the next few months.