I've got a small weep leak at the number 1 cylinder on the driver side water jacket on the engine I replaced in my 25 Touring. I am exploring my options. It hasn't been there long.
I've determined it's a really tiny hole on the bottom of the water jacket.
I've emptied the system, and every time I touch it, it cries.
Like I said, it has not been there long
Sound like a freeze crack, pretty common, there is a posting recently on various types of repairs, ranging from JB Weld to Soldering.
Hope this helps
David.
How long can it be driven with a tiny weep like that?
Forever if you seal it with some JB weld or just keep water in it.
I have done engines and have them in the run in stand and have a slight leak. I just clean it off with lacquer thinner and use JB weld to seal it and repaint it after I pressure check it. If it will hold at 20# after it dries, it will last as long as any other part.
If you use plain water with no anti freeze it will ruin any block, and of course the radiator. The whole water jacket will rust out from the inside out. I just repaired a 1910 open valve block that this had happened to. Be sure, what ever you do, be smart enough to use at least 50/50 anti freeze and water so it doesn't happen again.
Royce, you don't have to use antifreeze if you just add some water pump lube. The lube is actually water soluble oil like used in lathes and mills to lubricate while being machined and to resist rust afterwards.
Will...
Post a pic...it might help in informing you the best way to salvage what you have, even in the car.
Sometimes these things are evidence of a hard life and 'swiss cheese', other times just an isolated crack due to a core shift thin wall and the fact the iron wasn't 'aged' before use.
I'd first try a simple fix in the car....nothing to lose and the fix just may be OK. If it were me, I'd drill out the ends of the crack as it will stop the crack from 'growing' if it isn't 'swiss cheese' and from there a number of things could be tried for the crack itself...from JB Weld, to 'plugging' with threaded copper rod, to even what is called a 'rust seal' (which most don't care to use but I have had great success with on heads that develop backbone splits).
Post a pic...might allow insight into the easiest fix to keep you going.....If it is 'just a tiny hole' then it just may need a 'tiny fix'
Actually water pump lube won't prevent rust. It is is of no use for that purpose. Don't fool yourself. Also, William lives in New Jersey where it can freeze during about half the year.
There is no reason not to use anti freeze. There many good reasons not to use straight water.