I used to think a hot engine was the best time to check for leaks

For years, I'd run a rig hard, then crawl under it with a flashlight to spot drips. Last month in Phoenix, I was chasing a phantom oil leak on a Duramax and saw the fresh oil just vaporizing on the hot block before it could drip. A veteran tech told me to let it cool overnight and check for crusty residue instead. Now I feel dumb for all the time I wasted. What's your go-to method for finding those sneaky leaks?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicelopez1d ago

Whoa, vaporizing oil? That's wild. I never even thought about that happening. So all that time you're looking for a wet spot, it's just turning into smoke. That explains so many of my own ghost leaks. I'm definitely trying the cool-down crust check next time.

adams.faith1d ago

Funny how we get stuck on one way of doing things. It's like always checking the fridge when you lose your keys because you found them there once. That hot engine trick became your go-to move, even when it stopped working. Makes me wonder what other simple fixes we're overcomplicating because we're used to the old method. What's a habit you had to unlearn?