Disclosed herein are methods for detecting a
water leak in a locomotive engine cooling
system comprising numerous components, each being a
potential source of leakage of water. The method typically comprises performing at least one inspection providing an indication of a
water leak from an engine cooling
system of the locomotive. The step of performing at least one inspection may comprise at least one of several steps including performing a
visual inspection to determine if water is leaking from a portion of the cooling
system external to the engine; performing a
visual inspection of exhaust of the engine to detect an indication of
water vapor in the exhaust; performing a
visual inspection to detect an indication of water leaking into an intake air manifold 30 of the engine; performing an engine
oil analysis to detect water in the engine
lubricant; reviewing a fault log history for the locomotive; and checking a level of a cooling system
sight glass. The method allows for the isolation of potential sources of the
water leak from one another so as to prevent false positive leak identification caused by transient
water flow between the potential sources. If an engine cylinder
assembly is a component identified as a
potential source of the water leak during the water pressurization test, the method enables further testing to confirm leakage at such cylinder
assembly, before undertaking the costly and time-consuming process of removing the cylinder
assembly from the engine. Cylinder assemblies can be tested for leaks by performing an
air leak test disclosed herein.