Losing coolant. Afraid
04-15-2016, 07:36 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Losing coolant. Afraid
I'm looking for answer, but afraid it's not going to be the one I want.
My low coolant light has just started coming on and going off. I found the radiator low, and the reservoir is totally full. I emptied out reserve tank to proper level and filled radiator. Drove it again, same problem. Replaced cap, no help. No white smoke, doesn't use any oil, oil not milky. Car does not over heat. If I take cap off and close throttle, coolant comes gushing out of radiator no visible leak. OK, let me have it, I can take it
My low coolant light has just started coming on and going off. I found the radiator low, and the reservoir is totally full. I emptied out reserve tank to proper level and filled radiator. Drove it again, same problem. Replaced cap, no help. No white smoke, doesn't use any oil, oil not milky. Car does not over heat. If I take cap off and close throttle, coolant comes gushing out of radiator no visible leak. OK, let me have it, I can take it
Last edited by mlm0; 05-06-2016 at 02:14 PM.
04-15-2016, 07:42 PM
#2
Did you get all the air out? I jack mine up and let it out instead of using the bleeders. Get the right cap not some generic cap. Make sure it does not have any crap in the way.
04-15-2016, 07:45 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
I think that first off I would get a pressure pump that fits in place of the reserve tank. There is a small hand pump on it. Pump it up and pressurize the system looking for any leaks. You can probably "borrow" one from one of the auto parts stores near you.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ator+test+tool
If you find none then I would next test the coolant for exhaust gasses. There is a kit that is sold that allows you to test the coolant. If this test comes up positive, you have a blown head gasket....sounds like the very early stage where your losing small amounts. Block tester....
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...?checkfit=true
I know you don't want the last answer....much easier to replace a hose or two.
Good luck.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ator+test+tool
If you find none then I would next test the coolant for exhaust gasses. There is a kit that is sold that allows you to test the coolant. If this test comes up positive, you have a blown head gasket....sounds like the very early stage where your losing small amounts. Block tester....
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...?checkfit=true
I know you don't want the last answer....much easier to replace a hose or two.
Good luck.
Last edited by John A. Marker; 04-15-2016 at 07:59 PM.
04-15-2016, 07:47 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks for reply
Mike
04-15-2016, 08:02 PM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
I think that first off I would get a pressure pump that fits in place of the reserve tank. There is a small hand pump on it. Pump it up and pressurize the system looking for any leaks.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ator+test+tool
If you find none then I would next test the coolant for exhaust gasses. There is a kit that is sold that allows you to test the coolant. If this test comes up positive, you have a blown head gasket....sounds like the very early stage where your losing small amounts. Block tester....
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...?checkfit=true
I know you don't want the last answer....much easier to replace a hose or two.
Good luck.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ator+test+tool
If you find none then I would next test the coolant for exhaust gasses. There is a kit that is sold that allows you to test the coolant. If this test comes up positive, you have a blown head gasket....sounds like the very early stage where your losing small amounts. Block tester....
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...?checkfit=true
I know you don't want the last answer....much easier to replace a hose or two.
Good luck.
If if is blown gasket, will that show up in pressure test by losing pressure, or is that only to find leaks in coolant system?
Thanks so much for taking time to reply
Mike
04-15-2016, 08:13 PM
#7
Pressure testing is a good first step plus it is free.
04-15-2016, 08:18 PM
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
04-15-2016, 08:20 PM
#10
04-15-2016, 08:31 PM
#11
The cooling system pressure test will tell you if you have the dreaded head gasket failure. Pressurize the cooling system to 15 psi, and see if it holds pressure ... Note - your cooling system need to be full or very near for the test to work decently - if you have air trapped in the cooling system - it compresses when you test - and it will take a long long time for any leak to be apparent - so make sure to fill the cooling system as fully as possible before doing the leak test.
When you change the rad cap like you said you would - spend a minute looking at the surface that the inner "button" of the cap seals against - make sure that surface is smooth - and not "buggered up" in any way - if that inner rubber seal isn't making good contact - the cap is unable to do it's job properly.
When you change the rad cap like you said you would - spend a minute looking at the surface that the inner "button" of the cap seals against - make sure that surface is smooth - and not "buggered up" in any way - if that inner rubber seal isn't making good contact - the cap is unable to do it's job properly.
04-15-2016, 08:35 PM
#12
Safety Car
1. Pressure test system, as advised.
2. No need to buy another cap. Most pressure caps are made by Stant, and sold/boxed under many brand names.
3. Losing coolant, and not over-heating, does not make sense.
4. It is possible that the head gasket has ruptured allowing exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
If so, no oil contamination, no coolant out exhaust pipe. Coolant would be forced out of system to the ground, but you should see a rapid climb in temp as the system loses coolant.
2. No need to buy another cap. Most pressure caps are made by Stant, and sold/boxed under many brand names.
3. Losing coolant, and not over-heating, does not make sense.
4. It is possible that the head gasket has ruptured allowing exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
If so, no oil contamination, no coolant out exhaust pipe. Coolant would be forced out of system to the ground, but you should see a rapid climb in temp as the system loses coolant.
04-15-2016, 08:56 PM
#13
Safety Car
Just went through this recently. Check the hose between the throttle body and the block behind the waterpump. Mine cracked and that's where it was leaking.
On a side note, don't know if all brands of antifreeze do this but is you use Prestone, it floresences under a black light. Makes external leaks stand out.
Pressurizing the cooling system is a good start in tracking the leak down.
On a side note, don't know if all brands of antifreeze do this but is you use Prestone, it floresences under a black light. Makes external leaks stand out.
Pressurizing the cooling system is a good start in tracking the leak down.
04-15-2016, 09:10 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
So a symptom of this is that the reservoir fills up completely? Did I get that right? Did it fill up again after you emptied it?
04-15-2016, 09:18 PM
#15
Drifting
Thread Starter
Yes it filled up again. Coolant is forced out of radiator, but it doesn't draw it back in when it cools down. I keep thinking I am not understanding what the symptoms are, because it does not over heat. I did notice that I can make the coolant light go out for at least a little by accelerating. It's as though the level is just below sensor level
04-15-2016, 09:22 PM
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
1. Pressure test system, as advised.
2. No need to buy another cap. Most pressure caps are made by Stant, and sold/boxed under many brand names.
3. Losing coolant, and not over-heating, does not make sense.
4. It is possible that the head gasket has ruptured allowing exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
If so, no oil contamination, no coolant out exhaust pipe. Coolant would be forced out of system to the ground, but you should see a rapid climb in temp as the system loses coolant.
2. No need to buy another cap. Most pressure caps are made by Stant, and sold/boxed under many brand names.
3. Losing coolant, and not over-heating, does not make sense.
4. It is possible that the head gasket has ruptured allowing exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
If so, no oil contamination, no coolant out exhaust pipe. Coolant would be forced out of system to the ground, but you should see a rapid climb in temp as the system loses coolant.