Coolant loss problem
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Coolant loss problem
Here is the problem, I lose a third my coolant in about 5-6 miles and then will stay that level for ever.
93 w/200k miles, driver side head gasket was replaced when I thought the gasket blew. WP does not leak, radiator is 4 yrs old and I have idled the car for 5-10 minutes and cannot see any leaks, I have put dye in there and nothing. So before I replace my head gasket on the passenger side, thought I would ask if there is anything I am over looking.
Oh yeah, I have replaced intake gaskets twice since then and I have done the TB bypass.
93 w/200k miles, driver side head gasket was replaced when I thought the gasket blew. WP does not leak, radiator is 4 yrs old and I have idled the car for 5-10 minutes and cannot see any leaks, I have put dye in there and nothing. So before I replace my head gasket on the passenger side, thought I would ask if there is anything I am over looking.
Oh yeah, I have replaced intake gaskets twice since then and I have done the TB bypass.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Are you following the LTx air burping procedure? If you have air pockets the coolant level will drop when they are replaced with coolant. It should balance out at some point I would think.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Where is the coolant going? Into the catch tank? I really hat to ask a silly question but have you pressure tested the cooling system and or changed the radiator cap. If it's just using coolant for the first few miles it hasn't even had a chance to fully expand yet. That would mean that it's not building pressure so it shouldn't be in the tank.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Try leaving it alone once it drops to the level you say it stays at forever as long as it is not setting off a low coolant light. Probably just expansion taking place. Wow 200k miles. Have you ever had the engine overhauled or rebiult?
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Oil looks fine and it is not going into the expansion tank, can't remember when I replaced the pressure cap, it was about 2-3 yrs ago.
Also, no white smoke and I cannot leave it low, because the car will overheat in traffic.
PS: I have bypassed heater core and this got me baffled and mad, because I cannot run the a/c.
Also, no white smoke and I cannot leave it low, because the car will overheat in traffic.
PS: I have bypassed heater core and this got me baffled and mad, because I cannot run the a/c.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Geesh, what a stumper. 
You're losing water only for the first 5-10 minutes. Have you pressure tested you cooling system?
You say there's no white smoke, it's not going into the overflow tank, and it's not leaking. If you are not filling it all the way then that could be your problem. Fill it, run it, fill it, run it and make sure to burp. (Drinking a beer quickly helps.) Verify the white smoke test with a pressure test. Any radiator shop and probably Autozone can do it. If you have no problems with the test then one of your above statements is wrong.
If you're losing that much water it is either leaking into the engine (Either oil or cylinders), or it is leaking externally or it's going to the overflow tank or it's not being filled completely. There ain't no more options. Really need to get a pressure test.
Good luck and keep us posted. When you get it fixed, and you will, you're going to come back on here and say "Well, I did the testing and I must have missed it. The water was going_________________! Problems like these are fun for us not doing the work.
You're losing water only for the first 5-10 minutes. Have you pressure tested you cooling system? You say there's no white smoke, it's not going into the overflow tank, and it's not leaking. If you are not filling it all the way then that could be your problem. Fill it, run it, fill it, run it and make sure to burp. (Drinking a beer quickly helps.) Verify the white smoke test with a pressure test. Any radiator shop and probably Autozone can do it. If you have no problems with the test then one of your above statements is wrong.
If you're losing that much water it is either leaking into the engine (Either oil or cylinders), or it is leaking externally or it's going to the overflow tank or it's not being filled completely. There ain't no more options. Really need to get a pressure test.
Good luck and keep us posted. When you get it fixed, and you will, you're going to come back on here and say "Well, I did the testing and I must have missed it. The water was going_________________! Problems like these are fun for us not doing the work.
Last edited by 1963SS; Jul 9, 2011 at 12:22 PM.
Thread Starter
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I have filled it 4 times and it has pressure, I popped the cap and coolant shot out everywhere. It has to be a hose and I am betting on the one that connects to the steam tube, but it is driving me nuts.
I also think it only leaks on hard or moderate acceleration.
I also think it only leaks on hard or moderate acceleration.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
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Did you burp the coolant after changing the headgasket? Sounds like you just need to add coolant and burp the air out of your system. I have someone hold the rpms at 2000 with fill cap off and let it get past the point where the thermostat opens and keep filling till it wont fill no more.
If you are honestly not seeing water in pipes, oil, ground and are not over heating, then you just arent full of water and the car is just putting it into the system once the thermostat burps.
If you are honestly not seeing water in pipes, oil, ground and are not over heating, then you just arent full of water and the car is just putting it into the system once the thermostat burps.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
You mentioned that you let it idle for 5-10 minutes and didn't see any leaks. How about letting it idle until it gets to normal 220 degrees or so and then check for leaks. 5-10 minutes won't be enough for pressure to build.
You also said you think it only does it on hard/moderate acceleration. Why don't you fill it and drive it less spirited and see if it's temperature/pressure related or water flow related.
You also said you think it only does it on hard/moderate acceleration. Why don't you fill it and drive it less spirited and see if it's temperature/pressure related or water flow related.
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I am now sure my car is possessed and what is possessing it, hates me.
Went to check the fluid and it was full, but car is still overheating, which has never done till I had the coolant loss problem.
Front of radiator is clean and it has new coolant and thermostat, so I am down to the WP going out AGAIN or whatever is possessing my car is trying to drive me to the lunny bin.
Went to check the fluid and it was full, but car is still overheating, which has never done till I had the coolant loss problem.
Front of radiator is clean and it has new coolant and thermostat, so I am down to the WP going out AGAIN or whatever is possessing my car is trying to drive me to the lunny bin.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Florida
I am now sure my car is possessed and what is possessing it, hates me.
Went to check the fluid and it was full, but car is still overheating, which has never done till I had the coolant loss problem.
Front of radiator is clean and it has new coolant and thermostat, so I am down to the WP going out AGAIN or whatever is possessing my car is trying to drive me to the lunny bin.
Went to check the fluid and it was full, but car is still overheating, which has never done till I had the coolant loss problem.
Front of radiator is clean and it has new coolant and thermostat, so I am down to the WP going out AGAIN or whatever is possessing my car is trying to drive me to the lunny bin.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Found my mystery coolant loss, the top radiator hose was leaking out the end of the hose and for some reason had not dripped down on the WP. It ran along the bottom side of the hose fell perfectly between the radiator and the bottom cross beam. I must have corrected the problem when I replaced the thermostat.
Found it fixing my oil leak along the china wall, dropped the TB bolt and when I bent over to reach it, I saw the fluid marks on the bottom of the hose.
Tell you what, that leak really had me baffled.
Found it fixing my oil leak along the china wall, dropped the TB bolt and when I bent over to reach it, I saw the fluid marks on the bottom of the hose.
Tell you what, that leak really had me baffled.