Coolant loss
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, Ca
Coolant loss
I've been noticing for a couple of months that I have a slight coolant loss but since most of my trips are 50 miles or less it didn't seem too bad. Yesterday I did a 200 mile day and ended up adding coolant twice for a total of about 1/2 gallon. There are no signs of leaks anywhere. Over the last year I have replaced all hoses. I even replaced the water pump when I changed my opti. Last month I replaced the surge tank when I noticed a slight drip near the radiator cap. I realize it is possible I have a head gasket leak but I see no signs of steam coming out the tailpipe.
Any ideas or suggestions? TIA
Any ideas or suggestions? TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
Not quite sure on the LT1s, but by L98 had a small leak that would burn off before it actually dripped anywhere. it was slow enough that on a hot engine (pressured radiator) the engine block would evaporate the leak before it hit the ground. Do you smell coolant? What does your motor oil look like? Does it look somewhat like caramel? If it does, then it is getting into the block. Good luck.
BTW, Hayward, nice place. Ive got family in Castro Valley.
BTW, Hayward, nice place. Ive got family in Castro Valley.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, Ca
Re: Coolant loss (VetteNoob)
There is no coolant smell and the oil looks clean and clear.
BTW- Castro Valley is much nicer than Hayward. IMHO
[Modified by Breezy, 12:13 PM 6/30/2002]
BTW- Castro Valley is much nicer than Hayward. IMHO
[Modified by Breezy, 12:13 PM 6/30/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Garland TX
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
Hey when you find out please let me us now what it is ! I've got a '93 with the same problems ,after changing everything as you(not head gaskets yet ) I was told here that mine might be the connecter tube in the back of the heads(four rubber washers)and this was confirmed when talking to our friend jeff k @ Chevy;buuuut yours has no visible dripping?? well mine too so if you've figured it out ,let me know where to begin.
Thanx,
Black 'm6 '93
Thanx,
Black 'm6 '93
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
ok pressure test your cooling system when the engine is dead cold. run the tester up to 18-20 psi. With a cold engine everything is contracted and hard to find leaks will show up. If the pressure is dropping and you see no leaks --take a close look at the heater core (you will smell coolant with the heater on ) Also, while it doesn't sound like you have a head gasket prob --if the pressure is dropping and you can't find your leak anywhere it may be going into the cyl. Very dangerous situation then. If there is more than a little bit of coolant in the cyl it will hydrolock and either bend or spit a rod. S0, if you have a def leak and you cant find it by looking thoroughly --pull the spark plugs before you crank it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
xvzs
I agree wi xvzs. How many miles are on the car. Pressure test the system with the engine cold. Check: the inside passenger side of the car, the engine, the radiator area, underneath the engine, and around the water pump. If you don't see it immediately, put the car in a cool shaded place, pressurize the system and come back an hour or so later. The leak should be evident. If there is not visible leak. pull the plugs, you may notice a slight discoloration of one of the plugs, an indication of a bad head gasket. Le me know how you made out.
I agree wi xvzs. How many miles are on the car. Pressure test the system with the engine cold. Check: the inside passenger side of the car, the engine, the radiator area, underneath the engine, and around the water pump. If you don't see it immediately, put the car in a cool shaded place, pressurize the system and come back an hour or so later. The leak should be evident. If there is not visible leak. pull the plugs, you may notice a slight discoloration of one of the plugs, an indication of a bad head gasket. Le me know how you made out.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, Ca
Re: Coolant loss (89 Bob L)
Thanks guys. Looks like my next step will be a pressure check.
I'll keep you posted via this thread. (82K miles)
:chevy
[Modified by Breezy, 12:12 PM 6/30/2002]
[Modified by Breezy, 12:14 PM 6/30/2002]
I'll keep you posted via this thread. (82K miles)
:chevy
[Modified by Breezy, 12:12 PM 6/30/2002]
[Modified by Breezy, 12:14 PM 6/30/2002]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, Ca
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
Just wanted to update you guys since you took the time to respond to my problem.
I went to a mechanic I trust yesterday and we did the pressure test.
It held pressure very well indicating no leaks.
He seemed quite sure that I don't have a head gasket leak and suggested that I pull the radiator and have it boiled out.
I didn't pull the plugs to check them yet but I will do that first.
Thanks for the advice.
Mike
I went to a mechanic I trust yesterday and we did the pressure test.
It held pressure very well indicating no leaks.
He seemed quite sure that I don't have a head gasket leak and suggested that I pull the radiator and have it boiled out.
I didn't pull the plugs to check them yet but I will do that first.
Thanks for the advice.
Mike
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: benicia ca
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
thers just no way that you can loose 1/2 gallons and not have a leak problem . i believe it's in the head gasket onto the exhaust side, thats would make the coolant vaporise and show no leaks, can you smell coolant out the tail pipe, did you leave the pressure test for a long time, ? the 1/2 gallon sure went somewhere , , i truly wouln't think a clogged radiator would do it, that would make the engine temps run high, do you have that ?? :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
My upper radiator hose was dripping at the radiator when things got heated up. I guess the hose was expanding. I had to tighten the clamp down on it. I never knew it until I had the hood open one day after I got home from work (50 mile drive) preparing to do some work on the car. Just happened to notice it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, Ca
Re: Coolant loss (guywade)
guywade- I agree with you. That 1/2 gal had to go somewhere. I really don't think I have a leak that is burning off like that. I'm sure that with all the time I've spent with my head under the hood that I would smell it and as per my earlier post, I don't smell any coming out the exhaust either. I don't mean to say that it can't be happening but .....???
As far as overheating goes, not at all. On the 200 mile trip where I lost the 1/2 I reached as high as 230 in some backed up traffic but that is normal for my car and the aux. fan kicks in around there and brings it back down real fast. I didn't pull the plugs yet but they only have about 1k miles on them and might not tell me anything.
Anyway thanks for all the thoughts.
Mike
:cheers:
As far as overheating goes, not at all. On the 200 mile trip where I lost the 1/2 I reached as high as 230 in some backed up traffic but that is normal for my car and the aux. fan kicks in around there and brings it back down real fast. I didn't pull the plugs yet but they only have about 1k miles on them and might not tell me anything.
Anyway thanks for all the thoughts.
Mike
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: Coolant loss (Breezy)
If all else fails, you can put a dye into the coolant and that will point the way if the leak is external. You can get it from Cromwell tools if your parts house doesn't have it.