[Z06] Thirsty Radiator?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
Thirsty Radiator?
My '04 Z sucks down coolant to the tune of just about a half tankful every 5-6k miles or so.
I posted this question awhile back but can't find the thread with potential answers.
Anybody have any ideas? Suggestions appreciated.
I don't drive the car hard, with the exception of a few near full throttle blasts in 1-3rd every now & then when space allows. It's my daily commuter, and I baby the car for the most part. Never been remotely close to a track. No leaks anywhere, no residual crap out of exhaust, never burns oil.... What gives?
Thanks.
I posted this question awhile back but can't find the thread with potential answers.
Anybody have any ideas? Suggestions appreciated.
I don't drive the car hard, with the exception of a few near full throttle blasts in 1-3rd every now & then when space allows. It's my daily commuter, and I baby the car for the most part. Never been remotely close to a track. No leaks anywhere, no residual crap out of exhaust, never burns oil.... What gives?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
How long has it been doing this? It is normal for the level to go down and require several heat cycles before air pockets are removed. This would apply if you had replaced your coolant or had the cooling system serviced. If it has been doing this since new, that is definitely not normal. If the latter, the only thing I can think of (since you say no leaks) is a defective pressure cap on the overflow reservoir. If there were too much pressure, it would vent when the car was running, and you'd never see it.
GL!
GL!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
It's going somewhere... you might possibly be burning some. Do you see any smoke from your exhaust at WOT. It will show up as white smoke... this can be caused by a leaking head gasket...
You can also lose some if you have a leak in the system.
It might only show up when the car is hot and the system is pressurized.
You can also lose some if you have a leak in the system.
It might only show up when the car is hot and the system is pressurized.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
thanks for the responses. there's no evidence of leaks anywhere, not on hood liner or surrounding engine parts (i keep the engine bay very clean). have never seen white smoke at wot either. the car runs insanely well (dyno'd at 365/358), and only has 15k miles on it. it never runs hot. is there a screw or drain plug at the bottom of the radiator that i could check? maybe it's loose?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 6
From: Gulf of Mexico Florida West Coast
Don't like the sound of this, my car is a 1 and a half, maybe I added a cup. Hopefully a minor leak and not being sucked in at a water jacket location. Run car at warmed up idle than rev - outside open air- check exhaust for high vapor or runny deposits. Black snot. Feel the inside of your exhaust tips. Are the like chaulk or slime. The determination is obivious. Good Luck!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
could be the core plugs in the cylinder heads[tech bulletin on this].when they leak you won't know it because the coolant evaporates on to the block.you'll never see a drop hit the ground or see any sign[maybe other than a pinkish tint to the aluminum where the head meets the block].the fix is either the gm sealant pellets[tech bulletin tells the right amount of pellet].if it is real bad,they want you to replace the core plugs
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles, CA.... I know a guy who has a Lambo with Corvette doors
When was the last time you changed your oil? If it's been after you have noticed the problem, the next question is, Did you do it yourself? If yes, Did you notice any chocolate milk look in it, a milky lighter brown color? If yes, to the milky brown color, take it down for some warranty work.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
My car is an '01 and has never used any coolant ever... something is amiss.
I had mine re-ringed in early '04 and the coolant was flushed.
I flushed and changed it last weekend and it was full.
I drive the **** out of my car and run it in HPDE use.
I had mine re-ringed in early '04 and the coolant was flushed.
I flushed and changed it last weekend and it was full.
I drive the **** out of my car and run it in HPDE use.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: malibu ca
Originally Posted by dpd
could be the core plugs in the cylinder heads[tech bulletin on this].when they leak you won't know it because the coolant evaporates on to the block.you'll never see a drop hit the ground or see any sign[maybe other than a pinkish tint to the aluminum where the head meets the block].the fix is either the gm sealant pellets[tech bulletin tells the right amount of pellet].if it is real bad,they want you to replace the core plugs
Start here. If your not seeing any evidence of leakage, this seems like a plausable answer. Hate to say it, but take it to your favorite dealership.