Where's my coolant going?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas (Go Cowboys!!!) :) Tx
Where's my coolant going?
I've noticed that lately I've been having to refill my coolant about once every 2 months. I'm not sure, but I don't think that's suppose to be happening. So give it to me guys, what do you all think it is? It seems like there a leak, but what should I look for and what do those things indicate? Last time I checked there was no bubbling (2 months ago), but yesterday it did seem like it was shaking around after an hr drive. Not sure if it makes a difference, but it hadn't been driven in about a month so I had to charge it up prior.
Race Director
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
No puddles under the car?
If not, then it might be pssing through the heads. Do you notice any white smoke coming out of the exhaust?
If not, then it might be pssing through the heads. Do you notice any white smoke coming out of the exhaust?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas (Go Cowboys!!!) :) Tx
Originally Posted by screw991le
No puddles under the car?
If not, then it might be pssing through the heads. Do you notice any white smoke coming out of the exhaust?
If not, then it might be pssing through the heads. Do you notice any white smoke coming out of the exhaust?
Yeah white smoke, but then again it's cold in the northwest.
Tech Contributor
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If your burning enough antifreeze through the compustion chamber, sometimes you can smell it through the exhaust. If you pull the plugs, for the most part, you can see the difference between the condition of the plugs. The plugs and insulators on the cylinders burning antifreeze will have been steamed cleaned!
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From: Arlington Texas
How old and how many miles on your car? Of all the common problems with these cars, I don't think burning coolant in the combustion chambers is one of them. It certainly could be something like a head gasket, but I would start by driving the car until it's hot and the thermostat has opened up. I'd then look for pinhole leaks in the radiator and heater hoses
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas (Go Cowboys!!!) :) Tx
Originally Posted by Jim Taylor
How old and how many miles on your car? Of all the common problems with these cars, I don't think burning coolant in the combustion chambers is one of them. It certainly could be something like a head gasket, but I would start by driving the car until it's hot and the thermostat has opened up. I'd then look for pinhole leaks in the radiator and heater hoses
Last edited by Tru_Ice; Jan 23, 2006 at 02:55 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
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From: Richmond Ca
Originally Posted by Tru_Ice
Only 36000 miles, and had MTI heads put on about 6000 miles ago.
If the problem started after the new heads, I'd suspect the gaskets.
Do the bolts need re-torqued?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Richmond Ca
Originally Posted by WKMCD
Did they use Cometic gaskets. I had some bad luck with them on my car. People either love them or hate them.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Dallas (Go Cowboys!!!) :) Tx
Originally Posted by wwashing
If the problem started after the new heads, I'd suspect the gaskets.
Do the bolts need re-torqued?
Do the bolts need re-torqued?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Longview Texas
Water pump leaks can also be intermittent.
Check the weep hole in the water pump for signs of coolant deposits.
I have had pump leaks that were enough to lower the coolant level over time, but not enough to see a drip or puddle.
Check the weep hole in the water pump for signs of coolant deposits.
I have had pump leaks that were enough to lower the coolant level over time, but not enough to see a drip or puddle.