Losing coolant?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: springfield MO
Losing coolant?
About every 300-400 miles I seem to be losing about a 1/4 gallon but its no where on the ground and the exhaust doesn't smell like coolant.
Should I check plugs and see if they are wet?
I did have the heads changed a few months ago, but a very reputable shop did it and I'm pretty sure this isn't the issue.
Any ideas? Could it be possible theres such a small leak that it never hits the ground?
Should I check plugs and see if they are wet?
I did have the heads changed a few months ago, but a very reputable shop did it and I'm pretty sure this isn't the issue.
Any ideas? Could it be possible theres such a small leak that it never hits the ground?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 245
Likes: 3
Sounds like my car its insane.... Soon as bottle is low the car overheats. not empty just low sorta worried about taken car on long trips. I get more then 400 miles but seems like im topping it off once a month or so.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: springfield MO
I dunno maybe some of the water evaporates from the heat?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Check your dipstick.. Does the oil look frothy or milky? Smell like coolant?? If not your head gasket/head is fine.. There is a good chance you are loosing coolant through the water pump or some other hose connection... The leaks can be inconsistant and hard to see or find.. There is a harmless ultraviolet dye you can buy at any automotive store.. Add this to the radiator.. Wait a few days and check underneath the cars water pump, steering rack, etc,, with an ultraviolet light or even without one. A flashlight will even work in a dark garage.. The dye will dry and leave a trail whereever it has leaked.. I went through this with my 2002.. It was the water pump.. It had a inconsistant leak and drove me nuts until I put the dye in..
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 8
From: flat out like a lizzard drinking Wisconsin
the water pump has a cover on the back that can be replaced also there is steam lines or block off caps at the corners where the cylinder heads meet the block and these can leak. the cover on the back of the wp uses a oring that you can get at napa but if you can swing it i would replace the pump if you have it off as i replaced just this oring a few months back and now i am seeing some leeking at the weep hole on the pump. if you have a small inspection mirror you can get a good look at the pump. also i have had to leave a pressure tester on for a few hours before a leak would show it self just check it every so often and keep pressure up
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 1
From: delware county pa
i have found some ls motor heads to crack and when the motor gets hot the crack opens up and burns coolant.if your heads have a battery looking symbols there is a tbs from gm about this issue. hope this hopes best of luck my friend
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
Also, coolant doesn't evaporate. Ever spill some on the garage floor? It will sit there for weeks. If it isn't leaking, it is burning it. If it is leaking somewhere, you will smell it.
Check the plugs.
Ron
Check the plugs.
Ron
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
One will look different from the others. Coolant leaves deposits. Or erodes the electrodes. Or makes the plug look really clean. Just look for something unusual from the others.
OP could also do a pressure test on the cooling system.
OP could also do a pressure test on the cooling system.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 398
Likes: 6
From: woodstock ga
i just went through the same type of problem with my friends monte. took me weeks to figure out. look at the following post
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...erheating.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...erheating.html
