Hey, someone please advise me. A couple of months ago, when I would get in the car in the morning, after a little bit of driving(when the car was warming ujp), the temp gauge would go all the way up to lets say 260F and then just drop down to 160F. This would happen very quickly and it would happen only once per every warm up. I thought that it was the temp guage but decided to check the radiator for any coolant loss. I noticed that it was about a gallon low so I added some and bled the system. Everything was good with the warm up for a couple of days but then it happened again. I checked the coolant level and it was low again. I left it alone this time as the car was not everheating. The coolant level will never go down more then that one gallon, and the car will never overheat. (not even in summer traffic). Last year I replaced the heater core because it was leaking and created a bad smell inside the car. This time I never smell anything. I even pressure tested the system didnt see the coolant leaking, nor did the pressure gauge drop. I've been adding cooant periodically to the system to keep the the level up because its fall now and sometimes heat is nice inside the car. I've noticed though that the level is going down ALOT faster now. Where it would take like 1 1/2 weeks for the gallon to go down it takes 3 days. The car is an 88 with 130k on the clock. I'm thinking about head gaskets but again I dont smell anything and I dont see anything. What would you guys say that this could be? Thanks.
Misterious Coolant Loss
- Thread starter BaBiLuTH
- Start date
bdollarbill
Member
- Nov 27, 2005
- 89
- 0
- 6
I had a similar problem on my 85 gt it was leaking from the coolant tubes onto headers not enough to make any smoke but enough to drain down system every few days, fortunately it was just a bad hose in my case, also may want to check the temp sender unit they give oddball readings sometimes when they are going out. I have a infrared temperature gun I use now to double check readings.
Bill
Bill
rd
Founding Member
I have a similar problem with the 79 and 82 every now and then, and have had a bunch of leaks.
Most frequently the heater hoses will leak at the fittings. The return hose to the waterpump connection is hard to see. The screwtype hose clamps in particular will get loose over time.
Check and tighten all of the hose clamps. Run a finger under them when you do, and you will probably find some dampness.
The waterpump can weep, either out of the seal and drip, or anywhere between the pump, it's cover, and, or the timing cover to block joint.
Next is the intake, especially at the rear on the sides.
The head bolts will allow some loss, but it usually is less that what you have.
Last place I can think of is the core plugs on the side of the block.
Most frequently the heater hoses will leak at the fittings. The return hose to the waterpump connection is hard to see. The screwtype hose clamps in particular will get loose over time.
Check and tighten all of the hose clamps. Run a finger under them when you do, and you will probably find some dampness.
The waterpump can weep, either out of the seal and drip, or anywhere between the pump, it's cover, and, or the timing cover to block joint.
Next is the intake, especially at the rear on the sides.
The head bolts will allow some loss, but it usually is less that what you have.
Last place I can think of is the core plugs on the side of the block.
You could always add some dye to the antifreeze, give it a couple days, and then go looking with a blacklight. I suspect headgaskets if your temp spiked that high, because even though it showed low before a sudden spike, it was probably reading air temperature, since the coolant was low. Once the engine heats up, it's probably allowing coolant to seep into the combustion chambers, but when the car is cool, the heads aren't as distorted, so your pressure tests are coming back good. Let the engine come up to operating temperature with the cap off, and see if you have any bubbles in the radiator. That would be a telltale sign of headgaskets.
The temp spike is most likely due to an air pocket locking up the cooling system. Once enough pressure builds (either from heat or higher rpms with the water pump) the air pocket will be purged and all is well.
You probably have a leak at the base of on of the hoses. It will be hard to find because when coolant leaks out it is very hot, and evaporates quickly.
I would think a head gasket would get worse rapidly.
my thoughts.
You probably have a leak at the base of on of the hoses. It will be hard to find because when coolant leaks out it is very hot, and evaporates quickly.
I would think a head gasket would get worse rapidly.
my thoughts.
Definately check your passenger floor and the weep hole in the engine bay(also pass side) The first time my coolent was dissapearing it ended up being my heater core and it was slowly leaking out the weep hole while I was driving it. Most recently when it was dissapearing a hose eventually let go on me(last sunday) and now all I have to do is replace a hose.
Similar threads
