Engine Using Coolant Yet No Smoke, Steam Or Leaks?????

Mr_Q · Jan 18, 2015

I am completely stumped.

I have a new 3-core aluminum radiator. A Flex-a-Lite fan, new performance thermostat housing, new stat, good water pump, all new hoses and my car is using coolant.; a lot.

It's not over heating but it but it obviously gets a lot warmer once the LOW COOLANT light trips. I have to dump a full gallon in the over-flow while it's warm and running while the stat cycles.

I have no smoke, no leaks, no steam from anywhere. I don't get it. I use distilled water with Water Wetter. The coolant seems to perform its vanishing act when the car is running. I also checked the oil when I changed it and it's clean.

Ideas?

mikestang63 · Jan 18, 2015

Rent a coolant pressure test kit and test your cap and system. You have a leak somewhere if you constantly need to keep filling the system.

FoxMustangLvr · Jan 19, 2015

Mr_Q said:
I am completely stumped.

I have a new 3-core aluminum radiator. A Flex-a-Lite fan, new performance thermostat housing, new stat, good water pump, all new hoses and my car is using coolant.; a lot.

It's not over heating but it but it obviously gets a lot warmer once the LOW COOLANT light trips. I have to dump a full gallon in the over-flow while it's warm and running while the stat cycles.

I have no smoke, no leaks, no steam from anywhere. I don't get it. I use distilled water with Water Wetter. The coolant seems to perform its vanishing act when the car is running. I also checked the oil when I changed it and it's clean.

Ideas?

How many times have you had to dump a gallon in it? Sometimes after replacing a WP, t-stat, hoses, radiator, etc you need to burp the system and there can be lots of air in the system. Pull a spark plug if you're really worried, it'd be super clean if you had an issue.

7991LXnSHO · Jan 19, 2015

Next fill up, put the UV dye in the coolant so you can track it. Then do the pressure test.
Someone here blew a head gasket while debating on what to do about disapearing coolant.

As far as running water and water wetter only, antifreeze also has anti corrosion chemicals in it for mixed metal systems like ours and is supposed to help raise the boiling point of the system. Distilled water cuts down on electrolysis, but does not guarantee you are not ruining your radiator or heater core.
Of course at -12 f last week, antifreeze is always required here, and I do not live anywhere near Canada.

2000xp8 · Jan 24, 2015

Sometimes the coolant leaks slow on to something that evaporates it quickly. Likely with little smell or visible signs without coolant. Not a big fan of water wetter to begin with, then couple that with only water and you aren't leaving yourself many ways to find a leak.

Use the dye and or pressure test, then put some antifreeze back in it when you are done.

elarm1 · Jan 24, 2015

Check for a swimming pool in the passenger footwell

7991LXnSHO · Jan 25, 2015

elarm1 said:
Check for a swimming pool in the passenger footwell

That is another reason to run antifreeze. You can smell that type of leak before there is a lake!

Engine Using Coolant Yet No Smoke, Steam Or Leaks?????

Mr_Q

mikestang63

FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

2000xp8

elarm1

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

Similar threads

Engine Using Coolant Yet No Smoke, Steam Or Leaks?????

Mr_Q

mikestang63

FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

2000xp8

elarm1

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency