Mystery disappearing coolant!
09-21-2002, 08:01 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Mystery disappearing coolant!
Coolant will be at 'maximum' one day, and a few days later approaching the 'minimum' level, requiring me to re-fill it.
I replaced all the related hoses, had a mangled plug in the radiator fixed, and also bled/refilled it multiple times.
There is NO fluid under the car/on other components. There is no smoke while driving. There is no 'creme' under the oil cap, nor is there any frothy oil.
Waterpump is good apparently. My mechanic did the belts a month or so ago and did not replace it.
Any ideas ??
I replaced all the related hoses, had a mangled plug in the radiator fixed, and also bled/refilled it multiple times.
There is NO fluid under the car/on other components. There is no smoke while driving. There is no 'creme' under the oil cap, nor is there any frothy oil.
Waterpump is good apparently. My mechanic did the belts a month or so ago and did not replace it.
Any ideas ??
09-21-2002, 08:38 PM
#2
Nordschleife Master
Maybe hose clamp leak? If you replaced with the standard "Zebra" type clamp that has a slot punched all the way through the band, hose rubber extrudes into the slots, band grabs that and tightens unevenly. Giving a nice little opening for fluid to leak out of.
You want a band that is more or less smooth where it contacts the rubber. One of the best types has the band engagement with the worm gear threads pressed in, not cut through, and with curved edges on the band so as to not cut the rubber in all stainless. Including the screw.
Good luck find them in small quantities but McMaster Carr has them in boxes of 10, usually.
You want a band that is more or less smooth where it contacts the rubber. One of the best types has the band engagement with the worm gear threads pressed in, not cut through, and with curved edges on the band so as to not cut the rubber in all stainless. Including the screw.
Good luck find them in small quantities but McMaster Carr has them in boxes of 10, usually.
09-21-2002, 09:19 PM
#4
Racer
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Ok I had the same problem and it took a few days for me to see coolant, hope that not your problem I had no oil in coolant but coolant in oil. My oil seals were at fault. Hope that is not your case
09-21-2002, 09:47 PM
#6
Drifting
I had a similar situation with my NA - It was the headgasket. Acted exactly like yours for a few weeks, then it went completely - billowing smoke, no power, etc., in an instant, while driving...
Going to have it looked at ASAP.
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09-21-2002, 10:59 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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One more question .. in perusing some previous threads regarding head gasket replacement, someone mentioned that part of this procedure involves removing the timing belt, is this true??
09-22-2002, 12:04 AM
#9
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You may want do a leakdown...if there is a problem with leakage across the head gasket the oressure should push coolant back thru the overflow...and yes replacing the head gasket requires removing the belt, at least at the cam pulley.Ed
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09-24-2002, 12:05 PM
#11
AutoX
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Had the same problem. But it was more obvious. After starting the motor a huge pressure build up
in the water hoses and When removing the filling cap of the water reservoir a constant bubbles were coming out.
Car was still drivable and I did not notice much loss of power. After a bill of $3200 the problem was solved and have driven 130mph without any problems. Managed an average of 85 mph in a 4 hour door to door trip.
Man those german highways without speed limit are cool
<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />
in the water hoses and When removing the filling cap of the water reservoir a constant bubbles were coming out.
Car was still drivable and I did not notice much loss of power. After a bill of $3200 the problem was solved and have driven 130mph without any problems. Managed an average of 85 mph in a 4 hour door to door trip.
Man those german highways without speed limit are cool
<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />
09-24-2002, 01:37 PM
#12
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Check for white deposits ontop of your exhaust pipes, I had disappearing coolant be burned off on the pipes. ie. No drips on the floor. Only leaked during driving.
-R.B.
-R.B.
