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Combustion Chamber . . . Cracked Casting &/or Defective Head Gasket. Easy way to check for this. Search Google for <Exhaust Gas in Coolant Test> there are any number of "kits" for ~$30 that will allow you to identify this. That said, if you can't see or find where it's going elsewhere, this is probably it.
I picked up my 03 C2 in January and have only been able to drive it 3,000 miles. It's a saga to say the least.
70K miles on the chassis
about 70K on a donor engine transplanted in 3K miles ago
I've put more than a gallon of coolant in it
It slowly goes down, but is consistent
No chocolate milk in the motor oil
Had the transmission out for clutch replacement 2K miles ago
Did a thorough inspection of the car front to back with under carriage covers off
My friend who is a mechanic also looked and we can find any sign of coolant leaking
I had the front bumper off and cleaned the radiators. No sign of leaking there.
Any ideas of where the coolant could be going? The only place I can think of is inside the engine.
Thx for any insights you may have!
When the engine was replaced, I assume you flushed and refilled using an airlift system? If not, this may be normal for the car to push the coolant through the system. While it may seem like it's "leaking" out, the water pump is pushing it through the entire length of the car included areas like the heater core. The tank level will go down as air bubbles are released through the pressure valve on the expansion tank. If you're not getting any puddles on the pavement, I wouldn't worry. Just keep the levels normal.
Are you getting a "sweet" smell from the exhaust? If the missing coolant is being burned up in your combustion chambers, you would typically get a "sweet" smell in your exhaust gases, most notably upon shutdown of the engine. If so, that would indicate a cracked head or cylinder, or a faulty head gasket, which are allowing coolant into the combustion chambers. A pressure test of your cooling system, as previously mentioned, should be your next diagnostic step. Best of luck.
When the engine was replaced, I assume you flushed and refilled using an airlift system? If not, this may be normal for the car to push the coolant through the system. While it may seem like it's "leaking" out, the water pump is pushing it through the entire length of the car included areas like the heater core. The tank level will go down as air bubbles are released through the pressure valve on the expansion tank. If you're not getting any puddles on the pavement, I wouldn't worry. Just keep the levels normal.
Good thought as we initially thought the same thing. I've added 7 liters of coolant in 3000 miles. I feel the need to reach out here and figure out what's wrong.
Are you getting a "sweet" smell from the exhaust? If the missing coolant is being burned up in your combustion chambers, you would typically get a "sweet" smell in your exhaust gases, most notably upon shutdown of the engine. If so, that would indicate a cracked head or cylinder, or a faulty head gasket, which are allowing coolant into the combustion chambers. A pressure test of your cooling system, as previously mentioned, should be your next diagnostic step. Best of luck.
The good news is that there is not any white smoke coming out the exhaust and no sweet smell there either. I've been looking for exactly these signs. Thx!
Not sure if mentioned above. Lay on your back and look up the left wheel well for any chaulky white residue. If so, leak. Could be tank, could be hoses or more likely a connector. I would pull the air box and look under the coolant tank too.
Hopefully just air pushing through the systems which would reduce the level. I replaced my coolant tank over the winter. With that said, if I can do it, anyone can.
Good thought as we initially thought the same thing. I've added 7 liters of coolant in 3000 miles. I feel the need to reach out here and figure out what's wrong.
Hate to say this but 7 liters in 3k miles is not a small leak, its a problem. Im laying odds it has a cracked head and i would tell that shop to come pick it up with a tow truck.
Hate to say this but 7 liters in 3k miles is not a small leak, its a problem. Im laying odds it has a cracked head and i would tell that shop to come pick it up with a tow truck.
What we know is he's not getting intermix in the coolant nor the engine oil. No smoke. He's confirmed there are no coolant puddles or obvious leaks around the car when sitting. My bet is the shop didn't flush and refill properly. Remember, these cars hold 22 liters of coolant. Personally, I don't think his situation is absurd considering the circumstances. But we'll see.
Last edited by ZuffenZeus; Aug 31, 2020 at 02:19 PM.
What we know is he's not getting intermix in the coolant nor the engine oil. No smoke. He's confirmed there are no coolant puddles or obvious leaks around the car when sitting. My bet is the shop didn't flush and refill properly. Remember, these cars hold 22 liters of coolant. Personally, I don't think his situation is absurd considering the circumstances. But we'll see.
Well we really dont know much except fot a visual observation. My point is that for what one of these engines cost i would not be driving the car. Either do a proper flush and monitor or do some proper diagnostics to confirm there is no issue internally. Either way im sure a pretty penny was spent in the motor swap and i would send it back to verify the motor they put in is in good shape.
If the shop didnt drive the car enough to notice it was missing 1/3 of its coolant.... what else was missed?
I borrowed this tool from NAPA today. Drove the car there and then it sat all day. When I pulled the cap off it still had a good bit of pressure that needed to be released. I would have preferred no pressure as it would point towards a leak.
I didn't attach the tool tight enough the first time & it popped off spraying coolant everywhere
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Slow Coolant Leak
