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coolant loss. what to check before thinking "catastrophic" failure
I have a (new to me) 2001. Coolant lines have never been pinned/welded. The PPI noticed that it was low on coolant and refilled/pressure checked the system. They did not find any leaks. Now after a month of driving, I noticed that the coolant level was a liter+ low.
Other than the engine pressed/glued manifolds, is there any other "common" leak areas to inspect?
What color is your expansion tank if it's yellowing its getting brittle could have a crack and also try to inspect all the coolant hoses I believe there's eight fittings.
Thanks; the coolant tank looks pretty sketchy... I did need to pull the front bumper cover to clean the radiators anyway. It's hard for me to visualize all of the water lines without a lift. I'll inspect a few of the easy things; perhaps replace the water tank also. I made sure that the tail of the car was up when I filled it... maybe the prior shop didn't burp it correctly?
If low again, then I'll get it back to the repair shop.
research the 8 fittings and their location. by lowering the motor down on the mounts you can shine a light in the engine bay and see most of them. if theres signs of leakage you have your answer. coolant laying in the top the motor in the crevaces is a sign of a failed fitting
So far, no outright smell of coolant smell or note of leakage. Additionally, the car runs great! I will confess that I live at my vineyard site in rural Oregon. It's been wet and muddy this month. Getting home in the winter months is sometimes a bit of a "rally"... so I probably wouldn't have noticed any coolant drips along with the car shedding it's winter grime.
So far, no outright smell of coolant smell or note of leakage.
there is no definitive method for determining coolant levels beyond the "low/hi" levels indented markers in the expansion tank. add some g13 coolant @ 50/50 mix with distilled, or just distilled, and check your levels again, after a good long hard run. coolant WILL outflow out the top of the exp tank to equalize, if the system is slightly overfilled. you should then see "whitish" fluid as residue at the tank, and motor mounts area.
there's LOTS of fluid in the system, so if you dont have a "noticeable" and visible leak from the exp tank or a rad? just properly top of the car. gl.
Make sure that your blue cap is the latest edition part number ending in 004? If not buy a new one. ~$20.
Also be sure to check the level when cold and hot. Cold should be at or near MIN and hot should be at or near MAX.
I had coolant level going slowly down for more than a year until I decided to investigate properly. I never saw any liquid on the ground or had any coolant smell but something was wrong....Took off the air box and saw cooked coolant! Took off the alternator and found one of the tube leaking and it did not pop out because it is located in a tight spot! When I was able to reach the tube I was able to take it off by hand. No more epoxy holding it!!! The epoxy was like powder??? Finally only three tubes were easy to remove. The ones on the oil cooler were really glued properly....
After driving use your nose, open the engine compartment sniff around, if nothing go to the front of the car and smell around all three grill areas.
i just replaced my coolant tank, after a run I would get a slight smell, finally started to get coolant dropping behind the rear drivers side whee!. Replaced the tank, no more loss or small.
02-19-2018, 02:19 PM
coolant loss. what to check before thinking "catastrophic" failure
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