coolant vs. water

All i want to know is if its alright if i just put straight water in the radiator. i keep losing coolant but dont have the funds to get that fixed, nor to keep throwing money away on jugs of coolant that are just going to end up leaking out somewhere anyway. my ripoff mechanic replaced the radiator thinking that was the problem, but no, it wasnt, still loosing coolant just as fast. the old radiator was probably good still... :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

If there's no danger of freezing temps, you can use water, you obviously don't want it to freeze in your engine block. Antifreeze mixed with water will lower the freezing point as well as raise the boiling point of the water.

Do you know where the coolant is going? Are you aware of the intake manifold gasket problems on these cars? If coolant is leaking internally and ending up in your oil...you won't have to worry about it too long, because your engine will eventually fail.

Check your oil filler cap - any slimey gunk on there? Also check your coolant recovery tank - any slimey, dark oil residue in there? If so, you might want to do some research in this forum on intake manifold gasket.

BTW - I have a red '98 just like yours. Mine has 218,000.

I thought I'd throw some ideas out at you.
Know some one with a radiator pressure tester? If your losing coolant that fast and I am assuming your car is running fine (you did not mention you had a loss of power/rough idle issue and no milk in the crankcase), then you just might have an external leak. One piece of information missing from you is, how does the car look underneath? Drips? Have you check all the hoses at each of their ends to see if one 'em soft/squishy? Checked for water/coolant residue underneath the water pump - crankshaft pulley area? Firewall side of the engine?

mark

black 2dr '98 GTP project
Red 2dr '99 GP GT
White 4 dr '04 GP GT1

Mikes car is a GTP, so the UIM issues don't apply to his car. The first things I would check is the plastic coolant elbows that go from the LIM to the main belt tensioner and the water pump. These are a very common coolant leak points in all 3800's. Many times they only leak while under pressure, and won't leak in the driveway/shop. A coolant pressure tester as Eipper suggested would pinpoint the leak. Any coolant puddles under the passenger side of the car Mike?

Also, running straight water is a bad idea. Coolant transfers heat better, has corrosion inhibitors, and helps lubricate the water pump in addition to having a higher boiling point. Just remember, don't run straight coolant either, the maximum acceptable mix is 70/30 .

If it is not an external coolant leak I would not rule out the lower intake manifold or head gaskets on a L67 engine.

yeah sorry forgot to mention, the car does seem to run fine, starts right up, the thermostat needle always stays below 210, and it idles fine too. im sure it is an internal leak though, since i never see any puddles under the car after i fill the radiator. im sure it leaks after the fluids start flowing through everything when the engine is on.

I have an 02' GP 3.1 and just a few months ago i had to replace the (lower) intake manifold gaskets. I posted the info on the forum and here is the link to it, hope it helps.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=660028

I am having the same problem I think. The coolant is always a little bit low but I cant see were it comes from.:screwy:

I guess I have to keep putting coolant in. I think its a small price to pay to make sure it keeps running good.

How much do you think it would cost for a shop to do something like the lower intake gasket???

I had both valve cover gaskets replaced and the lower intake gasket replaced, a coolant flush, a trans fluid exchange, and an oil change.

Damage $800. Had no choice, had to be done that day.:frown:

Labor was around $550.

This was on my 2000 GP SE.

so the labor is whats most and i can see why too.

Labor is the brunt of the cost but don't forget you will need new supercharger gaskets and o-rings and throttle body. Also, when a LIM job is done there may be other items such as fuel rail and fuel injector o-rings, etc.

I recommend using the new aluminum framed LIM gaskets that are out now.