Missing Coolant

[Davescort97]

My 97 SPI is a good car and it has never been overheated. I am losing about 12 ounces of coolant every 6 months. I am wondering where did it go? Just does it in the summer, not in the winter. Az, what do you think about this?

[llerrad]

Hot weather, some fluid will evaporate in the surge tank to some degree if that's all your missing in that lenght of time would not worry over it. If you were dripping you would smell the coolant when you shut down you engine when hot or there would be crusting around hoses when there is a small leak.

[Davescort97]

Thanks. I'll not worry about it. I thought there was a small leak in the headgasket. Not worth pulling it at this stage of time. Will wait until it blows steam out of the tailpipe, THEN, I'll worry about it.

[AzTumbleweed]

This may sound odd but here's how I check for leaks. Disconnect the cooling fan and just let it sit and idle. Don't let it get all the way in the red zone but let her get real hot. If you have a leak then it should show up then because of the pressure. Could be a hose, water pump, thermostat housing, radiator, etc. If you let 'er get real hot it should show op though. If it's cold out then you can cover the radiator with cardboard. I've had cracked coolant reservoirs too.

[Davescort97]

Real good idea. I'll try it and let you know.