Losing coolant in my 97 Escort!!! plz help!!!

[vector9]

I have been having problem losing coolant in my 2.0 4cyl. SOHC 97 Escort. My coolant system pressure seems fine and so does my oil. But my check coolant light comes on just about 1 or 2 times a week and my overflow resovoir is pretty much empty.....so ill refill it for it to just happen again in a few days. But what i have observed is when it does lose it, it loses it fast. Since this started occuring i try to look at my level before starting my car and then about 20 minutes after turning it off.......every time it seems the levels are consistant......then all the sudden the next trip and it will be gone. I actually lost probably 1.5 quarts on like a 15 minute trip. I keep looking under the car and everywhere for a leak and there is none. Im taking it thursday to see if it has a bad head gasket. There doesnt seem to be any water or steam coming from my tail pipe except condinsation on humid days when it idles.

[amature]

I would look harder for a leak. If you are losing that much fluid and your talepipe isn't smoking and your motor oil isn't creamy then you are likely losing it through a hole in your radiator which could be dripping directly on the ground. You could have a crack in a hose, especially the lower hose. If you are losing that much fluid it can't be burning it up or you would notice it significantly. Have you parked on cement when you let it idle or from returning from a trip. I would be surprised if you weren't losing it through a hole. It also could be evaporating in your catelitic converter if you had a bad head gasket but I would think you would see if come out of your exhaust. Check again before you bring it in. Has it been ocurring over a long period of time or just recently?

[Jet-Lee]

check your radiator drain valve, make sure its closed tight, pressure from the coolant gettin hot could force itself out a loose valve. its on the bottom driverside corner of the radiator.

[4-banger]

i had this same problem about 6 months back, they call it a cold leak, this happens only when your engine and radiator is still cold and coolant pressure hasn't built up yet, if you want to find the leak, start your car in the morning and just leave it idling for 5 minutes, you'll see coolant start to drip down and pool under the radiator.

if you drive the car around the block, the coolant pressure rises and closes the leak, making it really hard to spot and fix.

i fixed it using those radiator leak sealants that you pour into the radiator, you can find it at any auto parts shop or walmart, i had to use 2 though, and it takes a while for the sealant to find its way to the leak... the instructions on it are fairly simple, open the radiator cap, start the car, turn on your AC heater to max, leave the car at high idle for 5 to 10 minuts, you'll notice the coolant level in the radiator drop, pour the liquid or powder sealant into the radiator (it comes in 2 types), top off the coolant and close the radiator cap... i drove my car to work and back (normal routine), the next day i idled the car and notice that the leak was still there, i applied the sealant treatment again... the following day the leak was gone and its been 6 months since.

[Mrgonzo1]

I have a 97 ford escort too with the same problem. I found a leak on the side of the radiator where the long black end caps are crimped to the radiator body. At first it was very difficult to detect, but I eventually found it. What ever you do, DO NOT, use those stop leak products for radiator leaks. Those will clog your radiator and your asking for more problems, believe me I been there done that. Good luck.