Water and overheating problems...Help

[OKCamaro96]

OK Here goes...I have a 1996 Camaro that started overheating recently, I replaced the thermostat and flushed the radiator and it was fine for a few days. It overheated again and I checked the water, it was low, So i filled it up and looked under the car, sure enough there were a few drips, so I replaced the water pump. This seemed to help for a few days, then it got hot again. I checked the water level, sure enough, water was low, filled it up, checked under the car, no water anywhere. My husband looked at the car, he says the fan is not comming on, so I call AutoZone and they tell me start with the fan motor, so I buy one, my husband goes to put it on and thats not the problem, its the fans fusable link. OK so we fix that, but I keep the fan motor just in case, and its STILL overheating, AND losing water. My husband took the thermostat out because he said that I had vapor locked the moter and no water was getting in there to cool the engine off. Where in the heck could my water be going???? I looked at the moter and noticed that behind and above where we replaced the water pump there is water comming out. When you turn that little brass screw that is SUPPOSED to keep it from vapor locking, water just drips steady out of there. (not the screw hole, but the place above and behind my water pump.) Still, I am losing an awful lot of water and it is not anywhere to be found. I have checked my oil and there is NO water or antifreeze in there at all. Anyone who might have a solution or any idea of what I can do??? This the only car that I have ever owned and I would hate to tear it up.

[z28 boy]

At first i thought maybe there was air in the system but that usually clears out with in the first day. If u say ur SURE there isnt any in ur oil then im stumped aswell. sorry i couldnt help.

[wrightz28]

Keeping it simple, and not trying to offend, it sounds as if both you and your husband have an idea what you're doing, but,

When you refilled the radiator, you ran the motor until thermostat opened and verified this with the top hose being hot (otherwise it may be in backwards), and had the bleeders open? a 50/50
water to coolant is being used? Then after the stat opened, the coolant went down and you topped the rad and over flow?

If it's not externally leaking, and not being burned (internally leaking) then you have no pressure in the system, bad radiator cap (s/b replaced when the stat is done) amd it's boiling off.

[OKCamaro96]

Yes, when we replaced the water pump we used a 50/50 mix coolant and water and bled the water out and filled the overflow. The only place I can see water is the place above the water pump. My husband thought maybe the cap is bad, but to me it seems tight when I put it on. Could it still be letting water out so much and it evaporates before anyone can see it? I am at my wits end and don't know what to do. I can replace the cap easily. Could this be my problem?

[wrightz28]

It's not letting water out, it's not holding the system pressure. When a closed system is pressurized, it's boiling point is rased. This is what allows a motor to safely run at 200+ degrees and require minimal maintanence.

[OKCamaro96]

OK what you are saying makes sense because I see no water. Thank you very much foryour time. I will get the cap and see what happens...wish me luck...

[CamaroRS92]

Are you seeing any steam or excess water droplets coming from the exhaust?
A blown head gasket can sometimes allow small amounts of water to leak internally to the cylinders and out the exhaust with no real obvious trace

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by OKCamaro96

OK what you are saying makes sense because I see no water. Thank you very much foryour time. I will get the cap and see what happens...wish me luck...

And the outcome?