coolant problems

[sternaja]

I have a 94 Grand Am, Quad 4 SE (130,000 miles). My coolant in the resivor tank keeps emptying. I refill it but keeps emptying. I replaced all the hoses that I could see connected and replaced the cap.

Please help!!

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

Check the area around the back of the engine. The thermostat housing and water pump are there. Also check the drain for the heater/ac you could be leaking coolant there and not notice it. Fortunately, this is not like a V-6 where you could get coolant into the oil from a bad intake gasket but you could have a cracked or warped head so check the oil. Also is there a large quantity of white smoke coming from the exhaust. Dead give away for a damaged head.

[mhr430]

I had a similar situation with my'96 GA. It turned out to be an almost microscopic leak in the radiator which I found using a UV dye.

[skibum1111]

I had a mystery leak with my 95 quad, turned out to be the o-ring on the water outlet. Very difficult to find, it would leave the occasional wet spot, could smell it sometimes, but almost impossible to see due to all the crap that is jammed into that corner of the car. Probe around the motor with a telescoping mirror, look under hoses, fittings, sensors, water pump, thermostat etc. You will find the leak eventually, but if looking doesn't reveal anything, keep a close eye on your oil as these motors are notorious for blowing head gaskets and cracking heads.