Losing coolant

wlkjr · #1 07-21-2009, 06:35 AM

I'm having to add about a gallon of coolant every few weeks, maybe three. Can't see where it is leaking anywhere and the oil analysis did not show up any in the oil.
Does this mean it is burning out the exhaust? Haven't seen any smoke or smelled anything unusual. I only have 371,000 miles and it still runs good. I can tell when it's getting low because the temp gauge will go up when I slow down or stop. What gives?

richtazz · #2 07-21-2009, 08:03 AM

only have 371k,

Didn't you just do an LIM/UIM job Wally?

If so, I hope you don't have a head gasket issue with your mileage.

smokebeast · #3 07-21-2009, 04:05 PM

I'm having the same issue. I already did the UIM/LIM gasket about 10K miles ago. Worked for a while, but now I'm losing more coolant than ever, but none in the oil. Can't find the leak anywhere by inspection, all the hoses are good. I took it to a shop to have it diagnosed, but when they pressurized the system they just blew out the seal on the that coolant 90 deg. elbow on top of the water pump. What else can be leaking? Water pump gasket? Front cover gasket?

tblake · #4 07-21-2009, 07:40 PM

pull the plugs Wally and check for discoloration.

Also check your water pump/bypass elbow area.

wlkjr · #5 07-22-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tblake

pull the plugs Wally and check for discoloration.

Also check your water pump/bypass elbow area.

You mean pull the front three plugs, don't you. I'd rather be kicked in the gonads than deal with those back three plugs again.

wlkjr · #6 07-22-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtazz

only have 371k,

Didn't you just do an LIM/UIM job Wally?

If so, I hope you don't have a head gasket issue with your mileage.

I think it was 3 years ago when I did the LIM/UIM job, somewhere just over 300,000 miles. I can't find any dripping but I am finding some greasy, oily looking spots about 10 inches in diameter, on the driveway. And the front side of the oil filter has that same residue on it.
The water temp only seems to go up when it gets low on coolant. Sure hope it's not a head gasket. I suppose that would give me a chance to practice my mechanical skills when I retire in 2 weeks.

tblake · #7 07-22-2009, 01:19 AM

The back 3 arent so bad. I'll come over and yank them out for you. Just get one of those swivel spark plug sockets for the one blocked by the O2 sensor. You'll be fine.

I have a feeling that if your car was consuming coolant through the head gasket, that you would also have combustion gasses entering the radiator. Fill it and leave the cap off and check for bubbles at idle and blip the throttle. Maybe your UIM has warped (didnt your replace it ones already?)

After I did my LIM gaskets, mine lost coolant out the temp sensor and the t-stat o-ring. The temp sensor appeared dry and I kept on replacing the t-stat gasket because I thought it was dripping from there. It would lose about half the radiator in a few days. Then I finally rented a coolant pressure tester and pumped it up. The rest is history.

BTW, congrats on retirement.

wlkjr · #8 07-22-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tblake

The back 3 arent so bad. I'll come over and yank them out for you. Just get one of those swivel spark plug sockets for the one blocked by the O2 sensor. You'll be fine.

I have a feeling that if your car was consuming coolant through the head gasket, that you would also have combustion gasses entering the radiator. Fill it and leave the cap off and check for bubbles at idle and blip the throttle. Maybe your UIM has warped (didnt your replace it ones already?)

After I did my LIM gaskets, mine lost coolant out the temp sensor and the t-stat o-ring. The temp sensor appeared dry and I kept on replacing the t-stat gasket because I thought it was dripping from there. It would lose about half the radiator in a few days. Then I finally rented a coolant pressure tester and pumped it up. The rest is history.

BTW, congrats on retirement.

Already got the swivel socket for the plugs, so come on over. I have replace the upper intake manifold. Just threw the old one away last month and it was not in bad shape.

toddman67 · #9 07-22-2009, 08:45 AM

Get a combustion leak detector test done on the cooling system to confirm head gasket issue. Some retailers sell the test kits, otherwise find a radiator shop to test.

richtazz · #10 07-22-2009, 09:42 AM

Do you see any horse residue anywhere Wally? some may be blocking airflow through the radiator,

tblake · #11 07-22-2009, 06:27 PM

Wally, I just ordered my plane ticked to georgia. One Way, I figure I will just move down there so I dont have to deal with the salt in the winter here. See you in about 2 weeks!

wlkjr · #12 07-23-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tblake

Wally, I just ordered my plane ticked to georgia. One Way, I figure I will just move down there so I dont have to deal with the salt in the winter here. See you in about 2 weeks!

So you'll be here in time to go to the night race in Atlanta on Labor Day weekend? I'll save you a ticket.

tblake · #13 07-23-2009, 01:55 AM

You know it! Thanks! (I wish)

wlkjr · #14 07-23-2009, 02:23 AM

Tim, you should be in bed asleep.

tblake · #15 07-23-2009, 10:48 AM

Your right.

I just had to check my email quick, waiting on a reply about a new job....

Any word on the coolant leak?

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