I do not know way we are loosing antifreeze in our radiator?

Question

We have a 98 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS. We have had to add antifreeze every week and some time twice a week when we had a lot of thing to do that week. In late April or early May we replaced the antifreeze in the car, because we had put the wrong antifreeze in the car. We should of put DEX in the car. So we flushed the radiator out and put the right antifreeze in and sence than the low coolent light has been on and off. now for the past two weeks the light preanty much stays on.

Answer 1

If yours is the 3.1 engine you may need to have the intake manifold gaskets changed. GM has redesigned these gaskets numerous times and STILL has not got it right (I have two of them in the lot waiting for the same job).

Look for evidence of coolant leaks at the back corner of the intake where it joins the head (we find it mostly on the rear head). You can also find evidence of internal leakage by looking at the #5 sparkplug (when the engine has burned some coolant the porcelain will be a different color...slightly reddish).

Common problem on the '95 and later 3.1 and 3.4 V-6s.

The job costs about $250 for parts and 6.5 hours labor (plus fluids) if you have it done by an experienced "wrench".

Answer 2

You may have what is called a cold water leak which when the engine is shut off the cooling system is under pressure as the engine cools down the radiator will still have some pressure in it then where ever the leak is IE: hose joint, clamps, gaskets will start to drip. Check all clamps the spring type rust and won't keep hose joint tight. Also GM has had problems with some of their engines with mixed alloys leaking and offer a stop leak for it which is a brown powder that you can add to radiator. which will seal up small leaks. Also when filling the cooling system you need to get all the air out one way is to use asprin pills to hold the thermostat open ( need to remove to do this) and as the coolant rises the air can escape the pills desolve and the thermostat works normally.

Answer 3

when you done the flush you may have left air pockets, as the air slowely leaves it will be replaced with anti freeze. other than that look under the car for leaks especially when it is hot, watch the oil level for anti freeze as a blown head gasket can cause it to mix with the engine oil. the low coolant light means you need to add, not that you are out. do not drive once the overtemparture light comes on.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have a cracked head gasket. The coolant is leaking out and into the head and going out the exhaust. Usually the exhaust will be white after it is warmed up. This is because the coolant comes out as steam. Sometimes it will get into the oil. To check this, simply take out your dipstick and check to see if you see tiny droplets or coolant. It is easy to see because it does not mix with oil.

Answer 5

Look for a leaking hose or you may have a thermostat that is bad or is going bad. Take this car to a good mechanic and let them diagnose it for you. Should not take them long to find your problem. If it is the thermostat, you can go ahead and get it fixed, or if you have a bad hose you can get that fixed pretty fast also. Do not take this car far, because if you do it will strand you on the highway. Take it to a mechanic as soon as you can.

Answer 6

Check the tank first of all. If this is right then the sensor that controls the coolant light is probably on the fritz. You can get this part from your Chevy dealer. I only use the light as a reference, not as the only means to tell me that somethings wrong.

Answer 7

if you can't see it leaking,(it may only leak when the car is warmed up, running with high rpm, after a long drive, park the car, get someone to rev up the engine, and look around for awhile.), then it is probably leaking into the engine, usually in through the head gasket. have you changed your oil? change your oil, and see if it looks milky brown or unusual in any way.

Answer 8

you probably have a leak