I have a 95 ford taurus that I have to fill the radiator often...like every couple of days. I have looked for leakage under the car and do not see any. Fan works fine, there is no coolant in the oil, no white smoke, I bought a new radiator cap. Next step is the thermostat. yesterday with the old radiator cap, the radiator cap was cold when i overheated. Today I did not overheat but the radiator cap felt warm. Seems that the coolant is disappearing while driving. Can this leak out only when driving? Also when I walk around to the front after engine has been running...It smells hot, I can smell the coolant.Any suggestions?
2006-11-04 09:35:49 · 8 answers · asked by ebaijunky06 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
My car was running hot today and I noticed some leaking. I let it cool off and took off the hose by the thermostat...whalla!!!!Under the band there was a teeny hole...So I trimmed the hose and put it back together...Didnt cost me a penny to fix....:)
2006-11-06 16:24:10 · update #1
you probably have a leak that's burning off on the engine as you drive. it can be leaking only while the engine's running 'cause the coolant system in a car is pressurized and the radiator is just a reservoir. if it's leaking from a hose or the engine itself, the coolant won't run through that spot while the car's off.
2006-11-04 09:40:02 · answer #1 · answered by rachel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the cap was cold when it overheated the thermostat could have been stuck shut, but I'd bet someone sometime replaced the big hose on the bottom of the radiator and didn't put the spring into the new hose. That spring keeps the water pump suction from collapsing that hose and cutting off coolant flow. Or, it might have been cool because you were so low on water. Fill it up, get the engine hot and watch under the hood. Leaking heater hoses could be losing your water. A blown head gasket could be sending it out the exhaust pipe.
And, do not trust your temperature gauge. When the coolant level gets below the sensor, the gauge won't work right.
2006-11-04 19:26:15 · answer #2 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like a thermostat, if it sticks closed the coolant will be forced out when it is overheating, and cold on the radiator side
2006-11-04 17:40:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it possibly leaking into the front under the glove box on the floor? Do your windows fog up? while the defrost is on?
2006-11-04 18:30:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heater core...feel the floor board carpet on the passenger side...if it is wet..then it's the heater core. But from what you describe....filling the water that often....it is possible you have a cracked head...you say no white smoke...maybe you just aren't seeing it.
2006-11-04 17:43:25 · answer #5 · answered by Kenneth S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have a bad head gasket.
2006-11-04 17:42:30 · answer #6 · answered by George K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One answer...
Take it to the dealers. No one knows more than they do.
2006-11-04 17:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by gregelectro13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water pump been there and donr that
2006-11-04 17:44:48 · answer #8 · answered by Chad O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋