I had just put coolant in there last week and yesterday the light came on again. I looked in there and it was practically empty. Yesterday I filled it all the way up to the top. Today it was almost gone again. I felt around the bottom of the container and did not feel any holes so I dont know what is wrong. Could there be a leak in the tubes and if so how much will it cost to get fixed.
2007-09-04 00:07:04 · 10 answers · asked by liberty289 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
well obviously you have a leak. Check around the whole system for signs of a leak (not necessarily wet patches - look for salt like deposits left from the antifreeze as it evaporates) - particularly around water pump, hose conections, heater rail (usually at back of engine)
What car is it? Age?
Also, might be indicator of a blown head gasket or cracked or porous block - take oil filler cap off and look inside for a light brown "mayonnaise" type substance - this would indicate water has got into your oil - also check the coolant expansion tank for same (in case oil went into your water instead of other way around)
Does the car overheat before you lose the coolant? You could be boiling the coolant away - which could lead to or be a sign of blown head gasket
Refill coolant - run engine up to temperature (on your drive/in road) and wait to to see if thermostat opens (by feeling temperature of radiator top hose - when it opens it will suddenly get hot) - if temperature guage in car is over half way and radiator top hose isn't hot - then sounds like your thermostat isn't working.
Also, when you run engine up to temperature, if the top hose gets hot (ie your thermostat IS working) check your radiator - place your hand on different areas (MIND THE FAN!!) and see if pretty uniform temperature all over - if you have cold areas could mean radiator is blocked and needs flushing.
Check the fan comes on when engine get hot - if not could be simple fuse or (more likely) temperature sensor (located in side of radiator end tank)
erm...what else..........
Did the coolant disappear without you running the engine?
By the way - you shouldn't fill it all the way to the top - when the engine gets hot it will overpressure and will lead to failure of hoses, gaskets etc etc!!!!! - there is a level on the bottle - don't go above this!!!!!!!
2007-09-04 00:28:18 · answer #1 · answered by filski666 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John Paul hit the nail on the head. A cooling system pressure check is necessary if you see no external leaks. It's a fool proof test that takes minutes. All garages and independant mechanics have these special pumps that also check the condition of your radiator pressure cap.
Do not dump in sealers at this time. You have a serious leak that needs to repared properly.
2007-09-04 01:14:20 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TWO WORDS Head Gasket
You must get your cooling system checked to be sure. There are combustion chemical detectors that mechanics use to see if you have internal engine problems. AS always Year make model and engine size and milage help when answering. Pricey to repair. What does the oil in the transmission look like (strawberry shake) and engine oil look milky. Signs of where the coolant is going to.
2007-09-04 00:47:57 · answer #3 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From all indications it points to a leak in your radiator or you may have a bad hose. If you have not checked your hoses in a period of time, I would suggest checking them first and then go from there. If you have a bad hose you are looking at minor repair job. If your radiator is leaking it all depends on how bad the leak is. If your hoses are not bad or leaking I would take it to a radiator shop and they can give you the details on a repair job. I will say this replacing a radiator is not cheap.
2007-09-04 00:18:45 · answer #4 · answered by Rooster 1972 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question until you figure it out put water in it will work just not as well as coolant on a hot day. I would have guessed water pump before but you said you replaced it the coolant went somewhere? how about the passenger side floor from a bad heater core? or did you use a rebuilt water pump? often times the rebuilt ones leak too. I buy new water pumps when ever possible. keep trying to find out where that water is going good luck.
2016-05-21 00:30:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
need to know more ...year?...make?...model?
ahh...let's see....a head gasket could be blown...water pump weep hole may be leaking when driving ...and it may be something as stupid as the pressure cap on your radiator...I've seen a ton of radiators almost empty themselves because of a radiator cap...if your engine is designed to run at 12 lbs internal pressure and your cap is releasing at say 4 lbs instead....your gonna pump the coolant out through the overflow tube as your driving.....but again...we need more info on your particular automobile.
2007-09-04 00:18:34 · answer #6 · answered by flh_ryder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could also be a leak in your water pump, or somewhere else in your cooling system. Check hoses, etc. Also you might want to change the water pump.
2007-09-04 00:16:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you have a leak in your radiator, take it to the shop to get it looked at.
2007-09-04 00:15:32 · answer #8 · answered by franxie03 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A leak (get it checked out).
2007-09-04 00:15:28 · answer #9 · answered by JusMe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WATER PUMP BAD or thermostat bad chech and see if a puddle is under car near front.
2007-09-04 03:07:52 · answer #10 · answered by rex b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋