Disappearing Coolant?
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: jersey
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Disappearing Coolant?
Hey guys I was filling my windsheild wiper fluid when I notice my reserve coolant was down. Now I belive that it was higher before ( not to long ago ) but I don't see any leaks nor smell coolant through my vents. What should I do?
#2
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Probably you LIM gasket. Check around your intake manifold to see if you have any coolant pooling around the bolts. It you don't see it leaking from anywhere obvious, this is probably where it'* going. If it is leaking from the LIM, get it fixed ASAP.
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
A. When the engine is cold, check the level of coolant in the radiator- especially if the coolant tank is empty. If the coolant level in the radiator is down, top up the radiator to the overflow port and refill the overflow tank with 50-50 coolant.
B. Smell the exhaust right after you start the engine to see if you can detect the sweet smell of coolant. If so, you have an internal coolant leak. Go to D.
C. Check the oil on the dipstick after the car has been running for a while. If the oil is milky in appearance, that indicates an internal coolant leak into the crankcase. Go to D.
D. Shut it down and drain the oil and coolant from the engine immediately in hopes of saving your bearings.
If the oil looks good (normal), watch the coolant level very carefully and look carefully for external coolant leaks. Remember, some external leaks will not occur until the cooling system is hot and under some pressure.
Look carefully at the radiator hoses, thermostat housing, under the throttle body, and on the passenger end of the engine at the places described in this topic: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...r=asc&start=20
If you are sure you have no external coolant leaks and are losing coolant, it is time to change out your UIM and LIM gaskets. Be person 15,625 to read about it here: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=38:
B. Smell the exhaust right after you start the engine to see if you can detect the sweet smell of coolant. If so, you have an internal coolant leak. Go to D.
C. Check the oil on the dipstick after the car has been running for a while. If the oil is milky in appearance, that indicates an internal coolant leak into the crankcase. Go to D.
D. Shut it down and drain the oil and coolant from the engine immediately in hopes of saving your bearings.
If the oil looks good (normal), watch the coolant level very carefully and look carefully for external coolant leaks. Remember, some external leaks will not occur until the cooling system is hot and under some pressure.
Look carefully at the radiator hoses, thermostat housing, under the throttle body, and on the passenger end of the engine at the places described in this topic: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...r=asc&start=20
If you are sure you have no external coolant leaks and are losing coolant, it is time to change out your UIM and LIM gaskets. Be person 15,625 to read about it here: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=38:
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Originally Posted by EWC88
Should I top off the overflow port in the radiator with 50/50 as well?
#7
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just going to reference my post, which Bill just referenced above, lol. I just had the same exact thing - disappearing coolant. There was no coolant on the ground for a long time, and I couldn't figure out where the hell it was going. I assumed, along with other people, that it was LIM/UIM. After 2-3 months I started seeing coolant in the ground in small amounts, and then BINGO, lost a large amount of coolant in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Again many people assumed it was LIM/UIM, and I was prepared to replace it. Then Bill suggested water pump, and thats what it turned out to be. Cost about $60 to fix, including cost of new coolant. Not sure if this is your problem, but be careful to jump to the LIM/UIM conclusion without investigating other possibilities. It saved me quite a bit of money. Mine started out exactly like yours...disappearning coolant with no trace. By the way, mine is ALSO an 01' SE.
Again many people assumed it was LIM/UIM, and I was prepared to replace it. Then Bill suggested water pump, and thats what it turned out to be. Cost about $60 to fix, including cost of new coolant. Not sure if this is your problem, but be careful to jump to the LIM/UIM conclusion without investigating other possibilities. It saved me quite a bit of money. Mine started out exactly like yours...disappearning coolant with no trace. By the way, mine is ALSO an 01' SE.
#8
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
At 120K miles a water pump is a good candidate. Trying looking into the backside behind the pulled with a flashlight and mirror to see if you see any coolant tracks.
Check after the car is nice and hot and shut off to look for those seeps that occur when the system pressurizes more after stopping the car.
Check after the car is nice and hot and shut off to look for those seeps that occur when the system pressurizes more after stopping the car.
#10
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My water pump failed and I haven't even hit 100k yet. It was actually the seal, the water pump itself was fine. I just replaced both anyways, along with installing a 180* thermostat. I hope I didn't do any major damage, but engine temps never got above 210, so I don't think I did.
I didn't follow any kind of guide (if thats what you mean by tutor guide), other than the basic info in TechInfo and some information from Alldatadiy. You can check out my thread on this topic at the link that Bill posted above - it was just last week. Its very simple - remove belt, unbolt water pump, bolt new one on, fill coolant properly (Theres a guide for that too). Fixed my problem totally.
I didn't follow any kind of guide (if thats what you mean by tutor guide), other than the basic info in TechInfo and some information from Alldatadiy. You can check out my thread on this topic at the link that Bill posted above - it was just last week. Its very simple - remove belt, unbolt water pump, bolt new one on, fill coolant properly (Theres a guide for that too). Fixed my problem totally.