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Where is my coolant going??

Forum: C3 HVAC, Fuel, Emissions, and Exhaust

16 Messages
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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/6/06 4:15pmMessage 1 of 16
z
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2005
Posts: 936
Vette(s): 1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)

I have a 82CE and latley I've had to add coolant every once and a while,depending on how much I drive it.At least every couple of weeks.I can't find anyplace where it might be comming out.Nothing on the inside(heatercore)and nothing that I can see from the outside.The car is all stock so the cooling system is as GM made it.I'm puzzled??Confused

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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/6/06 4:24pmMessage 2 of 16
R
Ron 78
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
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Did you check the tail pipes or the oil pan ?

C3VR Lifetime Member #93

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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/6/06 5:21pmMessage 3 of 16
d
daveb12
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
The water pump may also be a possibility. I've had a couple leak very slightly and only when runnng.
Try just letting the car idle for a while with a piece of cardboard under the engine.
Obviously, you'd want to check the bad stuf first, like Ron mentioned, water pump issues are fairly simple to correct, but if you have a bad head gasket or cracked head, it doesn't need to be left to get worse.
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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/6/06 6:52pmMessage 4 of 16
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Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Have the system pressure tested, including the radiator pressure cap. People tend to overlook the cap. You may be able to borrow the tester from Auto Zone or Advance Auto and do it yourself. That will tell you if the system is losing pressure and possibly where it's losing pressure from.

If it's an external leak, you should be able to see where the coolant is coming from. If it's an internal leak, it may take a bit more investigation.

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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/8/06 2:18pmMessage 5 of 16
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suncountry
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I had a slight leak once on my wife's van and it took me forever to find it. Turned out the leak was between the head and block right under the exhaust port. The coolant would evaporate as soon as it leaked out. No coolant on the ground or down the block. I finally saw a little green crusty stuff under the exhaust manifold.
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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/8/06 3:03pmMessage 6 of 16
T
Ten15
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East Hanover, NJ - USA
Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525
Vette(s): '68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C
After a pressure test, I found as leak in the heater hose water pump fitting. 
 
I pulled it, cleaned it & used a little extra thread sealant when I re-installled it........Leak fixed.
 
I agree w/ Gunslinger,,,,,,,,,,,,I wouldn't have found the leak w/o the pressure test.
 
Good luck,
 
Anthony
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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/8/06 5:48pmMessage 7 of 16
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lukesvette
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Check the passenger side carpet. If your heater core sprung a leak, it may be running down the inside of the cowl and saturating the footwell area...Dead

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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/8/06 7:01pmMessage 8 of 16
z
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA
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Vette(s): 1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)
I forgot to mention that I don't have any water in the oil and there is no coolant inside the car.I just took it for a ride and I still can't find it.I once took off the radior cap with some difficulty,could I have maybe not put it back on right.This is the newest old car I've ever had.All the other ones(69 GTO.2 70 Z/28's. 70 Roadrunner,78 Transam ect)all of those cars didn't have a system like my 82 Vette so thats why I went right to the cap so maybe thats the problem?
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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/9/06 3:29pmMessage 9 of 16
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Chips58
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Alice Springs, Australia
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Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black

If you've not put the cap on right (I presuming it's on the expansion tank) you'll be dumping coolant on the road as you drive.  I would expect to see a puddle under the car when you stop though unless you've lost that much that it can't reach the drain.  Is the engine temp higher than normal?  That would indicate not enough pressure in the cooling system.

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Where is my coolant going??

Posted: 12/10/06 12:08amMessage 10 of 16
z
zgator
Former Member
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Savannah, GA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2005
Posts: 936
Vette(s): 1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)
[QUOTE=Chips58]

If you've not put the cap on right (I presuming it's on the expansion tank) you'll be dumping coolant on the road as you drive.  I would expect to see a puddle under the car when you stop though unless you've lost that much that it can't reach the drain.  Is the engine temp higher than normal?  That would indicate not enough pressure in the cooling system.

[/QUOTE] No man I'm not talking expansion tank.I mean Raidiator cap!!The engine temp is cool no problem there either
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