Where did my coolant go?
05-06-2011 | 04:23 PM
#31
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 25,339
From: Fredericksburg,VA
By white jacket, do you mean the insulator that does not go into the cylinder? If that's what you mean then I think you gave me bad news. I remember asking myself about the orange tint on the old plugs. BTW I did not mean 10 oz. a week, I meant 1 - 2 oz. a week. Sausage fingers.
05-06-2011 | 11:24 PM
#32
Platinum Member
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 15,983
From: SE USA
Yes I believe he means the spark plug white porcelain.. That tells a lot about the motor & how it burns fuel.
It can also get a red/orange tint to it from certain octain boosters or additives, added to the fuel..
It can also get a red/orange tint to it from certain octain boosters or additives, added to the fuel..
05-07-2011 | 08:17 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: 04-14-2010
Posts: 432
From: Wisconsin
I had something similar to this on another vehicle. Not indicating it's the same but worth a look.
You may have a leak at a location where 2 machined parts fit together (mine was the water pump to block). When you accelerate or have the engine under strain, hill climbing for example, the parts separated SLIGHTLY and the engine heat "boiled" off the coolant, so it wasn't noticeable.
I had this car to the dealer about 5 times and was told the coolant lose, about 1 1/2 pints a week, is normal. I found it after noticing a temp. rise while going uphill just after filling the overflow tank.
You may have a leak at a location where 2 machined parts fit together (mine was the water pump to block). When you accelerate or have the engine under strain, hill climbing for example, the parts separated SLIGHTLY and the engine heat "boiled" off the coolant, so it wasn't noticeable.
I had this car to the dealer about 5 times and was told the coolant lose, about 1 1/2 pints a week, is normal. I found it after noticing a temp. rise while going uphill just after filling the overflow tank.
05-18-2011 | 06:10 PM
#34
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 25,339
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Well, I decided that my head gasket was bad, got a $1400 estimate, then went to Advance Auto Parts, I got "K&W Nanotechnology Head Gasket & Block Repair" by CRC (regular $34 on sale $17) and a gallon of Dexcool and a tstat. It took 2 days to administer, but so far, it seems to have solved the disappearing coolant problem. I no longer smell anti-freeze and the coolant level seems stable after 500 miles anyway.
I usually steer clear of chemical fixes, but I figured $60 V. $1400, I won't be losing much if I have to have the job done (if I bought the parts and attempted the job myself, the parts are about $300+)
I usually steer clear of chemical fixes, but I figured $60 V. $1400, I won't be losing much if I have to have the job done (if I bought the parts and attempted the job myself, the parts are about $300+)
05-23-2011 | 07:21 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: 04-14-2010
Posts: 432
From: Wisconsin
05-23-2011 | 11:02 PM
#39
Platinum Member
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 15,983
From: SE USA