Low Coolent
12-29-2007, 10:07 PM
#1
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hey i just noticed today the my coolant tank was empty. it was not dry but very very low. my temp gauge never really moved from normal. im just wondering why i would be loosing coolant. i never have any drips under my car so i dont think there are any leaks. i also noticed that when i got my oil changed that i was about a quart low. my car has 94,000 on it. anyone have any ideas?
thanks for helping
thanks for helping
12-30-2007, 01:25 PM
#4
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coolant can evaporate from the overflow tank over time. It's not a big deal if it goes low after 90,000 miles. You should have your coolant flushed and refilled at 40,000 anyways. I'd start worrying if it goes low at 10,000 miles, maybe replace the radiator cap and inspect hoses.
01-02-2008, 12:10 AM
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What about water pump? Have you changed it? If you water pump leak, you may not be able to see it since it vaporate. 94000 mile is a good time for having this pump change along with belt.
I had once water pump leak without noticing it. It leaked when it is hot. Bad day. :-(
I had once water pump leak without noticing it. It leaked when it is hot. Bad day. :-(
04-08-2010, 08:34 PM
#8
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+1 what DTN said. Exactly right.
If it is actually leaking, you can very often tell by looking at the weep holes on the water pump, which will have crud around them. The water evaporates but the coolant builds up nastiness around the holes. Also the hose clamps may leak a little and then the leak gets full of crud and it dries up again (this happened on my car). Replacing the water pump is a good idea at the second timing belt change (120k miles) because it's exactly the same work as required to do the belt change +5 or so pump mounting bolts. At 120k miles, the bearings on my pump were getting rough but it still sealed tight and worked fine. Before then, don't replace it unless you are pretty sure it's bad b/c it's a hassle.
A quart of oil in 3,000 miles will get you a "that's normal" from pretty much every dealership service department in the USA. A car with badly sealing piston rings or valve guides will go through (potentially much) more than that.
If it is actually leaking, you can very often tell by looking at the weep holes on the water pump, which will have crud around them. The water evaporates but the coolant builds up nastiness around the holes. Also the hose clamps may leak a little and then the leak gets full of crud and it dries up again (this happened on my car). Replacing the water pump is a good idea at the second timing belt change (120k miles) because it's exactly the same work as required to do the belt change +5 or so pump mounting bolts. At 120k miles, the bearings on my pump were getting rough but it still sealed tight and worked fine. Before then, don't replace it unless you are pretty sure it's bad b/c it's a hassle.
A quart of oil in 3,000 miles will get you a "that's normal" from pretty much every dealership service department in the USA. A car with badly sealing piston rings or valve guides will go through (potentially much) more than that.