can't figure out where coolant is going

[tompands]

My 2003 Ranger 3.0 has got an issue. At first I suspected a head gasket. The coolant goes down every time i start the truck, but there's nothing leaking anywhere, and there's nothing coming out of the exhaust. It never overheats. where the hell is the coolant going??? I filled it up yesterday, and was down this morning and had not ran any. I parked it on my concrete driveway to be sure and nothing on the ground. It don't go down a lot, maybe an inch or two. Could it be air pockets??

 

[sgtsandman]

Have you looked at the front of the radiator yet? You may have to undo the mounting bolts to see the front of it if you have A/C. The condenser will be hiding the front of the radiator. It could be leaking enough to do what you are describing but not drip on the ground because it evaporates enough to allow nothing to show. Even pin hole leaks will be issue but not be seen if in the right places.

Less common but I've seen it happen. A coolant hose fails internally allowing coolant to wick along the reenforcing cords and out the end of the hose.