coolant???

[arrow]

k, about 4 days ago i drained my coolant (replaced the heater core) and then filled it again. I filled the over-flow tank to the "fill cold" line and everthing is fine. Today, i checked my fluid levels and to my wonder and surprise my over-flow tank was empty. Now, the weird thing is that it isn't leaking and it isn't burning (as far as i can tell (by smell)). Now, the rads been replaced witha little bit larger after-market rad and all the hoses are in newly-new condition. The over-flow tank isn't leaking and isn't spilling out the top of the tank. I think i need either a new water-temp sensor (my temp. gauge doesn't work) or a new thermostat (seems more likely that that could be the problem) but i still have no clue where the hell all this coolant is going. When the engine is hot, coolant isn't going into the over-flow and it seems like everyday it takes just a little bit more away from the over-flow until, like today, it's empty. I still have hot air coming through my heater. What i really need to know is: where could all this coolant be going? My heater core isn't leaking because i just just replaced it so... help!

 

[kevinsranger]

there was probably air trapped in the rad and engine when you refilled it and it is working the air out and taking the coolant, i never keep my overflow filled

 

[flyingbrick]

Unless you sit there and run the motor to make sure all the air is out, it'll take a couple of days of driving around to work the air out of the motor, at the rad shop we'd run cars for up to 3 hours just to get most/all the air out. Just keep an eye on your overflow jug, keep it between the hot and cold marks till you know your done, and before winter don't forget to get the strength checked.

 

[darkranger]

You need to drive it,and add to the overflow as needed for a few days.

 

[arrow]

well, even before i drained the rad it take a little bit here and there but never put any back into the over flow. i just thought that a little bit strange cuz the engine is in really very nice shape for having 270,000 km on it with no leaks or anything. but then again i haven't had it that long so...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

pressure test the cooling system, do a compression test on the engine. if its not leaking externally, its leaking internally.