Cooling System, Driving Me Crazy!!!

[twanger]

G'day all,
OK my problem is i have been losing coolant through the radiator cap whilst the engine is hot. I also had air bubbles coming through the cooling system so i installed new head gaskets etc which stopped the bubbles but still losing the coolant! I decided to hang the expense and bought a new radiator, cap and thermostat and still seem to be losing coolant somewhere I hear water gushing in the heater core but no leaks into the carpet! WHATS GOING ON??? Please help before i lose my mind.

[Cheap6]

How was the system bled? The coolant level needs to be above the level of the bleed screw to get all the air out. Use a plastic bottle with the base cut off as a funnel with electrical tape wrapped around the neck to form a seal in the radiator.

If that is OK, you are looking for the brown stains left when the coolant dries. Less than obvious places include the heater core; it can drain out of the A/C drain tubes, under the car, the water pump, welch plugs, at the sides of the engine and the rear between the engine and transmission, into the engine via the manifold gaskets or head gasket(s) (even though they have just been replaced), the radiator side tanks.

[twanger]

Thanks Cheap, i will try your method of bleeding as the bleed screw is well above the top of the radiator. I think i may have spotted a tiny leak from one of the welch plugs also, DAMN. Any truth in the old saying 'use pepper for minor leaks? Lastly if the new heads and/or manifold gaskets are leaking is that just a matter of retensioning? Thanks again Cheap6.

[Joey_21]

so its just the radiator cap overflowing not the actual resivoir where u put the colant in change the cap of that as somtimes air can get underneath not getting the seal which will cause it 2 bubble
or change 2 a pod helped my mate

[twanger]

Thanks Joey, i replaced the cap but seem to be losing the coolant from somewhere else not visible! I put a new VRS head gasket set, cap, radiator and thermostat. I seem to have fixed the coolant coming out of the radiator cap but the reservoir still seems to drop after a decent drive.

[Joey_21]

soz i ment chenage the cap of the resivoir bottle if it hasnt got a good seal itll make ur colant bubble and run out through the overfill pipe

[twanger]

Ok will check that out. Thanks again.

[88GreenVN]

When you bleed the air out have your heater setting on full.

Welsh plugs are a real pain - I'd put money on that if you've fixed all the other things.