Disappearing coolant

[seraphic06]

I am having a coolant/heating problem with my wagon. It would seem my coolant is disappearing into thin air. So far I have change the thermostat twice, bled the system countless times, used some Chem-I-Weld to plug any leaks, changed the radiator cap and today the radiator itself. No matter what I do there is no coolant in the expansion tank and the level in the radiator is low after driving the car. There doesn't appear to be any coolant in the oil and it is not coming out of the overflow line on the expansion tank, so where on earth is it going?

[pjdm1980]

Fill the car and park it on a dry piece of concrete and you should see where it's coming from roughly then focus on that area. Or take it to a radiator place and get it pressure tested then fix it yourself.

[The1]

if there is no water leaks anywhere then most likely either intake manifold gasket or head gaskets. If yours is an auto check the transmission fluid as well, i have heard of the plastic tanks splitting on the radiator and coolant going into transmission.

[vt s]

is it overheating?

[seraphic06]

It doesn't appear to be leaking from anywhere. I will get it pressure tested as soon as possible, although it won't be before late next week. It is getting hotter than it used to however only at idle and the thermo fan keeps the temperature within safe limits. I have noticed that while the top hose gets hot, the radiator cap does not - it barely becomes luke warm.

[chrisdoesitbetter]

im having the same problem and ever since i flushed and changed the coolant and radiator. i did it by the gregories manual and it likes to run at half the temp gauge whereas before it used to stay at 1/4 all the time. i asked a few people and apparently there is some special v6 specific coolant that can keep it cooler?

[seraphic06]

im having the same problem and ever since i flushed and changed the coolant and radiator. i did it by the gregories manual and it likes to run at half the temp gauge whereas before it used to stay at 1/4 all the time. i asked a few people and apparently there is some special v6 specific coolant that can keep it cooler?

Likewise - I changed the top radiator hose and it hasn't been the same ever since. Mine also sat on 1/4 and would barely budge.

Tectalloy make a Commodore only coolant concentrate that costs about $45.00 for five litres. GMH also make a coolant. At the moment I am using Repco's own brand until I work out what is the cause of the problem.

[baza]

the disappearing coolant may be leaking from the little drain hole in the water pump housing . the bearing or seal f***s up and coolant escapes from the drain hole and the heat of the motor can evaporate the coolant so you have trouble finding the source of the leak . or you may have a radiator hose with a really fine leak that only starts when the cooling system builds up to operating pressure. usually this happens when a hose clamp is distorted out of its normal round shape. hope this helps you .

[seraphic06]

the disappearing coolant may be leaking from the little drain hole in the water pump housing . the bearing or seal f***s up and coolant escapes from the drain hole and the heat of the motor can evaporate the coolant so you have trouble finding the source of the leak . or you may have a radiator hose with a really fine leak that only starts when the cooling system builds up to operating pressure. usually this happens when a hose clamp is distorted out of its normal round shape. hope this helps you .

I have been humming and arring about whether to replace the water pump even if it is just to eliminate it as being a problem. Considering how relatively inexpensive they are, I think I will. I am just getting weary of buying coolant all the time.

[Kurtp]

Eh, i asked the same question not so long ago. Got the same old responses.

I changed my radiator cap (which did help) it was rooted, however it did not fix the issue completely.

After driving it for a while i opened the bonnet and had a good look, looking around the water pump i noticed little leaks tucked up and hidden in the corners, my pump gasket had gone in two spots both difficult to spot, and because of the heat of the engine it evaporates and i do not see it. You might wanna check this.

[seraphic06]

Eh, i asked the same question not so long ago. Got the same old responses.

I changed my radiator cap (which did help) it was rooted, however it did not fix the issue completely.

After driving it for a while i opened the bonnet and had a good look, looking around the water pump i noticed little leaks tucked up and hidden in the corners, my pump gasket had gone in two spots both difficult to spot, and because of the heat of the engine it evaporates and i do not see it. You might wanna check this.

Baza and Kurt I examined the pump today and the bloody thing was leaking! I had checked previously but obviously not hard enough. It was trickling down near the harmonic balancer and pooling on top of the oil sump. So I have now changed the water pump and gasket and I am just waiting for the gasket goo to cure somewhat before I refill with coolant. Hopefully it was the cause of the missing coolant and not a busted inlet manifold or cylinder head gasket.

[seraphic06]

Well changing the water pump didn't help so I ended up taking it to a radiator specialist. The chap there said that the Ecotec engine are somewhat difficult to bleed the air from. The bleed screw on top of the thermostat housing often does not do the job. He pressure tested it and found no leaks. He then spent some time fiddling with the air conditioning, heater controls and squeezing the top radiaotor hose. Problem solved. It was the best $25.00 I have ever spent.

[Trevor 062]

Keep an eye on your heater tap. After I changed my water pump on my VT the tap gave up.

[bandidoben]

have you had it pressure tested?
and when you say there is no coolant in oil have you actually removed the sump/drained oil to see the condition its in?
check water pump, heater tap, its a brand new radiator so thats fine and brand new cap.
are you using coolant or just water?
just water wont work.
have you checked EVERYWHERE for a leak?
park it on a dry space of concrete with no oil or water stains and turn car on and let run till it reaches normal temp get out look under car for leaks.
ifr there is none check the engine bay for any spilt in hoses or anything,

[Fred 96]

Just had my waterpump done, while they were doing it, they noticed that there had been a small leak on the outside corner of the inlet manifold, could be something for you to look at?

[seraphic06]

As I stated in response #12 the problem has been fixed. Thanks anyway Fred. I was dearly hoping it wasn't an inlet manifold or cylinder block leak and it wasn't.

[airforceone]

heater hose , leaks slightly on the headers wile driving and under pressure, thats were mine disapered too, no drips wile car sitting or running

[VS_Pete_1]

Well changing the water pump didn't help so I ended up taking it to a radiator specialist. The chap there said that the Ecotec engine are somewhat difficult to bleed the air from. The bleed screw on top of the thermostat housing often does not do the job. He pressure tested it and found no leaks. He then spent some time fiddling with the air conditioning, heater controls and squeezing the top radiaotor hose. Problem solved. It was the best $25.00 I have ever spent.

Last time I changed my coolant I bled it for 3 days drive to work bleed next day did the same forth day no air came out.

[Sean47]

Have it pressure tested when the car is a bit cold and it will tell you if you are loosing pressure its a good place to start water won't evaporate or any thing.