reservoir bottle refill

vinchez78 · Post by **vinchez78** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:57 pm

i've noticed i have to refill my reservoir bottle maybe every three weeks or so, but my radiator retains the coolant, anyone know about this? thanks

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 7:08 pm

Small head gasket leak or lower intake leak.

vinchez78 · Post by **vinchez78** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 7:10 pm

F%&K!!!!! Really??!! is that bad/expensive?

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:04 pm

Not good, but it could be a lot worse. More a pain then expensive. It's also entirely possible you have small leak somewhere in system. Have you noticed any scent of antifreeze in the car or under the hood?

vinchez78 · Post by **vinchez78** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:19 pm

None, but before before my old radiator crapped out on me, I did smell a faint coolant smell, but I haven't smelled anything like that since my new radiator

Post by **1993cobra** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:53 pm

maybe the reservoir bottle has a small leak, you sure your not checking the windshield washer reservoir??

dbrennancobra · Post by **dbrennancobra** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:04 pm

1993cobra wrote:maybe the reservoir bottle has a small leak, you sure your not checking the windshield washer reservoir??

lol

RollTide93 · Post by **RollTide93** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:05 pm

And hopefully the coolant smell isn't a leaky heater core

dbrennancobra · Post by **dbrennancobra** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:08 pm

RollTide93 wrote:And hopefully the coolant smell isn't a leaky heater core

oh god.. help you

fastfox619 · Post by **fastfox619** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:42 pm

dbrennancobra wrote:
RollTide93 wrote:And hopefully the coolant smell isn't a leaky heater core
oh god.. help you

...uh oh

vinchez78 · Post by **vinchez78** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:30 am

LOL, no, I'm sure I wasn't checking the windshield washer reservoir Kev. And no coolant smell.

And no hole in the reservoir, pretty dry on the ground and engine

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:22 am

RollTide93 wrote:And hopefully the coolant smell isn't a leaky heater core

If he is filling at much as he says he is, there would be some wet carpet by know, or at least smelling it in the cabin.

I'd be checking the oil for signs of anti-freeze, and vice-versa. If it all checks out, probably eeking by the lower intake gasket and burning it off.

93Cobra#2771 · Post by **93Cobra#2771** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:38 am

Could also be a waterpump going out. Often they won't leak at all while driving, but after they stop and park they'll shoot some out the weep hole on occasion. And it will evaporate before hitting the ground.

Look for signs of rust/green goo around the weep hole on the waterpump, and also possible pinhole leaks on the radiator.

It may not be a HG, but it is certainly in the realm of possibilities...

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:22 am

HG would be worst case for sure.

Before you do anything, go to an autoparts store and rent a coolant pressure tester and see if you can find any external leaks in the system.

tliss · Post by **tliss** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 10:55 am

I had the same issue. It was my water pump. I never saw anything on the ground until the water pump just puked and let out a bunch of coolant. Definitely check the water pump.