Where is coolant going?

[gimmemebit]

On my '01S coolant ran low twice within 100 miles after 000's without even topping up. No leaks in expansion tank or anywhere under car. Coolant indicator light flashes at normal temps occasionally.

Help!

[mikefocke]

Looked at the color of the oil recently?

Any indication out the tailpipe?

Looked around the water pump?

When you filled the expansion tank, did you burp the engine or use a vacume pump on the system?

Are the front fans running?

How about the trunk lid? Under the carpet in the rear trunk?

Cleaned the radiators recently?

Pressure tested the system recently?

How old is the water pump?

[JFP in PA]

On my '01S coolant ran low twice within 100 miles after 000's without even topping up. No leaks in expansion tank or anywhere under car. Coolant indicator light flashes at normal temps occasionally.

Help!

Pull the spark plugs and look at them; one or more may exhibit a very clean look. If they do, run a leak down test those cylinders; you may have a cracked head.

[gimmemebit]

Front fans work. Oil color - normal. 400 miles since last change. Water pump is about 3 yrs old. Haven't looked at water pump but if coolant leaks at that rate, would notice under car. Did not do pressure test.

[gimmemebit]

Update! Installed new expansion tank and changed two short hoses. Pressure tested system, no leaks. Filled up with coolant, drove 100 miles, parked overnight now coolant leaks around bottom of tank. Pressure tested again, no leaks, drive many miles, park overnight, coolant leaks out behind right rear wheel.

I am out of ideas.

[1schoir]

If the coolant is ending up behind the right rear wheel, that usually means it is getting there via the overflow hole that is located on top of the expansion tank, underneath the thin black plastic trim cover plate.

Unless you filled the system using a vacuum tool, you will get overflow a number of times until the air burps out. If you want to try to burp the air out without using the vacuum method, you should drive around for a few days with the lever that sits on top of the bleeder valve in the vertical or "up" position.

Here is a photo that will show you what is under that thin black cover plate which shows the location of the drain hole and the bleeder lever. Note that in the photo, the bleeder lever is in the "down", normal position. You have to pull up on that lever and get it in the vertical position. (click on the photo to blow it up for a clearer view)

Regards, Maurice.

Edited September 7, 2012 by 1schoir

[gimmemebit]

Many thanks, Maurice. I'll try that and get back to you.

heers.