coolant level

[Chueybaca]

Ok guys so here is an update. I recently did a head job and replaced all gaskets except the throttle body gasket. I have a problem with the coolant level dropping.(drops about half a cup in a day.) the thing is if I leave the water in the car and don't drive it, the next day it will be at the same level. So the leak only happens when the car has been used. I have replaced the radiator, hoses, water pump with gasket, the plastic elbows(had problems before) the thermostat, the coolant resoivor doesn't seem to be leaking and.... I took it to a radiator shop and the guy said the pressure is good and no leaks.
He said it might be the radiator cap. My wifes stepdad checked it(knows mechanics) and says the radiator fan doesn't seem to be working as strong as it should?

Sorry for the long post, but I am kind of in a rut here. I do not like to know that I am loosing anything in the car. Other than that the car runs like a champ, except for a small miss every now and then. (haven't run it in 6-7 months.)
Also, when the car is running there is no visible leaks that I can see or even smell coolant.
Could it be the return lines, or maybe I should just try a new cap? This is the second cap btw I have tried.

[nelsjosh]

Re: coolant level

are you burning it? check the color o your exhaust

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

No, before it was burning it and I would have white exhaust all the time. That lead it to being the intake gasket had failed.(Thought it was the heads so I did both.)

[cam98aro]

Re: coolant level

how long has this been happening?

when i had air in my engine it took a while for it to bleed out, i thought that it was leaking, but it was just a lot of air

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

you are absolutely right cam98maro. I kept bleeding it and now the third day the coolant level stayed topped off. :) im so excited my car is finally back up again.

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

Well I thought it was keeping the coolant but I checked the level yesterday and it dropped about a cup. Again, new radiator cap to make sure, bled several times, no visible leaks, no white exhaust(just done heads). Im at a doozy :/

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

Ok I know this is dumb but I tried it anyway. I disconnected the small hose that goes to the coolant reservoir tank to see if the coolant will come out. It never did. I ran the car for 20 min with the AC on to heat up and not once did coolant come out. Also the radiator cap wasn't as hot. Can anyone explain this?
There is also still brown gunk in the radiator system after I have flushed it before. Can this cause a small leak?

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

Bump...anyone know what might be happening? lol like I said pressure test came out good, checked several different caps. I am just gonna tear down the whole cooling system and inspect everything. Going the replace the TB gasket because that is the only one left, and clean the condenser. See how that goes.

[ssms5411]

Re: coolant level

When you run the A/C the fans come on , so its not going to heat up as much. What is the tempature outside? Stock settings for the fans is 220 low and 230 high fans come on, unless the A/C is on then the low fans come on and the radiator cap I think opens at 230 degrees since its a 18 PSI cap.

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

yeah the fans seem to be working...and the reservoir as well. I guess I just have to live with it lol.

[chevy3504me]

Re: coolant level

Im guessing 3.4???

Check your resevoir for cracks. I had one break at the top and never new it.

Also keep an eye under your car, jack it up and look underneath for anything, could be a freezeplug.

Pull the overflow hose again, Clean in to make sure it flows, and put the end of it in a milk jug. Get in the car and rev it up, pay attention to your temp gauge. let it get at running temps and check the milk jug. If its empty your need another cap. If it is new that still doesnt mean its working properly.

[Chueybaca]

Re: coolant level

No it's a 2000 3.8. I will try the overflow idea you have and see what happens. Thanks for the replies.

[chevy3504me]

Re: coolant level

Thats what we're here for