Anyone ever had problems with engine coolant disappearing? It's not leaking, and there isn't any white smoke coming out of my exhaust. As winter is approaching, my car's getting bitchier and bitchier about idle temps. Today I was sitting in the parking lot at school when i noticed my coolant gauge shoot up to about 1/4" from the "H" area. I was like "holy shit" and shut down my car, i'm going to replace the thermostat tomorrow evening, but i don't know how far this will work. I usually have to add 1/4 gallon of coolant a week, now, and i've been brushing it off as something unexplained but alright, sicne my car never overheated, or even showed remote signs of overheating, until todya in the parking lot. Has anyone else had this happen?



Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 2 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / JL Audio 500/1 amp / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT

if I were you I would get ahold of that datalogger again and measure temps of the coolant it may just be the guage. But the coolant thing makes me think you may have a cracked radiator. I'm thinking mine may be cracked as well. Of cource always check the easy stuff first like hoses and all. I had a leaking hose one time and it was throwing coolant on the engine rather than the ground and it was burning off so fast I couldn't see it on the engine.

Mine did the same thing but my problem was that the radiator cap was leaking because it wasnt holding preasure.

Yeah mine did that alot. i posted about it a while back,... guess ppl here just dont liek me : ( .. hehe I still admire most of ya anyways ;) well I ended up reaplcing the radiator since i got it for 95 brand new from the manufaturer not too far from here. It fixed everything.. the air comming from the engine bay into the car was a bit cool too, thats pretty good since im turbo... well untill i boosted that is.

Hmm, those are all interesting. Keep in mind that it didn't actually overheat, in fact, the needle didn't even BUDGE until today at school. I have been eating coolant for quite a long time, though. It just never overheated.




Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 2 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / JL Audio 500/1 amp / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT

LOL, my radiator cap seal was destroyed also, but i fixed that the first time i noticed it losing fluid. Apparnatly that wasn't it :)



Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 2 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / JL Audio 500/1 amp / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT

I think your headgasket might be shot. It only takes a very small leak to cause your symptoms.

Do a leak down check or take it to a shop and have it done. This is not a compression check. Check to see if you have bubbling in the coolant when the air is applied.

Second guess:

Your thermostat is shot because it is not circulating the fluid. The fluid boils over filling up your overflow tank and running on the ground. You will see your overflow tank totally full(check it after a hard drive). When your car cools down, it draws the coolant from the overflow tank and it should be empty(this is in the morning).

When driving the airflow is keeping your temps normal, when you sit idle, the temps will rise. When they do, check the overflow asap.

This would require you to check your overflow periodically. Have you done this?

If your overflow never gets full(when it overheats or gets hot)and you know you do not have any leaks in the radiator/lines, your headgasket needs to be replaced. IMHO

Good luck

Definitely check the overflow reservoir for signs of overflow. If so then you might have a bad radiator cap (not holding pressure) or your thermostat is bad. When my coolant overflowed, the radiator cap solved my problem. Worst case scenario, you might have a bad headgasket. But if that's the case, you should see white smoke or something from your exhaust--after the engine has warmed up.

Usually when our headgasket goes, it is between an oil jacket and outside. Usually causes oil consumption instead of coolant consumption. Maybe your headgasket did something totally whacked. I don't think it would be a thermostat, as they usually stick open, and not closed. But if for some reason, it stuck closed, then the coolant wouldn't circulate, and the coolant in your motor would get really hot, but wouldn't much effect the coolant overflow bottle. Try a leakdown test and let us know what's up.
-=B-=

Weell, with midterms tomorrow, I didn't have time to take care of my first guess. the thermostat. I let my friend drive my car for the day and in exchange he washed it and changed the thermostat. So far, it hasn't overheated at all, and he said he started it, let it idle for about 10 minutes, drive it across town and then let it idle again for another 10 minutes, with no move in temps at all. X...(cross your fingers), that head gasket CAN'T be shot, it's only like 5 months old, and its hte revised mopar one. Strange thing is, there's nothing coming out of my exhaust out of the ordinary. I'll check the coolant level tonight and see, but i'm sure it'll probably be bone dry :(



Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 2 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / JL Audio 500/1 amp / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT

im having this problem... any updates?

Sup guys..I am having gte SAME EXACT problem also but temp gauge NEVER GO HIGHER THEN Middle. (so perfect)
But my coolant overflow tank is ALWAYS BONE DRY when I check it, even I fill it FULL ALL THE WAY, the next day I check it, it's EMPTY. But I have no white smoke from exhaust and my coolant temp gauge is not going high.
WHat's up? NEver change my headgasket since... 1995 (stock) but no white smoke.

Well, there is smoke, but I think they are steam or somesort, since it's REALLY cold outside.
Gil

same problem here.

Check ALL your hoses. The one above the exhaust manifold had a pinhole leak.

That and your HG's are mostlikely blown.

if it only happens when you idle, its your fan, or relays....

turn your AC on (make sure the buttons pressed in, that will kick the fans on), 20$ says the temps goes down.

i have the SAME problem