I have been noticing lately that my antifreeze is mysteriously disappearing. I just had a new radiator put in and noticed that it is not mixing with the oil. Any reason for this mysterious disappearance? I'll check the resevoir when it's hot and it will be full. However, when I check it when it's cold (about 5-8 hours after it's been driven), the resevoir is damn near empty. Am I just stupid, or is there a rational explanation for this? Looking for more help. Thanks

 

did you check for loose hoses,puddles underneath, smell antifree burning. you possible might have had some air pockets, how long ago did you change the radiator. Everytime I've removed or replaced a radiator I've had the same thing.

 

Sounds normal to me.

When the car is at normal operating temp the coolant expands and is diverted to the coolant tank. When it cools off its taken back into the radiator. There is a "cold" level and a "hot" level on the side of the tank. Make sure its at the appropriate level at either temps.


Tys

Just reread your post......you didnt say if you have been adding coolant to maintain the level. Since youve just changed the rad out for a new one Id agree with spr250 with trapped air in the system thats worked its way out. Top it up and keep an eye on it.

 

I had the radiator replaced a couple days ago; there are no leaks coming from anywhere. Last night for example, the car's been sitting for about 7 hours and when I checked the level, the resevoir was damn near empty; below the Full Cold level. My hoses are fine but I do remember smelling anti-freeze when I stopped the car yesterday.

 

by any chance is your passanger side floor wet? if so you have a damaged heater core.
JJ

 

Not if you've got your coolant properly mixed and your radiator cap isn't shot.

 

Being that his first post refered to having a new rad installed.....I took that as being done by a shop. Id be surprised if they didnt include a new rad cap.

I didnt know certain glycol mixtures expanded at diferent rates......Cooling effectiveness will be thou.

 

Coolant under a 16 PSI cap won't boil until somewhere on the hot side of 260 F. It'll all stay in the cooling system until then, unless there's a leak.

 

The level is good when hot, but cold I'm not sure. Yes I got a new cap, 16 PSI. Also, there is not leak anywhere the core is in good condition. This isn't effecting the engine temp so I'm not gonna worry too much about it. Thanks for the assist everyone.

 

Well if its not going into the oil or on the ground, Im guessing air pockets in the block that are working free. Its gotta go somewheres. More likely if you brought it to a shop they halfed***ed it, filled till stop going in at a steady rate and capped it off, seen it before-thats why I do my own repairs.

 

The coolant level in the day tank rises long before engine temps reach 260F.

 

You have a problem with your cooling system, then.

 

Check your owners manual. Does it say ' Level should be at the "Full Cold" mark on the recovery tank when system is cold and at the "Full Hot" mark during engine operation.'? Mine does.

 

I'm the 3rd owner of the car so I don't have the owner's manual for it.

 

The only thing I can think of is to, with the engine cold, fill the radiator and the overfill-to the cold line and go for a nice sunday drive and see all what changes. Another thing that I like to do, if the hoses arent reinforced is pump the lower hose to help work the air pockets out of the block and through the lines.



by the way, IROC444 are you Air Force or just live by a AFB. Im currently at Sheppard here in Wichita Falls, TX

 

I'll have to wait for that drive since I gotta fix my hatch first. Yea, I'm actually at Tinker, been in the AF for about 7 years now.

 

you dont have to wait, just let it idle up to running temp. shouldnt take to long. any way i think i had a similar problem. I changed the temperature sending unit, and after i noticed that my overflow reservoir was pretty low and for a while it got lower and lower every day. now i just filled the resvoir up to cold full and have driven it a few times, it has stayed pretty consistant. just air i think.

 

After you've added coolant to proper levels, driven it, let it cool, re-filled and checked the coolant recovery tank, ... bring the engine to normal operational temp. Take the cap off of the coolant recovery tank while it's running. Check both the upper and lower radiator hoses to make sure their both hot. Check, look, do you see any air bubbles entering into the recovery tank while it's running?