Cooling Discuss all of the aspects of cooling that you can think of! Radiators, transmissions, electric fans, etc.

empty coolant tank ?

Old Sep 9, 2016 | 04:54 AM
  #1  
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empty coolant tank ?

HI went out in car ran fine did not get hot etc had to go for a long trip checked fluids cooant tank woz empty toped up ran engine got it up to temp no leaks ! any body had this hapen ?
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 06:30 AM
  #2  
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From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: empty coolant tank ?

I don't put any in mine so they are always empty.

Was yours empty b4 the drive or did u only check it after the drive?
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 08:29 AM
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

it woz on the line as always has been .got back and there it wos gone .filled it up and its still there .it duz not appear to be leaking . oil clean tail pipes dry could it have been an air lock .car always ran at same temp ?
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 11:02 AM
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From: Colorado Springs
Car: 91 firebird Formula 350
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: N/A, working on a t5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: empty coolant tank ?

This happens to me all the time. I'll check the radiator, it'll be completely full, but the overflow periodically emptys itself. I've replaced it and the hose going to it, hasn't changed anything. Dunno what's causing it, but it's never been an issue and it doesn't leak anywhere I can find so I never worry about it
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 11:29 AM
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

Thanks good to know.still got me puzzeled as to wher the water has gone .ill keep an eye on it !
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 11:38 AM
  #6  
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From: Colorado Springs
Car: 91 firebird Formula 350
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: N/A, working on a t5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: empty coolant tank ?

If you find what's going on, let me know, never been an issue but I'd still like to know lol. I kind of just assumed it evaporates or something since the tank isnt sealed.
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 11:55 AM
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

It does not evaporate , the KGB nor little green men come and steal it , if your slowly loosing coolant there are only two places it could be going ;

It's either leaking somewhere out of the engine and burning off slowly enough on a hot manifold somewhere for you not to see it happening (or out of the heater core and is being absorbed by what's under the carpet) , or it's burning it in the cylinders , also at slow enough of a rate to not be smellable at the tailpipe . Believe me , it takes till your burning a pretty good amount till you can smell the distinctive antifreeze burning smell from the tailpipe , I had a 305 that took till it was burning a quart of antifreeze every 50 to 75 miles before it could be smelled at the tailpipe .

If your really curious as to where it's going , a cooling system pressure test is all that's required . Do it in a really quiet garage and oftentimes you can pinpoint the leak by listening for a slight hiss or gurgle sound .

PS , for reference , my car which passes the coolant system pressure check by showing no pressure drop during the test , hasn't lost a drop of coolant in the past 4 years ........

Last edited by OrangeBird; Sep 9, 2016 at 12:02 PM.
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 12:37 PM
  #8  
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Car: 91 firebird Formula 350
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: N/A, working on a t5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: empty coolant tank ?

My second guess after evaporation was totally gonna be the KGB. everyone knows those commies hate our 'murican muscle cars xD.
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Old Sep 10, 2016 | 03:00 AM
  #9  
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

im guessing the car is burning the water checked the carpets all dry .
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Old Sep 10, 2016 | 07:51 AM
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Car: 84 Z-28
Engine: 305 HO
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

My eyes hurt....................
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Old Sep 10, 2016 | 02:48 PM
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Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: empty coolant tank ?

My old Legend had a coolant leak at the rear head gasket that would weep off and on. The only evidence that I was losing coolant was the low coolant warning would go off every 3 or 4 months (that's how slow it was). No wet spots on the ground.

SOP for coolant changes in the Legend now include mixing in half a tube of Aluma-Seal in with the coolant before pouring it in. I just don't feel like pulling heads on a 442k mile engine.

Pressure test or jack up your car and do a visual. I'm sure you'll see evidence of lost coolant someplace.

Edit: May or may not be relevant:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...-bulletin.html

See post #7.

Last edited by paulo57509; Sep 10, 2016 at 03:23 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2016 | 04:39 PM
  #12  
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

good find how did you find a 30 year old document like that ? mines an 88 .guess the waranty has ran out !
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Old Nov 18, 2016 | 10:55 AM
  #13  
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Re: empty coolant tank ?

found the problem ! since last posting hear car has been using water hear and thear no real reason for it .then the weather changed ! got quite cold .alfter 2 hours runing it wos not warm ! no stat put one in instant over heat ! head is craked crack full of sum block it up and drive on muck that u put in the water .so bye bye 305 hello 350 .
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