View Full Version : disappearing engine coolant
Sammer619
10-21-2007, 04:33 PM
Okay, I've put in coolant when the car is cold. I fill it to the full mark. i drive for about 30 miles and the light comes on. I pull over and see the coolant is gone. I wait until the car is cold, open the container and put more in. light goes off and I drive on. I've done this about 4 times this week. I can't see any leaks anywhere, around the container, engine bay or even on the ground. What could it be?
Well if you can't find any leaks at all, head gasket or a crack in the combustion chamber/cylinder wall that leads to a water jacket.
bugzy
10-21-2007, 05:18 PM
if there's no leaks, and your leaking, yup, you got issues
Agent Orange
10-21-2007, 05:33 PM
Also could be the oil cooler is no good and pumping coolant into your oil. Be sure to check it before driving too much cuz that WILL damage things.
Also what does your oil look like?
PhätTony
10-21-2007, 05:57 PM
when water heats up....it evaporates. *lightbulb*
In the first stages of my aux. water pump going, I did not see one bit of coolant leaking. Thats because it was gathering like a pool below the intake man.
RavinJetta
10-21-2007, 06:19 PM
when water heats up....it evaporates. *lightbulb*
In the first stages of my aux. water pump going, I did not see one bit of coolant leaking. Thats because it was gathering like a pool below the intake man.
How does water evaporate in a supposed close system tell me that?
Coolant will not evaporate, you could leave it out in 100 degree dry heat for a month and it will be there when you get back to check on it.
It is a sealed system, but most cars use a little between oil changes, either through a sticking cap that will bleed a little out, or a porous casting, but it usually leaks out of the tail pipe if you get my drift.
Carlos
10-21-2007, 09:09 PM
I'm lost, what car, engine, miles and trans?
mobbin6
10-21-2007, 09:12 PM
I'm lost, what car, engine, miles and trans?
is300, according to his profile
Sammer619
10-21-2007, 09:34 PM
I'm lost, what car, engine, miles and trans?
2000, 1.8t, jetta 106K
PhätTony
10-22-2007, 11:10 AM
Coolant will not evaporate, you could leave it out in 100 degree dry heat for a month and it will be there when you get back to check on it.
I said water, not coolant...if you were going off what I said.:D
oh and coolant aka anti-freeze 'does' evaporate.
Ethylene glycol boils at about 198c
TOYr32
10-22-2007, 11:20 AM
I would check the oil color also . . . does it look like Strawberry yogurt?
PhätTony
10-22-2007, 11:26 AM
I would check the oil color also . . . does it look like Strawberry yogurt?
Mmmm parfait:p
TOYr32
10-22-2007, 11:34 AM
Mmmm parfait:p
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j252/Tonkatoy163/SocalEuro/240x240g_pub_media_photos_angela_na.jpg
wolfsjetta01
11-01-2007, 03:19 AM
i would take a look at the coolant temp sensor housing before anything because when it leaks it will leak on the tranny than the ground. mine went out as well as the y pipe right next to the resovior. dang plastic peices become brittle with heat and time.
Sammer619
11-01-2007, 07:19 AM
thanks for all the suggestions, the car has been parked due to this disappearing coolant and with the fires I've been distracted from it. things have been getting sorted out so i'll be able to put more time into the vehicle.
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