Losing coolant

[Joyce and Richard Hayden]

Don, I would wonder why someone has put a 13 # cap on your cooling system. The standard for these engines have been 7#. I haven't heard of very many with anything above that.

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA - still in Medford, OR but on the road again tomorrow after the tranny is fixed.

----- Original Message -----

From: "bluethunder@arcatapet.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:17 PM

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Losing coolant

David, I show no sign of splash, but the rate of leak is slow enough, and the rear mudflap solid enough, that it doesn't rule out leak. At the stop where I checked the level hot I also looked underneath for any sign of loss (engine was running) and there was none. Even so, I think your idea of getting a pressurizer for testing is the best plan moving forward.

My cap is a 13-lb cap, and is secure. I agree that last click is hard - takes two hands for me.

It has been driven 6000 miles since the upper gate valves were replaced. There was about 1 gallon replaced in the first hundred miles or so. Heater has been used multiple times.

Transmission fluid level is normal/slightly low, and is clear. I would not expect either if it had 5 quarts of coolant in it.

On 10/23/2008 at 12:29 PM David Brady wrote:

>Don,
>
>Does your toad show any signs of splash? Go to Autozone and rent
>a radiator pressurizer. Pump her up to the pressure designated on your
>radiator cap, and check all the hoses/fittings for leaks. Probably just
>a loose hose clamp
>
>David Brady
>'02 LXi, NC
>
>Don Bradner wrote:
>>
>> I've never had much coolant loss (except when dealing with replacing
>> gate valves), so I tend to check rather sporadically. A couple of days
>> ago I checked and it was not visible in the sight glass. Took roughly
>> one gallon to bring it back to the top of the glass.
>>
>> This was approximately 480 miles since the last check (three separate
>> runs with several days between each).
>>
>> I checked about 40 miles later (hot) and it was full. Checked it just
>> now, cold, and it was not visible. Took a bit over a quart to bring it
>> to the top. This was about 110 miles since the previous fill.
>>
>> My oil usage appears about normal, 5 quarts on this trip over 4300
>> miles. I would expect less if it was going into the oil (unless it
>> boils off??)
>>
>> I'm parked on clean concrete, and there are no signs of any fluids
>> underneath (It's been cool enough that the air conditioner has not
>> been used, so not even condensate).
>>
>> Any thoughts on what to look at/for?
>>
>> Don Bradner
>> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
>> Posting today by satellite from Hilton Head, South Carolina
>> My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1
>>
>>
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