Losing coolant
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10-23-2008, 03:26
Post: #1
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Losing coolant
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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10-23-2008, 05:02
Post: #2
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Losing coolant
Since I got my radiator re-cored (I won't count the coolant loss
before the radiator was working properly), I've had long periods where the coolant seems to be in the glass each time I check -- and I check each time I'm getting ready to leave a location. Other times, I've found the coolant level below the glass -- and I've needed to put in a few ounces to as much as a half-gallon. I can't explain why theses periods of "usage" occur when compared to times when the coolant level is stable. My only suggestions: make sure the cap is on correctly. I find that my coolant cap is difficult to turn to "the last click" and I may have left it slightly loose. Also be sure that the cap is holding the (rather low) pressure. Over time, the spring-valve in the cap can weaken. If I recall correctly the cap is 7 psi rated -- so check to see that you have the correct cap. Beyond that, if there are no symptoms of leakage or other ways that coolant is being lost, it may just be one of those mysteries ... Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 aeonix1@... On the road at Edinburg, VA On Oct 23, 2008, at 11:26 AM, 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 > |
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10-23-2008, 05:14
Post: #3
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Losing coolant
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10-23-2008, 05:29
Post: #4
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Losing coolant
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:
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10-23-2008, 06:09
Post: #5
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Losing coolant
Don, to get peace of minde it would help to do an oil anlalsis on
what is in the oil pan now. once again I am not for oil analysis and what would you do if it showed glycol in the pan anyway? if you wash the puke tank and wrap the rad cap with toil paper prior to a run, you would get an idea if it is puking and then there is a pressure issue???? I had a hose leak on a truck that would only piss when it got to 175 dertrr and it would hit the exhaust so the only sign I had was the sweet smell of glycol. check up around the starter for signs of the compressor lines or such. I hope it is no issue and only the $23,000 fear we all have. Greg94ptCa --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner" > > 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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10-23-2008, 06:38
Post: #6
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Losing coolant
I've had 2 instances where I've mysteriously lost a quart or so of coolant, both times the loss was traced to a leaky hose via a loose hose clamp. I tightened the clamp a bit (don't overtighten) and the coolant level has been rock steady. If you find yourself having to add coolant, then you have a leak. If you've done coolant system work in the very recent past, then there could be a pocket of air that's being worked out. I've just finished a 7000 mile trip with zero coolant consumption. The 7 psi cap raises the boiling point by 21 deg F (3 deg per 1 psi I believe). If you have a leak then the system won't reach spec pressure and you'll boil at a correspondingly lower temperature. As part of our yearly maintenance we should all rent/buy a radiator pressure tester and do a leak down on the cooling system. You may be surprised what you find. David Brady '02 LXi, NC David Brady wrote:
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10-23-2008, 07:17
Post: #7
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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 >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. >> Checked by AVG. >> Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: >10/9/2008 12:00 AM >> |
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10-23-2008, 07:26
Post: #8
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Losing coolant
Don, You could get a gallon container and some how wire it so that it would collect anything from the overflow tube to see if it coming from there Jim Riordan 88 WBWL XXV Stuart, Fl Don Bradner
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10-23-2008, 09:00
Post: #9
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Losing coolant
That first gallon of coolant was very likely air in the system being
cleared out. It's been a couple of years, but I recall needing to top off my coolant a several of times during the first 500 miles of travel after my radiator was rebuilt. I suspect that smaller 'shortages' of coolant that I've experienced from time to time (and seemingly randomly) were due to limited 'spitting' out the overflow for reasons that may never be known. (Perhaps a few ounces spit out due to a warmer engine than usual -- but so little that it evaporated without clear evidence left behind? I note that I get a similar occurrence with my auto from time to time.) If I were experiencing shortages after every trip ... then I'd tend to suspect a loose hose clamp or minor leak somewhere in the system. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 aeonix1@... On the road at On Oct 23, 2008, at 3:17 PM, Don Bradner wrote: > 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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10-23-2008, 12:32
Post: #10
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Losing coolant
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.
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