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Losing Coolant

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Old 05-01-2005, 02:12 AM
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Default Losing Coolant

Well finally started on my head swap. And hoped to find an blown head gasket, but they seemed to be fine.

Any other reason I am losing coolant? The car runs fine.
Old 05-01-2005, 09:58 AM
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(shaggy)Zoiks !(/shaggy)

It's normal for some air to work its way out and require topping off at the radiator, the block/heads has to work a lot of air pockets out when the heads come off. How much coolant is missing ?

Any white smoke out the exhaust once warmed up ? No coolant in the oil, right ?

There are pretty much only a few places it can be going - burned in the chamber/out the exhaust, into the oil, or out onto the ground/into the air. No leaky hoses, right ?

I hate to even mention it as a possibility but I sure hope your new heads aren't the culprit... I sure hope not !!

Rob (Bad30th)
Old 05-01-2005, 11:44 AM
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The losing of coolant has been happening for a while now. I hoped when I was doing the head swap I would see a blown head gasket. Nope. Or at least I couldn't tell.

No coolant in the oil. And could never find a leak. I assume a cracked block or head would make the car run real bad. But it didn't.
Old 05-02-2005, 10:58 AM
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anyone?
Old 05-02-2005, 10:59 AM
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what gasket were you using?
Old 05-02-2005, 11:00 AM
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Do you see coolant splattered around the engine compartment after a run?
Originally Posted by Ed Blown Vert
anyone?
Old 05-02-2005, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bickelfirebird
Do you see coolant splattered around the engine compartment after a run?
I never noticed any. But I do remember droplets of liquid on the hood and windshield once in a while.

The gaskets were I think felpro, this time I am using stock GM
Old 05-02-2005, 11:00 PM
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the gaskets were felpro's and they looked fine. we didnt inspect the heads for cracks, but we can im sure. Hope we can get it fixed though
Old 05-02-2005, 11:10 PM
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may be lifting the heads, im having the same issues except i am spewing some coolant. look at my thread in the FI section it may answer some of your questions


https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/314651-lifting-heads.html
Old 05-02-2005, 11:29 PM
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Thanks! That was my other thought, lifting the heads and one guy said it could be
heads have loosened at the back of the engine closest to the firewall.
Which is what I found on the driver-side head. The last bolt was loose. Maybe with the studs, I will be fine.
Old 05-02-2005, 11:30 PM
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the passanger side was a bit loose too
Old 05-02-2005, 11:50 PM
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I hope that was the problem all along.
Old 05-08-2005, 10:07 PM
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Well the new heads are on with studs and I am still loosing coolant. check it this morning and it was a bit low. :dunno:
Old 05-08-2005, 10:13 PM
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Sound like its coming from were my missing left socks are
But really I hate crap like that, knowing something isnt right but cannot find whats going on for nuthin
Old 05-08-2005, 10:15 PM
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we looked at the block and couldnt see any leaks after we took the heads off and replaced them with a new set. You sure you werent just low to begin with Ed? We didnt put anymore in there after we got the air out of the system did we?
Old 05-08-2005, 10:31 PM
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I did 3 times already. It wasn't that low. But then I have not driven it that much. Probably about 1/2 cup each time.
Old 05-08-2005, 10:35 PM
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not good. well i guess other than a crack in the block, what else could it be??? I mean, the waterpump gaskets are new and torqued down to the right lb ft. Unless some how some way we didnt clean the bolt holes good enough and the heads are lifting, but i really doubt thats what happened. If it was the head gasket, wouldnt it be mixing with the oil? The coolant lines are tight and not leaking either. Are the back plugs on good and proper?
Old 05-08-2005, 11:19 PM
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Are there any indications of coolant in the the oil? Is it possible that a small hose leak is evaporating the coolant before it drips onto the ground? Is the engine overheating or at least running warmer than normal?

Richard
Old 05-08-2005, 11:41 PM
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No coolant in the oil. And yes the engine is running alot hotter than before. Normally around 180-190. Now 200-210.
Old 05-09-2005, 12:10 AM
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Can you access a cooling system pressure tester? If so, remove all the spark plugs and pressurize the system. Wait 15 to 20 minutes and then spin the engine to see if any coolant is pumped out of any spark plug holes. Disconnect and plug the fuel system so raw fuel doesn't get pumped into the cylinders. I realize it's a bit of a pain to do this, but it will help isolate which cylinder is the cause of the problem.

Richard



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