Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Losing coolant no signs of pushing???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 09:56 AM
  #1  
zapp109's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default Losing coolant no signs of pushing???

I have a 93 mustang with 408 lq4 block and 317 heads with a valve job. Ls9 head gaskets. All arp bolts and studs. New 3 core radiator with 16 psi cap I believe that's what comes on mustangs. Trick flow steam tube kit on all 4 corners going to upper radiator hose. Turbo is s480r. Car has about 300 miles on it now. Car made 825 hp at 18 psi through unlocked 4l80e. On the dyno we never had any signs such as coolant smell or haze out of the exhaust. And I've never noticed any thing cruising around. However I keep having to add coolant.

Example is on dyno day it was running a little warm and I haven't checked it in weeks. It was like 6 inches low in the radiator. So topped it off, been driving a bit more and had to add to it 2 more times. About 3 inches low yesterday after driving 60 miles. And doing 2 pulls at 10 psi.

I've checked oil and spark plugs no signs of coolant. I'm thinking next maybe pull off my manifolds and see if I see any signs off coolant. Anyone have any thoughts?
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 10:03 AM
  #2  
Ryans99ls1's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 271
From: OH & MI
Default

Unless there is a leak in the system you dont know about, its drinking coolant. If it wouldnt have been for my old *** cap, i wouldnt have known mine was until the coolant light came on. Turns out i was lifting the driver side head. Never had a problem on the dyno but as soon as i hit the highway it would lift.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 10:49 AM
  #3  
The Alchemist's Avatar
UNDER PRESSURE MOD
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
Default

Isn't there a dye you can put in the coolant then use a UV light to check for leaks? With that much leaking, I would suspect a system leak vs. a lifted head, but you never know till you check.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 11:02 AM
  #4  
zapp109's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default

Forgot to mention I also had a buddy do a hydro carbon test and it was good. So I'm sorta running out of ideas. That's why I wanted some other opinions.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 12:23 PM
  #5  
Sarg's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

Been dealing with this same crap. I did spot a tiny area by the radiator drain, but it does not seem it would leak out that much from there. Not even a visible puddle. Thinking of pulling manifolds on mine too but I would think with that much it would show as steam in the exhaust.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 01:01 PM
  #6  
zapp109's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Sarg
Been dealing with this same crap. I did spot a tiny area by the radiator drain, but it does not seem it would leak out that much from there. Not even a visible puddle. Thinking of pulling manifolds on mine too but I would think with that much it would show as steam in the exhaust.
Damn sarg you losing as much as me? Yea I have absolutely no puddles or drips of any kind. No smell or steam from exhaust.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 01:07 PM
  #7  
Forcefed86's Avatar
8 Second Club
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,486
Likes: 1,032
From: Wichita, KS
Default

Do a pressure test on the cooling system.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 01:15 PM
  #8  
Sarg's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

Zapp, not that much, but after sitting for 2 weeks it was down like 2" in the rad. I have yet to pressure test.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 01:53 PM
  #9  
zapp109's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default

Yea pressure test is next. I don't lose any sitting or anything I've noticed anyway.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 02:08 PM
  #10  
SmartOJ's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (44)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Default

loosing coolant here as well. constantly having to add but I dont have any visible leaks. i lightly copper coated my ls9 headgaskets and torqued them down once the the spray was tacky...wondering if i should have installed the heads dry...smh...
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 02:31 PM
  #11  
The Alchemist's Avatar
UNDER PRESSURE MOD
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
Default

There was a guy on here who put a gopro in his engine bay and found a huge leak when he hit a certain psi of boost. I think it was near his radiator overflow. Normal driving it didn't leak, but when he hit full boost it was like a gusher.

So you could always toss a camera in there and see if you see anything.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 03:20 PM
  #12  
SM105K's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Default

At least it didnt lift the head and shoot the freeze plug out of the head........
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 03:21 PM
  #13  
yenkomike's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 182
From: oxford mi
Default

if you dont have a good working overflow tank it is going to go down and stay it needs to be able to push out coolant when its getting hot then as it cools it needs to be able to suck the coolant back it from the overflow . or else it will stay down 3-4 inches.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 04:42 PM
  #14  
Ron_Stoppable's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 725
Likes: 41
Default

Is the level in the overflow increasing. I was damn near about to pull my 5.3 out of my s10 because i kept losing coolant and i forsure thought it was something serious. I had replaced my rrservoir with a smaller one from summit and it would push while running. Got rid of that ****** and went back to my stock overflow and i havent had a problem. Collant has stayed the same level in the radiator and overflow for 2 weeks now. Id do a leakdown test personally if the cap isnt bad
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 05:05 PM
  #15  
zapp109's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default

Yes I've thought of the overflow but I guess never really understand how it should work. So here is what I got. It's a sorta cheap summit brand with a valve at the bottom to empty it. Never had more than 2 drops come out.

Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 11:37 PM
  #16  
Blown06's Avatar
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by The Alchemist
There was a guy on here who put a gopro in his engine bay and found a huge leak when he hit a certain psi of boost. I think it was near his radiator overflow. Normal driving it didn't leak, but when he hit full boost it was like a gusher.

So you could always toss a camera in there and see if you see anything.
That would be me

Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 11:55 PM
  #17  
Wicked69's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
Default

I bet that can is the issue. How does it vent? Also are you absolutely sure that you had it full to begin with. When we first got mine running I filled it and same ****. Finally realized that it just hadn't been completely full yet. If I was to bet pull that over flow tank off and just let the hose hang (no overflow) drive around a few days and see if the problem still exists. I bet it won't
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2014 | 01:57 AM
  #18  
Ron_Stoppable's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 725
Likes: 41
Default

Dude thats the same reservoir i had. Take that bullshit of your car lol. Something about those reservoirs are flawed because i havent had a problem since i removed it. For one the grommett on top always had air escaping out of it which prevented vacuum from building to pull the coolant back in.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2014 | 06:03 AM
  #19  
yenkomike's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 182
From: oxford mi
Default

if that tank does not have a tube in it you need to turn it upside down so the hose can pull coolant back in.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2014 | 06:04 AM
  #20  
zapp109's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Ron_Stoppable
Dude thats the same reservoir i had. Take that bullshit of your car lol. Something about those reservoirs are flawed because i havent had a problem since i removed it. For one the grommett on top always had air escaping out of it which prevented vacuum from building to pull the coolant back in.
Okay I'll give that a shot and unhook it. I've noticed hearing sir leaking from the top grommet as well. What are you running now that's working?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE