Losing water?

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Apr 20, 2008 | 01:39 PM

glr0212

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Losing water?

I know I shouldn't be losing water from my cooling system but does anyone have an explanation as to why I would go through a gallon of water in a little over a month? I don't see any leakage. The car seems to run ok but i have had to refill the radiator twice in the last couple of months.

Could the water pump be leaking when its running? Anyone had a similar problem? Any way to test to see if water IS getting into the engine?

Apr 20, 2008 | 01:43 PM

380SS

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One way to test if water is getting into you engine. Smell you exhaust while it's running. If it smells sweet, you have a bad head gasket. Also, feel the area on the passenger floor board. If your heater core went bad, it will leak around there.

Apr 20, 2008 | 08:56 PM

darom

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Drain your oil and examine its condition: is it milky looking, what is its color?

Apr 21, 2008 | 05:50 PM

glr0212

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It looks like dirty oil, not milky at all just straight black.

Exhaust just smells like fuel and a little bit of oil on start up (blue smoke) No smoke once its been running 30 seconds.

Apr 21, 2008 | 07:04 PM

DaddySS

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From: Bergen County, NJ

Coolant leaking from the water pump will often evaporate so you don't see the leak. Have it pressure tested.

Apr 21, 2008 | 07:49 PM

Lt1Porsche

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From: Midlothian, Virginia

You need to pressure test the system. Also your water pump could be leaking on and off. But chances are you will find the leak with the pressure test.