Since the hot weather hit, I've had to add coolant to the overflow tank a few times now. I'd say it's been roughly 3-4 pints overall. The radiator is pretty new and I don't smell any coolant, or see any leaks. I'm wondering if it's going out the tailpipe. Oil is not milky at all. Anyone having this? I'm not used to having to top off coolant in any of my previous vehicles.

 

It's going somewhere. If its the tailpipe you got problems since that means it's mixing with oil/fuel. Hopefully it's just displacing air in the system. Did you burp it, especially when the radiator was replaced???

 

I had a small leak in my heater core which showed up more drastically about 2 years ago. I would constantly lose coolant but couldn't smell anything. I used some aluminum type sealer in the radiator and never looked back. Just a thought.

 

Doesn't sound good that's for sure you may have a pin hole leak that only leaks as you drive be it a hose, Rad or other part check the drain valve maybe it lose or a hose clamp is lose happened to me before.

 

Yes, I replaced the radiator in 2013 and the main radiator hoses were replaced just before I bought it. The temp needle stays at just below halfway point. I might just pressurize it and spend some time under it looking for leaks, maybe checking under the carpet too... but again... zero smell.

 

Don't rule out a bad raditator cap too if it isn't sealing right.

3-4 pints is enough to be a concern.

 

Yeah, that's what I'd say I've lost over the past 4 months. The first time, I pulled off the rad cap and couldn't see coolant in the neck. It took a small amount to top it off, then I topped off the overflow, which still had fluid and was slightly low. In the months that passed, I could always see the coolant when I remove the rad cap. Yesterday was the first time I had to top off the overflow again. If the cap is leaking, I assume I should see some steam when running, or some white deposits when cold. I don't.

 

Not necessarily. It depends on the size of the leak.

Remember, the cap is supposed to let coolant out and into the reserve tank when it expands and then draw it back in as it cools. How is the hose to the tank and the tank itself?

On mine, I was leaking a tiny bit at the thermostat, only when cold. When it heated up it was fine. Replacing the thermostat solved it.

 

Revisiting this coolant issue. Dan, it looks like you were right.


I borrowed a pressure test kit from a relative It's the exact one pictured above. It's good quality and almost new. It should hook up without using any adapter but the fit was quite loose when I locked it down on the filler neck.


The guy in pic, is holding the same end that I tried to use and it is the native connection. Could not build any pressure when pumping and the cap would come loose if I put any tension on the hose. Looks like the filler neck might be worn out and contributing, or is the very cause of the coolant loss. The radiator cap fit seems pretty loose on the neck, goes on easy and not tight, but I've never seen anything leaking from it. I tried the rad cap on one of the kit's adapters. It was a much more secure fit. I think I might need a new neck, at the very least.

 

I just replaced my upper hose/neck/cap after discovering it had a small leak between the hose and neck.


It was a very small leak and I just happen to find it one evening under the truck I could see a slight green coolant crust on the bottom of it.


Problem solved!