Well except for the fact that it could be a leak...would there be another reason why my car has been guzzling coolant. I mean I filled it and after approx 15 miles total it's almost empty. I'm not experienced at all but I don't really see a leak or smell one. Could be wrong. Just wanted to know if there would be another reason besides a leak. I've refilled twice now after I saw it really low last week.

4/13/2008 6:56:25 PM

Check to see if your oil has a milk shake look to it.

Also

Year,Make,Model?

4/13/2008 7:00:20 PM

are you overheating? is it pouring white smoke out the exhaust when running the car? park the car somewhere and check for coolant leaking/gushing out the bottom.

4/13/2008 7:30:48 PM

i will check the oil and update...it's a 98 nissan altima. it hasn't overheated to the point where there was smoke but i did see my thermostat go almost to H. i don't really see any coolant gushing out.

4/13/2008 8:21:25 PM

head gasket

4/13/2008 8:54:19 PM

put some metallic liquid glass in it. just make sure you follow the directions exactly.

4/13/2008 9:09:24 PM

just start taking it to these, u should be good if it's drinkin' too much

4/13/2008 10:40:36 PM

checked the oil and it looks fine albeit I will need an oil change soon. Filled it up this morning and went to work which is 15 miles away. Only have half a tank now.

4/14/2008 11:01:50 AM

do you smell it? you're gonna have to jack the car up and take a look underneath.

yeah, easiest thing would to just pour some radiator sealant in there. might as well while the rad. is shot. it may help. it may not.

ive had luck with it.

4/14/2008 11:03:34 AM

probably head gasket if no external leak, can you see bubbles in the radiator if you take the cap off when its cold and running?

4/14/2008 11:05:27 AM

i really don't smell it. i hope it's not my radiator that is the problem. just got it replaced by 69 last August.

^ when i was looking at it last night i saw bubbles trying to get up to the hose from the resevoir. i haven't opened the radiator cap though.

[Edited on April 14, 2008 at 11:14 AM. Reason : ....]

4/14/2008 11:10:54 AM

69 is a homosexual, thats why its broken

4/14/2008 11:15:33 AM

damn well i was doing some reading and all signs seem to point blown head gasket. argh. anyone want to take this on? i will probably get it confirmed by a shop and then see if anyone here at tww could do the job.

4/14/2008 11:35:51 AM

^^ yo mama is a homo

its possible thats why the radiator was cracked last time, it was checked but didnt seem to have a blown head gasket, just figured it got low on coolant and overheated, its a guarantee that it will destroy the new radiator driving it around with a blown head gasket

its also possible that it overheated and cracked the old radiator, and the head gasket started to go when it overheated by driving it around with a cracked radiator

either way, pm sent

[Edited on April 14, 2008 at 11:42 AM. Reason : ]

4/14/2008 11:38:16 AM

you also might want to check the lower radiator house. if it wasnt replaced when the radiator was.
might have a small puncture from road debris or was cut from hose clamp.

4/14/2008 3:04:46 PM

If it's leaking that much you'd know. There would be a pool of coolant under your car or the engine bay would be hosed down with coolant. If it was a busted radiator you'd be able to open the hood and see it spraying when pressurized. It'd be different if it was leaking that much on a monthly basis or something, but if it's losing that much in 15 minutes it should be obvious whether it's leaking somewhere. My vote is for head gasket.


[Edited on April 14, 2008 at 3:11 PM. Reason : l]

4/14/2008 3:08:32 PM

the KA24 is notorious for trapping air in it and giving people cooling problems. I would pressure test the system and look for leaks first. If it's drinking all of the coolant in 15 miles you either have a leak or a bad h/g. let the car cool down and then run it without the rad cap on. If it bubbles a lot from the rad cap after it has been bled it's a good chance it's the h/g.

4/14/2008 5:40:06 PM

Quote :

"i haven't opened the radiator cap though"

I cant help but think you're looking at the plastic jug, seeing it's half full, and thinking that half your coolant is gone. How much are you pouring into the system to refill it?

even if it WAS the headgasket, you'd be gushing coolant from where it mates to the block. The block would be wet and there'd be a huge green puddle under your car

[Edited on April 14, 2008 at 6:16 PM. Reason : since your oil is fine and there's no smoke out the tailpipe]

4/14/2008 6:14:36 PM

i hope he isn't that stupid

but it appears to be a strong possibility

4/14/2008 6:23:33 PM

yeah my civic has a drinking coolant problem also. Luckily i know its getting low bc my A/C will start cutting off while idling. So i'll fill it up and everything will be fine for a few months.

4/15/2008 1:15:40 PM

^

Quote :

"surely you can't be serious"

4/15/2008 7:43:35 PM

Quote :

"you also might want to check the lower radiator house."

lol?

4/15/2008 7:46:51 PM

this motherfucker just cannot read, we've already established that its not an external leak

4/15/2008 8:20:51 PM