I seem to be losing antifreeze from my 1995 16V 5spd 4x4 and it's not leaking that I can see. It's not in the engine oil so where is it going ?? I'm pretty sure I know the answer!!....out the exhaust but what's the usual culprit ? Head gasket,head cracks, or something else??Recent (2 months ago) compression test 180 each cyl and the rig runs great gets around 29 mpg any thoughts or suggestions?
I also think I might be losing a bit of coolant. Haven't owned the tracker long enough to be sure how much, but...
I was hoping it might basically be evaporating through old rubber hoses, and that if I drain the system and replace all the hoses (how many are there? there's the two fat ones, but are there other rubber hoses hidden away somewhere?), that might help. Any chance of that, or is it likely a more serious problem?
Also, how toxic is antifreeze? Haynes says it's toxic stuff and you must carefully collect it all in a sturdy container and dispose of it properly, and then in the next paragraph says once most of the coolant is drained, you hook up a garden hose and flush the remaining coolant out, presumably all over the street?
I seem to be losing antifreeze from my 1995 16V 5spd 4x4 and it's not leaking that I can see. It's not in the engine oil so where is it going ?? I'm pretty sure I know the answer!!....out the exhaust but what's the usual culprit ? Head gasket,head cracks, or something else??Recent (2 months ago) compression test 180 each cyl and the rig runs great gets around 29 mpg any thoughts or suggestions?
I had a 95 with the exact same problem, it turned out that it was a very slow leak from the gasket under the waterpump. The leak was so slow that it took about a month or more before I had to add to the rad. Finally the waterpump packed up and I changed it, problem solved.
I also think I might be losing a bit of coolant. Haven't owned the tracker long enough to be sure how much, but...
I was hoping it might basically be evaporating through old rubber hoses, and that if I drain the system and replace all the hoses (how many are there? there's the two fat ones, but are there other rubber hoses hidden away somewhere?), that might help. Any chance of that, or is it likely a more serious problem?
Also, how toxic is antifreeze? Haynes says it's toxic stuff and you must carefully collect it all in a sturdy container and dispose of it properly, and then in the next paragraph says once most of the coolant is drained, you hook up a garden hose and flush the remaining coolant out, presumably all over the street?
Step one is how much coolant in how much time.
As jtgh said do a pressure check. If you do not have the tools buy them or pay some one to do it.
To identify what hoses are needed go to your favorite auto parts store and ask.
Ethelene glycol (green)will kill you if you drink it. If you get some on your hands just wipe it off. Diluting it with water makes the amount that you or your pet can drink very small. Many cars have gotten anti freeze leaks which just ran out on the road. Every accident. Not seeing a coolant makes me think you are discharging through the engine like through a cracked head.
Last edited by leeschaumberg : 03-24-2008 at 06:07 PM.
Looks like mine's down about a half-inch in the overflow bottle since I filled it to the ``cold'' line either a week and a hundred miles ago, or two weeks and two-three hundred miles. I guess I should write all these things down.
I'll get a pressure check done on it before any other drastic measures. Thanks.
Looks like mine's down about a half-inch in the overflow bottle since I filled it to the ``cold'' line either a week and a hundred miles ago, or two weeks and two-three hundred miles. I guess I should write all these things down.
I'll get a pressure check done on it before any other drastic measures. Thanks.
The leak is small. Do a pressure check for more clues. I've never seen a hose weep but I have seen a poor hose clamp. Make sure you don't let it run hot. One time is all that it takes to ruin the engine. Unlike playing horse shoes you don't get a second chance.
Last edited by leeschaumberg : 03-24-2008 at 09:06 PM.
No worries on that front: my last ride was an aircooled VW which I rebuilt the engine on after the DPO had melted a finger-nail sized chunk out of one of the pistons. I'm a little paranoid about the temperature gauges, now It's rarely even making the middle of the scale, so I think I'm safe there.
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Where oh where has my anti freeze gone!
It's rarely even making the middle of the scale, so I think I'm safe there.
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