>>> Katherine McElveen <mcelveen%onramp.net@internet.rkd.snds.com> 05/14/97 01:26pm >>> >I've noticed that my coolant refill bottle seems to run dry, in the space of >about a week. The engine was recently fixed for a colant leak and the heads >rebuilt. > >1.) Is loss from the refill tank normal? >2.) Where do I check for leaks? I have the same problem. As far as I know, all coolant leaks were fixed and I STILL have a regularly dry overflow bottle. I'll be looking for suggestions, too.
********************************************************************* If the system has just been rebuilt, and there are no discernable leaks, my guess is that there may be some residual air in the cooling system. I not sure how you bleed the system properly -- it would seem the radiator way up front makes a good air trap if it were to have been drained. In any event, I would guess the air is slowly being purged from the system as you drive -- being replace by coolant from the resevoir. So keep an eye on the level and refill as necessary, and I would think the rate of "loss" will diminish over time. It may take awhile, higher fluid velocities = higher speed driving with front and rear heater valves open will speed the process. And if that isn't it, I had this problem: to the left of the resevoir is a plastic expansion tank with a sensor in a recess on the top. In my situation, the O-ring on the sensor deteriorated and allowed fluid to puddle in the recess. Sometimes it stayed in the recess, sometimes it overflowed into the engine compartment, but always on to a sheet metal shelf so you'd never see it on the ground. In either case, it would evaporate over time so I'd never find any wet spots. I eventually found it by looking at the system ( engine compartment open) with the engine hot and running - under pressure you could see the fluid being forced out. A new O-ring was a simple fix. Good luck, Duane Webjamn@snds.com
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