Help, coolant leak
#1
#2
"Three months" doesn't indicate anything, unless it's losing that much coolant when it's parked for three months. What DISTANCE are you driving in that time?
Best way to find a "phantom" leak is with a pressure test. You replace the radiator/reservoir cap with a special cap with a valve, and pump air under pressure into the system. This will cause the leak to manifest at room temperature, so it comes out as a liquid rather than steam. Being a '95, your truck might have a radiator cap rather than a reservoir cap. You should be able to borrow the tester from your FLAPS on their tool loan program.
'Course, it might be the radiator/reservoir cap itself.
Best way to find a "phantom" leak is with a pressure test. You replace the radiator/reservoir cap with a special cap with a valve, and pump air under pressure into the system. This will cause the leak to manifest at room temperature, so it comes out as a liquid rather than steam. Being a '95, your truck might have a radiator cap rather than a reservoir cap. You should be able to borrow the tester from your FLAPS on their tool loan program.
'Course, it might be the radiator/reservoir cap itself.
#4
Some of the FLAPS pressure test kits don't include a test cap for an external reservoir like ours. (Baffling, since they've been around for 20+ years; my Saturn has the exact same style cap.) You may have to fashion your own. If you happened to save your old cap, you can drill a hole in it, and install a tire valve. May need to seal with RTV. Then you can just pump it up with a hand tire pump.
#5
#6
There's always a risk that coolant will boil out when you remove the cap. But with a reservoir, you have a lot more air space above the coolant level, compared to an old-style cooling system with a radiator cap. So yeah, there's less risk. Is there at least some pressure release when you remove the cap when it's hot?
#7
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#9
What the heck?!!! Is this a joke? That guy does not have a clue! You need an SCA additive/fleet coolant. That "parts" guy needs to be flogged and sent on his way. Use Fleet Charge Coolant and Distilled water. the coolant can be purchased at Napa.
#13