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Disappearing Coolant

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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 03:48 PM
  #1  
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Cool Disappearing Coolant

I noticed that my reservoir tank was empty the other day. Well, I filled it a little over the mark. A couple days later the thing is bone dry again! I guess I'm looking at a leak somewhere? Any idea where it could be? The truck runs very smooth...no smoke, temp gauge shows Around the 'N' in normal. Thanks.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 03:54 PM
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My crewcab did this for a year before I figured it out. The hose that connects the resevior to the radiator, had a split in it. When the radiator would draw fluid from the tank, the split would get "sucked closed" and not leak, and fluid would go from the tank to the radiator. Then when the fluid would go the other way, some of it would go into the resevior, some of it would open and exit the split.

Maybe not your issue, but it got me good for a year!
 
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 03:58 PM
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Hmm that sounds reasonable. I mean, if the leak was on any other hose, the darn truck would run out of coolant and then overheat. I'll go check it out.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 04:06 PM
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I've been meaning to fix mine, i know it comes from the hose right under the overflow, cuz every time i see it theres nice wet mark right down the wheelwell.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 06:46 PM
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that normal for the temp gauge reading though.... my truck reads in the same spot. is it ok?
 
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 06:53 PM
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I think anywhere in the NORM area is good, mine was always at N before my gauges went south on me...
 

Last edited by MustangGT221; Aug 26, 2005 at 07:39 PM. Reason: Language filter tripped - plz edit profanity and abide by guidelines :)
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 07:38 PM
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My truck used to do that, but I never figured out what it was. When I put the 393 in the problem went away, so I guess all is good
 
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Old Aug 27, 2005 | 12:20 AM
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hahah, wish I had a 393 to make my problem go away .

Well, I'll check it tomorrow. Working late sucks, booo
 
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Old Aug 27, 2005 | 12:18 PM
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I have a larger radiator and electric fan... my temp never really gets up to norm.. stays right below the N>.. is that ok? I had the same problem with leaky coolant line as well.. My reseviour line wasnt split but it was loose where it connected to the overflow reserviour... I zip tied it in place and now I dont lose coolant.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2005 | 12:26 PM
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A larger radiator won't over cool the engine if the thermostat is working correctly. Think of it as your house thermostat, your heater could heat the house up a lot hotter than 68-70 degrees if you left it on, but the t-stat keeps turning the heat on/off to keep that temp. The t-stat in your truck works the same way. Do you have the electric fan setup right so it comes on when necessary? That should be t-stated too, it shouldn't be on full blast all the time.

Also, it could be working just fine and the gauge is reading low. Air bubbles in the coolant system will cause the gauge to read low.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2005 | 12:53 PM
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If your reservoir tank keeps goin dry but your rad is always full, I'd look at that hose. Thats the only thing that makes sense really. My truck has a slow leak of antifreeze (I think its just a frost plug) but the temp always reads around 185-190. I'll fill the reservoir up to the cold fill and about 3 weeks later she'll be empty. 4 weeks later the radiator will be just a little low, just under the spout where you fill er up. Not too worried about it though
 
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