Hilton Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 This has been super frustrating.I'm losing an alarming amount of coolant. By the time I drive from home to work, the low coolant lamp is on. I have to fill it up before driving home, and by the time I get back home, the fill lamp is lit again. This puts a damper on my afternoon activities.The damnest thing about it is that it's not dripping anywhere! The oil looks normal, when I pull the dipstick no steam comes out; same with removing the oil fill cap. The exhaust isn't particularly steamy, and smells normal. I pulled out the expansion tank and hooked up water hose up to the larger hose and capped off the hose coming from the thermostat. Pressurized the system, but couldn't find any leaks.I bypassed the heater core completely! (small loop from the outlet to the inlet.)Maybe I'm using magic water or something. I'm scared that I've either ruined the head, the block, or another head gasket. I really don't feel like working on it, but it's nice not to have a car note.Thoughts? Suggestions?I'd prefer the suggestions not to include pouring in a can of "stop leak". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookforjoe Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 If there is no evidence of an external leak, then it only makes sense that the AF is being consumed in the combustion chamber. Why it doesn't smoke, especially after sitting doesn't make much sense.The heater core is the first most obvious choice when there are no external leaks, but if you've capped the feed/return with identical symptoms, it only makes sense it's passing through the engine into the exhaust.The only other possiblity I can think of is that the trans cooler in the rad is bad, and you're loosing it into the trans - however, I've really only ever seen it go the other way, since the trans fluid is @ higher pressure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ihatespeedbumps Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Maybe I'm using magic water or something.Are you using plain ol' water or are you using 50/50 mix? If you can't find a leak check the oil and make sure it's not milky. If you are going through that much coolant it should reveal itself very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bum2kev Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 check compression then come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted November 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 The transmission cooler is a good idea. I'll check that out. For about a week I've put nothing but water in. Oil looks normal.I'll pick up my compression test tool tomorrow. It got loaned out.I haven't even pulled the plugs. I'm going to take them out and see if one of them is super clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted November 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 I found it. The block is cracked. Help me find replacement? Anyone got a white block laying around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinL Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 I was going to say... Louisiana is warm and humid and that's why you may not see any smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted November 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I bought a block from lhaitzss. It's the 2.3 liter block, which I've been told will bolt right up to the head I've got. I'm already using a TD04 15G, so that'll bring me up to stock levels of boost. I'm curious what will happen with the ecu. I was using a manual boost controler already, so I think that'll be fine too.This is going to be a fun project. I'll post pictures if there's any interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookforjoe Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I bought a block from lhaitzss. It's the 2.3 liter block, which I've been told will bolt right up to the head I've got. I'm already using a TD04 15G, so that'll bring me up to stock levels of boost. I'm curious what will happen with the ecu. I was using a manual boost controler already, so I think that'll be fine too.This is going to be a fun project. I'll post pictures if there's any interest.Of course, it's always good to see pics of projects under way.. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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