Coolant game streaming out

[MacGrad]

I'm having the same coolant leak issues, and they are occurring on a "frequently infrequent" basis -- the car won't leak for a few days, and then it will drain itself of the coolant from a spot near the right rear tire. When it's leaking, you can see the drip trail on the ground when the car has been moving.

Since I'm not having any issues with moisture in the trunk, I would assume (from what I've read) that it's not a leaky tank. Would a problem with the expansion valve cause this type of behavior and, if so, is this an easy fix?

(My mechanic couldn't isolate the issue, and wants to replace the coolant reservoir. I'd prefer not to, especially if this isn't the root cause of the problem.)

[Heiko]

I'm only commenting on your note below as I'm not sure why your mechanic wants to change out the coolant reservoir.... If the reservoir itself isn't leaking or has any cracks then there is no point in replacing it... I haven't seen many of the valves fail and they do come as part of the tank assembly when you order a new tank. If any air gets into the system (ie the cap isn't working right) then with less pressure the boiling point of your coolant will drop (meaning the coolant will boil faster)... you may even have some bubbles in the system in result of this..... I would say open the valve and purge the system, fill it to capacity, put a new cap on the reservoir and you should be fine...
H

Originally Posted by MacGrad

I'm having the same coolant leak issues, and they are occurring on a "frequently infrequent" basis -- the car won't leak for a few days, and then it will drain itself of the coolant from a spot near the right rear tire. When it's leaking, you can see the drip trail on the ground when the car has been moving.

Since I'm not having any issues with moisture in the trunk, I would assume (from what I've read) that it's not a leaky tank. Would a problem with the expansion valve cause this type of behavior and, if so, is this an easy fix?

(My mechanic couldn't isolate the issue, and wants to replace the coolant reservoir. I'd prefer not to, especially if this isn't the root cause of the problem.)

[jb92563]

When you loose coolant do you top it up after?

Be careful to only fill the tank to the correct line marked on the tank.

I mention that because if you overfill the tank it will always barf out the surplus while you are slowed and typically parking the car.

I only had this problem once when I decided that the coolant level needed to be near the top line and the car was on a bit of an incline so on level ground it promptly barfed the rest out after a drive while parking.

There was no issue, just too much liquid and not enough expansion room in the bottle due to my overfilling it.

[MacGrad]

I'm topping it up, but only to a point above the minimum level - since it's not a constant leak, and I can't figure out a pattern to it, I figured there's no sense wasting coolant by filling to the max line.

Yesterday was a great example: coolant leak in effect, and needed to refill. Added coolant mix to a 1/3 between min and max markings on the tank. Leak continued, and could see a drip trail on the road/driveway when I went to visit my dad.

Drove home and parked in the lot; checked a couple hours later, and no coolant puddle; nothing this morning, either and coolant level seems to be holding.

It's gotten to a point where I keep a spare jug of coolant in the trunk because I can't tell if/when I'll need it.

[jb92563]

It seems like there might be an airpocket still.

I would drive a few more days with the burp valve lever UP to let out more air.

I just noticed your from Hamilton, ON. and a McMaster U grad?

I went to Mohawk college in the 80s for civil engineering tech, but recareered in the 90's in Computer Science at Ryerson U. and U of T.

The followed the work to CA, USA in 2000.

Small World!