coolant runs out too fast

[ryuji16]

ive been needing to refill my coolant reservoir almost every week, it goes down to almost empty really quick. i tried replacing one of the radiator caps (the one on the end of the hose, not on the radiator), but that didnt really work. what the hell? any ideas?

there are no visible leaks. i cant figure out whats going on.

how do i remove the reservoir... i need to clean out the inside, its dirty.

last ?: how much should a radiator flush cost at jiffy lube or something? im too lazy to do it myself again.

[SmokingTires]

Well, you could have a loose bearing in the water pump/leaking water pump. They leak very suddly when run. And not at all when off. Your hoses could also be giving way, or hose connections aren't tight.

Does your exhaust come out clear, or colored? You could have a crack in your block that is leaking in coolant. There's always the chance of a hole in your radiator.

There are any number of things. Need more specific information.

[ryuji16]

no visible smoke from exhaust
water pump replaced about a year ago
radiator also replaced about 1.5 years ago (w/lexus radiator)
hoses twist and move around with ease... maybe a new set of clamps is needed?
ummm.... what else... the coolant in the reservoir is cloudy and looks dirty...

im lost

[Ratko]

Could be a hole rotted in the coolant reservoir (happened to me!), or it could be a bad water pump like said before.

If it takes about 6-7 days before a refill is needed, its most likely the water pump.

Get it inspected by a mechanic.

[ryuji16]

Originally posted by Ratko

Get it inspected by a mechanic.

doh... one mech (whom i trust) said that it is normal. now where do i go.

and so the process begins... again.

[88 LE]

You can also pressure test the cooling system.

Buy/rent/borrow a cooling system pressure tester.

It screws on in place of the radiator cap and you pump it (like a bicycle tire pump) to pressurize the cooling system. It also has a guage on it, so if the reading goes down after awhile, you have a leak.

[ryuji16]

^ cool where can i borrow one of those, maybe autozone or a local auto parts shop? do i use that with an empty cooling system or can the radiator be full?

[88 LE]

Originally posted by ryuji16
^ cool where can i borrow one of those, maybe autozone or a local auto parts shop?

Autozone should have it.

do i use that with an empty cooling system or can the radiator be full?

You want the radiator to be filled.

[ryuji16]

damn autozone wants to rent it out for 40 bucks. is there a place that will lend it out for free?

[88 LE]

^ The $40 is a deposit.

You'll get your $40 back when you return the tool.

[ryuji16]

aw damn i thought so... ok man thanks a lot

[92CAMRYGTS]

try this. disconnect the hoses to the reservior cap. trun the cap 180 degrees. then connect the hoses again. see if this helps. if not then look for other problems. when i painted all my caps i had put my res cap on backwards. the thing was leaking out very fast and i thought the bottle had a whole. then one day i took the cap and and looked close at it and the lines were mixed up. i connected it the right way and poof prblem gone. just try it out, might be as simple as that.

[ryuji16]

sounds like a plan... ill try that out tomorrow. i dont wanna go outside tonight anymore, ive already got bit by mosquitoes thrice today while changing my gf's oil. thx

[SmokingTires]

When pressure testing the system, pump it up to the given amount, and then leave it for at least 10 min. Any amount of time shorter won't give accurate results.

New hose clamps would be a good idea either way. Just to be on the safe side.

Drain your system first.
Then spray some Knocker-Loose on the inside of the hoses. That will break them loose for movement. Try and push them as close to the radiator (etc.) as you can for best hold.
Tighten the clamps till they won't tighten anymore. Don't worry about breaking them, you won't.

Whatever you do, DON'T tighten them with a screwdriver. That won't get them even near what they need to be at. Use a socket wrech to tighten them properly.

Hope it works out,
Mike

[ryuji16]

i dont think ill need knocker-loose... the hoses move around freely already

right now the clamps are pincher clamps... i suppose the screw clamps are better.

when i pop out the hoses will there be coolant spewing all over