Coolant Useage

[Louis-Alain Richard]

Hi Iain,

My guess would be the intake manifold gasket. V engines are known for these
leaks, and the coolant can pool somewhere before being evaporated while
driving. Now, finding it involves patience and a MightyVac, of another
pressurizer. Hook up the thing to one of the small hoses and begin pumping.

On my another car, a Saab 9-5, (story here :
http://saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9-5/index.html?bID=115935) I had a similar slow
leak and I found it with a big piece of cardboard under the car, while the
system was pressurized to the max. Don't worry of blowing something, because
the reservoir cap is a pressure relief device. You will test is efficiency
at the same time. The clean cardboard will allow you to see where the leak
is from, more or less precisely. It can take many minutes before the coolant
will drop to the ground. A slow leak IS a slow leak...

Hope this helps a bit, and sorry list for the NAC link...:-)

Louis-Alain
1983 Quattro that had no coolant leaks, despite a blown head gasket!



-----Message d'origine-----


My 80q with 2.6 V6 motor uses a bit of coolant. I have checked for leaks and
haven't found any, the hose clips all over the engine weren't what i would
call tight and have now been tightened.

I have no signs at all of coolant mixed with oil and vice versa, no nasty
smells from the exhuast either, so where is it going?????It had a new water
pump @ 166k when the belt was done so that was only 8K ago. Thermostat is
unknown when that was replaced.

Iain