[s-cars] Coolant Leak

[Tom Green]

I never thought I would be one to post that I had such a problem;   
That there was something that I could not solve if given the vehicle  
for such a lengthy period.
But, here I am.  OK, I have not just been observing the coolant loss  
and refilling the overflow tank, but the results are the same.  This  
has been going on since
last winter.  I have changed lots of parts and really thought the  
problem was solved last spring when I changed the auxiliary coolant  
pump after finding some hidden
wetness on the bottom of the outlet hose and having no coolant loss  
all summer.  But, no, I probably don't need to report that we have had  
an unseasonable cold
period hit us early in the season, and damn, there is an obvious  
coolant spot on the concrete and I find the overflow contents well  
below the minimum mark.

Sorry that I am not reporting that I know the answer to your problem,  
Paul, but I intend to keep after this one.  It rained this afternoon  
so I didn't get a chance to look
for new coolant traces in the engine compartment, but I assure you  
that I have done a lot of that in the past.

Next step will be to remove the belly pan and inspect with a bright  
light (I have several new LED lights that work well for engine work)  
and clean all areas with particular
attention to removing any old white coolant traces. There was a ring  
around one end of the well-known t behind the engine, so I will remove  
the t and inspect the hose bib ends.  They can crack around the entire  
radius but remain intact otherwise and feel and look solid when  
examined in place.  I would not expect this or other suspects to  
behave in the manner described.  Most leaks I would expect to find  
shortly after shutdown when pressure in the system is greatest, not in  
the dark of night when temperature
hits a new low.

Tom '95 S6
          '95.5 S6 avant
Knoxville, TN


On Monday December 1, 2014, at 10:59 AM,  Paul Luevano  
<paul at clarity.net> wrote:

> List-
>
> 	I have a coolant leak with an odd presentation.  So odd in fact, I've
> had this leak for probably 4 years and still haven't dealt with it.   
> It
> only happens when it is cold out, I'm going to say below freezing, and
> the car sits idle for more than a few (let's say two) days.  Under  
> these
> circumstances, sometimes, not always, the coolant overflow tank will  
> empty.
>
> 	This last time I parked the car on Tuesday before T-day, was back on
> Friday, and the coolant tank was empty.  If I drive the car daily, no
> problem.  If it's warm, and the car sits for several days, no problem.
>
> 	My solution up to this point has been to top off the overflow tank  
> and
> forget about it until the next time it happens.
>
> 	Patient: 1995.5 S6.
>
> 	Anyone ever experienced this?
>
> 	Thanks!
>
> Paul
> Wakefield, MA