A couple days ago I overheated my engine. Although I got it cooled off before it maxed out the temp guage I am afraid I may have still damaged something. Now when I drive the car I continuously get a low coolant alarm yet there is no sign of leakage anywhere. My current theory is that the water is going through the engine although there is no steam in the exhaust. I have added a 16" electric fan to the system to prevent this happening again (the other Probe fan died, causing the overheat condition in the first place).

Is it possible that the amount of water going through the engine is small enough that no steam would be produced?

If so what type of leak might cause this and how would I fix it?

Thanks in advance,

Devdude

edit: BTW I have a 91 vert, 13B engine with no turbo, fuel injection.

 

Sure, it's always possible to have a small enough internal leak so no steam is produced, but it can only get larger...How often do you have to add coolant?

 

I haven't had to add coolant myself, but the mechanic I had doing the tuneup said that he was getting the low coolant alarm after driving it for about 10 to 15 miles. He was taking it to the emissions check station. But I am sure there was some significant idleing time spent while he was making adjustments.

 

If the leak is into the engine and we assume that it will eventually get bigger, am I looking at a total rebuild on the engine to fix the problem?

 

It's also possible the heater core could be leaking, or you have a giant air-bubble and the system just isn't bled properly. Either way, do a pressure test on the system and see if it leaks.

 

How about you just add some coolant to it? Are you telling me you got a low coolant alarm and haven't added coolant? You probably blew some out of the resevoir during the overheat and it just needs to be replaced.

-Joe

 

We add coolant and then get a low coolant alarm after driving the car for awhile. My initial thought was a vapor bubble but I'm not sure.

The pressure test sounds like a good plan. Is this something I can do myself and if so I assume I will need a special attachment for the radiator cap? Do I pressurize to the pressure specified by the radiator cap?