The problem is this: my Rad keeps on running low on coolant because it isn't drawing coolant from the reserve/overflow tank (I think)

Possible causes include: Leaking Radiator cap.
damaged hoses between rad and overflow.
hole in radiator/cooling system
burning coolant.


My question is, if I was burning coolant, should it be drawing coolant in to replace it from the overflow/reserve tank? What is the easiest way to determine what is causing my coolant loss?


Any help would be greatly appreciated, it takes the joy outta driving my seven if I have to be worrying about something all the time..

 

im pretty sure that if you had busted water seals than your coolant system would be gushing all that coolant INTO the overflow tank. Im pretty sure you have a leak in your system..get it pressure tested, as from experience..finding the leak w/out one is a bitch...

 

You have a minute leak in your cooling system.&nbsp You need to make sure the hoses and radiator cap is in good shape and sealed.&nbsp What's happens is that pressure pushes the coolant into the overflow when hot.&nbsp When the coolant cools down, a small leak causes the cooling system to suck AIR instead of coolant from the overflow bottle.

The easiest would be to inspect/swap the radiator cap.



-Ted

 

If your radiator cap is bad there are two or three possible symptoms. If both gaskets are bad (there are two on the cap) it may leak out of the filler neck onto the engine. If the upper gasket is bad coolant will flow during operation into the reservoir tank but will not be sucked back into the radiator/engine when the car cools off. Air will be sucked back instead. The indication this is happening is the reservoir tank gets more and more coolant in it while your coolant buzzer routinely goes off.

ALso if both gaskets and or the spring are/is bad the coolant system will not be able to pressurize properly resulting in boiling over. The pressure build up raises the boiling point so the system will work at higher temps.

 

I had the same problem and the radiator cap was clogged on the valve that lets coolant back into the radiator after it cools down. I unclogged it and it worked fine for about a month or 2 now its started up again so I think that im gonna just go splurg and buy a new $5 cap... check to see if there is a suction in the system after it cools, if there is then u obviosly dont have a leak and it is your cap.

 

start car up. get warm, drive it around for 5min, then it gets hot? but the temp gauge stays at normal. Buzzer goes off, dumps the coolant into the overflow tank.

So then i shut it off and let it cool down. It then sucks the coolant back in from the tank. But when i start it up again, i have to top it off a bit. or else the buzzer will go on immediatly.

Auto, you coming to the Ottawa meet on may 4th bud?
meet at Fairview mall in TO at ... check the canadian forum .

Action

 

ok.. thanks guys...
I'm pretty sure I found the problem... and a leak :
Driving my car yesterday, pulling out of an intersection when my buzzer goes off (add coolant) ...I decided to pull off, just to be safe.... GOOD DECISION!!! ...then, my GF asks "Is that just dust, or is that smoke........" ...OMFG!!!... ...so I'm outta the car with the hood up in like 2 seconds... Coolant all over the engine bay... the thermostat housing gasket split, spraying coolant onto the airpump and the fan, which in turn circulated it through most of my engine bay ...So I'm thinking it's time for a new rad cap, and a gasket...

Action, man, I would love to... but... I'm gonna be in Quebec City on a band trip... ...but sometime soon for sure!!

 

Wow the beauty of the search function never ceases to amaze me. Thx I now know whats wrong with my car Btw this might sound stupid but do you have to buy a special radiator cap for rotaries? I read somewhere that you did, please tell me I am wrong....

 

I had an aftermarket cap with a relief valve that was too big to clear the sides of the filler neck. The clue was the upper rad hose would flatten as the engine cooled.

 

Ok i just got my new cap, is there anything i have to do before I run the car? Also my add coolant buzzer comes on if I just leave the key in the on position for about a minute, is that normal?

 

Anyone?

 

PLease someone respond!

 

pip: that sounds like a faulty sensor... with the engine cold, open up the radiator (at your new cap) and fill it up with coolant, let it sit, fill it some more... then, if the coolant level no longer goes down, cap it and turn it on... as for the buzzer coming on when ignition is in the on position, is that with the engine running or before you start it?

 

If that doesn't help, follow the procedure in the FSM or Haynes manual to test the water level sensor... And be sure to check the connector plug... some of them (86-88) had a habit of popping open, causing the buzzer...