WHERE is coolant lost? Cost?

1995 Dodge Neon, SOHC, A/C, 100,000 + miles, with coolant loss which
can not be seen. Could it be: (1) burned by the spark plugs from a
bad head gasket and/or bad head. (2) evaporating (leak) from the
radiator, hoses, heat exchanger. What is the expected cost of your
recomendation?

 

You don't say how much is lost or if this stabilizes over time. Try
replacing the radiator coolant cap first. This is the cheapest and simplest
and could be the source of the problem if the pressure cap is letting
coolant out the overflow when it is hot. I'd think you could see the
exhaust smoke if it were being burned during combustion due to blown head
gasket, but it may be leaking so little (just starting) that it might be
difficult.

Have you looked on the underside of the vehicle? Usually you can see the
area which is the source of the leak.

Bob

 

SARCASM ALERT!!

First of all, you are lying. You cannot get more than 100,000 miles on
a domestically designed and manufactured car.

First check for wet spots on hoses, fittings etc, indicating a leak.

I would check the rad cap next, it could be weak and allowing too much
coolant to go to the expansion tank and then not allowing it to be
sucked back when cool.

Finally, you may be looking at a head gasket problem, coolant gets
sucked into the cylinders and burned -- but there should be some white
steam in your mirrors as you accelerate away.

Dan

 

He MUST be lying! Only japanese cars last over
100,000 miles



mike hunt

 

If its never been replaced, chances are it's the head gasket. You won't
necessarily see any white smoke from the tail pipe. Do check the simple
things first, look closely for external leaks, rad cap, etc. You can also
have the coolant checked for the presence of CO. That will tell you if the
gasket is leaking.

 

Everyone is silly.. there isn't any car maker out there that will allow
more than 70k out of a car.. <rolling eyes>