Heard a loud "pop" while backing out a other day(almost like a weak gunshot), then mysteriously I ran out off coolant during a short drive to work...almost overheated. I was full as I had just checked the levels not long before. I added more coolant, burped it, and made sure all levels were good. Let the car idle for about 15-20 minutes in the driveway with no issues. Took her for about a 10 minute spin around the block and brought it home. When I checked the levels again the reservoir dropped about an inch worth of coolant. There are no leaks in the driveway, oil seems clean and remains at the same levels so I don't think it's getting into the engine in a bad way. From things I've read I'm thinking an expansion/core/freeze plug popped and causing the leak while the system is under pressure. Just wanted more thoughts and feedback. Oh, and it's a stock 2.8 in an 88 GT
IP: Logged
09:16 PM
PFF
System Bot
Bruce Member
Posts: 2189 From: Ventura, California, USA Registered: May 99
I had similar symptoms although leakage not as bad or rapid. Was a dead radiator, seal failed along one end, only leaked under pressure when the temp got up there like when driving. When still, never got hot enough to really leak that I could see it.
------------------ Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
Negative. I've looked inside and out and don't see anything. The engine bay is too dirty for me to tell if anything is new, but nothing in the driveway. I'll also mention that since I have had this issue I have let the car idle a few other times in the driveway and not only do I not see a leak but the reservoir doesn't drop any.
IP: Logged
09:24 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40730 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Does your radiator fan still come on when the engine gets hot? Might have popped a fuseable link or something.
Funny you ask that. While troubleshooting the system I found that my fan relay was bad. Replaced it though and tested, it does come on when the engine temp goes up.
If you can't find it and keep loosing coolant, add some dye. After the addition of dye, if you're still loosing coolant but can't find the leak, wash the car, that way if the leak is from the radiator the dye will be washed out, that's how I found mine, otherwise you will need to pull the fan shroud to check the seams. My radiator was leaking for more than a year before I finally discovered it, never left anything on the ground that I could see after shutting it down.
So after months of being in storage I finally finished with my interior work I wanted to do. Figured I'd check on my coolant problem again. I got the car running for the first time since December and let it run for about 15 minutes. Turned it off, checked my coolant level and saw it has dropped a little, but not much. Figured I should check my oil again and found the dipstick had a light brown color to the oil. Even though this wasn't the case when I put it in storage. I figure it must have been a somewhat slow process and only now is it finally noticeable. So sounds like a head gasket right? How costly is that repair?
Likely a lower intake gasket failure if it is still running good. That is not a tough fix. Larry
Yeah, been researching since I posted and that seems to be a common theme. And yeah, she runs fine otherwise. Guess I'll be learning some new skills soon. Bums me out too, was so excited to get her back on the road.
