losig coolant (Page 1/1)
ford2go JUL 25, 12:46 AM
Hi,
84 Fiero. Suddenly started losing coolant -- no idea where.Significant change (2 inches or more) in the overflow tank level after a 10 or 20 mile run.
- No drips on the ground
- Everywhere I look seems to be dry jacked up the back and the tubes look good - also the connections to them.
- Oil does not smell of antifreeze - no milky color
- No white smoke
- coolant seems OK - no oil smell

Any special places to look? I DID not look at the bottom radiator area yet -- but I will. Temps are good

Thanks,

hj
Patrick JUL 25, 12:59 AM

quote
Originally posted by ford2go:

84 Fiero. Suddenly started losing coolant -- no idea where.Significant change (2 inches or more) in the overflow tank level after a 10 or 20 mile run.



Of course, it's normal for the coolant level in the reservoir to go down after a warmed-up engine has been shut off and cools down.... but you're saying the coolant level goes down as the engine is running and reaching operating temperature?
theogre JUL 25, 02:19 AM
Pull the spark plugs and keep them in order.
Does #4 look different?
Yes? Then likely coolant port to the intake man is leaking into #4 cyl. If so use only Felpro intake man gasket and install Dry.

No? Then...
Get/make a pressure tester. Note that most rad pressure test kits won't fit Fiero w/o removing the hood.
Charge to 15psi.
Then look.
Note Heater core can leak on the floor of car.
Mike in Sydney JUL 25, 02:38 AM
I had a similar problem on my '86 GT. Try checking / replacing the radiator caps. There are two. One on the radiator and one at the thermostat. Next, check the catch tank. Mine have a habit of breaking attachment tabs which may cause a leak in the tank. Also, check the gasket on the catch tank cap. Mine was split and I lost some coolant that way.

------------------
Mike in Sydney

AsaBergman JUL 25, 04:02 AM
I had a mystery coolant loss in my 84. No visible leaks, not burning coolant. Eventually one night I pulled over at random, popped the hood, and found steam coming out of the driver side radiator hose... The only reason I noticed it was because it was night and the headlight was illuminating it.

Of course I tightened the hose and that caused the radiator tank to finally fail and leak everywhere from the pressure.

Moral of the story, if checking the spark plugs doesn't show signs of coolant then try looking for steam.
Gall757 JUL 26, 08:08 PM
I recall reading a thread where a coolant hose puncture would leak only under pressure, and it shot coolant at the converter.....left no evidence except that little bit of steam that would be hard to notice unless the car was up in the air.