[matamua]

I've seen quite a bit of conflicting information about low coolant warning (yellow light, not red).

I've got no visible sign of leak. No white smoke and no frightening oil cap findings. No performance decrement.

Pertinent history: I had Rob @speedlogic do the waterpump, thermostat and OFHG last year. While he was there I had him swap out the hose connection to the block to the aluminum one. I've driven maybe 6000mi since then.

People fall into two camps:

1) It's a closed system and impossible to lose it unless there's an issue. If you're losing coolant, you've got a problem. It's going somewhere and you'd better find it. Most common culprits seem to be the expansion tank, hoses or the OFHG has crapped the bed. Uncommon for head gasket to go.

2) Chill out and add a bit of 50/50 mixed distilled/OEM coolant. Even though it's a closed system, the lid vents and you can lose some that way. It's not the end of the world, it happens to me sometimes and I just add some and move on.

What are everybody's thoughts? I'd love to create a poll, but can't figure that out on my phone.

Also, side note, but the new green HT-12 coolant is supposed to be backwards compatible and can be mixed with the blue. My dealer in Santa Monica doesn't have the blue stuff anymore.

[smass]

2. add a bit. Also, the hoses can expand over time and it takes a little more coolant to fill them.

[matamua]

Originally Posted by smass

2. add a bit. Also, the hoses can expand over time and it takes a little more coolant to fill them.

Thanks.

I added some this morning. At first the light was intermittent—start up cold and it would come on. Shut if off and start it again and it went away. Last few days it's stayed.

I was about a liter down.

[Tunafish]

I would say that if you have to add fluid ever month or earlier you have an issue. Bi yearly/yearly top offs are normal.

So i am on the its a problem with conditions camp. While you list two common failures, there are more common failures to look at. Radiator seams, upper radiator hose coupling, cylinder head to termostat coupling, water pump.. I think i got the common ones.

[matamua]

Originally Posted by Tunafish

I would say that if you have to add fluid ever month or earlier you have an issue. Bi yearly/yearly top offs are normal.

So i am on the its a problem with conditions camp. While you list two common failures, there are more common failures to look at. Radiator seams, upper radiator hose coupling, cylinder head to termostat coupling, water pump.. I think i got the common ones.

Good to know. Will be going to see Rob this week for an oil pan gasket. Will have him check it out

[matamua]

Originally Posted by matamua

Good to know. Will be going to see Rob this week for an oil pan gasket. Will have him check it out

There was a crack in the radiator. Wheels and tires are going to have to wait a bit longer now...

[Tunafish]

You going all aluminum out of curiosity?

[matamua]

Originally Posted by Tunafish

You going all aluminum out of curiosity?

Just replaced it with OEM.

[colorado.e9x]

I got a mystery for you all. A couple days ago I get off work to find coolant spilled out from my car. I check the expansion tank and its just about empty. I look under the car, its wet in the center between the radiator and the fan shroud. I refilled it, drove it home, and put it on ramps to investigate. It appears there was a path coming from the trans cooler except it had 1) dried up and 2) went above the trans cooler but not much further. I let it sit for a bit to leak some more and only a single drop had come out so I took it for a drive to oreillys to get that UV dye for coolant. Got home, let it cool down, popped half a bottle of that dye in, drove it around for a little.. Still won't leak. It's been like I said a couple days and nothing. It was mentioned it could have been a rock but everything for the most part looks fine

[Tunafish]

You sure thats coolant?

[herraman]

Following, same issue

[ewicky]

Originally Posted by Tunafish

You sure thats coolant?

He's gotta taste it to be sure

[Dabrwright]

Could be power steering fluid/leak?

[Tunafish]

It could not even came from the car.. But it looks like you do have a small leak which from the area i would inspect the thermostat hose head fitting.

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by Tunafish

You sure thats coolant?

Oh yeah. Coolant reservoir was basically empty, power steering was full, and I almost ate shit slipping on the puddle.