Where is my coolant going?
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Where is my coolant going? - 4/9/2008 10:00:08 AM
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gutted
Posts: 287
Joined: 9/18/2005
From: Eastern MA
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This is with my 86k mile 2003 Dakota 3.9L RWD atx.
I have to add coolant maybe once every 6 weeks or so. I add it since the dipstick comes up dry.
I do not notice any leaks when my truck is parked outside my apartment (tough with crushed stone) nor when I am parked all day at work (easier with the asphalt). The truck never runs warm. I have not done a crazy inspection, but a brief visual shows no leaks either. The floor is not wet on the inside either.
With my Neon I would think headgasket, but the last couple times I changed my oil it looked ok. I will be changing my oil again this weekend, so I'll check again.
Any ideas??
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Nick
www.carboneracing.com
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - 16.2 @ 87
1988 Dodge Grand Caravan - 17.6 @76
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - gutted and loud
2003 Dodge Dakota club cab - global warmer
1998 Dodge Neon sedan - sister's car
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/9/2008 10:49:46 AM
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OneBadKota
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I believe they make a dye for the coolant as well. I would recommend using it and then tracing it with a black light. This is the easiest way to track a leak, rather than going over every spot it could be leaking from.
.02
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/9/2008 12:30:04 PM
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JasonA
Posts: 348
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That sounds like a small leak. I'd start with the radiator cap. A leaking cap can allow coolant to evaporate off, or even leak when under pressure. A new cap is cheap, and is good insurance anyway at this age, even if yours appears to be holding.
In addition to the dye (a good idea), have the cooling system pressure-checked. It's apparently a leak that may only happen when the engine is running and the system is fully pressurized.
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1997 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab
5.2L V-8 / 44RE / Emerald Green Pearl
255/70R15 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s
Flowmaster 40-series Dual Exhaust
Pioneer DEH-2900/Sirius Stratus Receiver
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/9/2008 12:50:13 PM
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gutted
Posts: 287
Joined: 9/18/2005
From: Eastern MA
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Good idea on the dye. I forgot about that.
Radiator cap is a good idea too.
This is why I asked, the little things are the ones that you forget!
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Nick
www.carboneracing.com
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - 16.2 @ 87
1988 Dodge Grand Caravan - 17.6 @76
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - gutted and loud
2003 Dodge Dakota club cab - global warmer
1998 Dodge Neon sedan - sister's car
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/9/2008 5:46:25 PM
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TomsDakota
Posts: 8
Joined: 10/21/2007
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You can rent a Coolant Pressure Tester at Auto Zone, pump it up to 16lb's I believe the Dakota is (check on the radiator cap) and watch the gauge. If it's slowly dropping then your fluid is going somewhere, time to look for where its streaming out.
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/9/2008 7:43:46 PM
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noodle
Posts: 116
Joined: 12/12/2007
From: Manistee Michigan
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Definetly pressure test. Its so easy to to do. You can sit there and watch where it is leaking from, it is not leaking at all then its probably just your cap.
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1995 Dakota SLT 4x4
5.2 318ci
Flowmaster 40 Series
Couple Bells and Whistles
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/10/2008 6:37:42 AM
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varsis
Posts: 1255
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If you can't find a leak, I would be checking your tranny fluid... Could be serious. Also check the oil again. That would make me paranoid...
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/10/2008 6:52:41 AM
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gutted
Posts: 287
Joined: 9/18/2005
From: Eastern MA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: varsis
If you can't find a leak, I would be checking your tranny fluid... Could be serious. Also check the oil again. That would make me paranoid...
I never thought of the tranny fluid. But when I have checked it in the recent past it has looked ok and been to a proper level. I just never thought to check it for that reason, but I always check it.
I just ordered a rad cap and I'll do the pressure check.
My truck is getting old =(
_____________________________
Nick
www.carboneracing.com
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - 16.2 @ 87
1988 Dodge Grand Caravan - 17.6 @76
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - gutted and loud
2003 Dodge Dakota club cab - global warmer
1998 Dodge Neon sedan - sister's car
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/10/2008 6:56:24 AM
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varsis
Posts: 1255
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quote:
ORIGINAL: gutted
quote:
ORIGINAL: varsis
If you can't find a leak, I would be checking your tranny fluid... Could be serious. Also check the oil again. That would make me paranoid...
I never thought of the tranny fluid. But when I have checked it in the recent past it has looked ok and been to a proper level. I just never thought to check it for that reason, but I always check it.
I just ordered a rad cap and I'll do the pressure check.
My truck is getting old =(
lol, not even mine is a 1997...
But if it is in the tranny you will probably need a rebuild or atleast a flush. Than I would buy a BYpass cooler, and keep it separate from the radiator to avoid contamination again.
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/10/2008 8:36:31 AM
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JasonA
Posts: 348
Joined: 3/24/2008
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Old?? Nah, your truck is fine. Mine's a '97 with 168,000 miles. Yours is barely broken in; not even 100k miles yet. :)
_____________________________
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab
5.2L V-8 / 44RE / Emerald Green Pearl
255/70R15 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s
Flowmaster 40-series Dual Exhaust
Pioneer DEH-2900/Sirius Stratus Receiver
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 4/10/2008 3:40:23 PM
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demolition man
Posts: 8
Joined: 4/9/2008
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Do press. test first, ck. all freeze plugs and gskts. close while on on lift.
Could also be intake manifold leak. Coolant is sucked into engine.
You can rule out head gskt. w/ exhaust probe at radiator cap neck, high hc or co readings, any shop that tests for emissions can do it.
Thats a small leak though.
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 5/4/2008 1:50:30 PM
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gutted
Posts: 287
Joined: 9/18/2005
From: Eastern MA
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Well, I'm pretty sure I found it. There was a leak by the water pump. It's been replaced and so far so good!
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Nick
www.carboneracing.com
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - 16.2 @ 87
1988 Dodge Grand Caravan - 17.6 @76
1995 Dodge Neon sedan - gutted and loud
2003 Dodge Dakota club cab - global warmer
1998 Dodge Neon sedan - sister's car
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 5/4/2008 4:42:09 PM
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LoudPedal45
Posts: 771
Joined: 12/14/2007
From: North Central Kansas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JasonA
Old?? Nah, your truck is fine. Mine's a '97 with 168,000 miles. Yours is barely broken in; not even 100k miles yet. :)
i still think igo u beat mines only a 2000 but its got 179,608 miles on it as of 5/3/08
HA
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2000 quadcab, 4.7L, 182,000,twenties, intake, exhaust, $5799
quote:
Midnight
Maybe if I can get into your room, youd have video with me it in.
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RE: Where is my coolant going? - 5/5/2008 4:52:08 PM
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RoaminGnome
Posts: 201
Joined: 3/1/2007
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Well i have this issue aswell. All these are great ideas and im gonna have to add them to my list 
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99 Dakota STD Cab 4x4 5spd 3.9l V6
31x10.5R15 Kumho MT on 15x8 AR black steelies
Custom exhaust with high flow cat and drop in K&N
89 BMW 325IX 5spd 2.5l I6
This is AWD everyone! :)
I cant spell worth a damn deal with it :)
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