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Author Topic: low coolant levels  (Read 10167 times)

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Offline Gentleman Jack

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #25 on: November 23, 2013, 03:03:35 AM »
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Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #26 on: November 23, 2013, 09:14:04 AM »
Congrats, did you replace the thermostat also

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Offline Critterman

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #27 on: November 23, 2013, 01:12:52 PM »
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Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #28 on: January 28, 2014, 07:44:04 PM »
OK, time for an update. And it doesn't look good. As a refresher, it's my wife's car, GXPsy, 2008 GXP. I replaced the water pump, since no other issues could be identified. Also replaced the thermostat. Car has continued to run hot (spikes, as in air pockets), and use coolant. Checked the dipstick today and, arrggghhhh........foamy milkshake halfway up the dipstick. The coolant is going into the crankcase. No bubbles in the coolant reservoir tank when running. Ideas please. Thanks.
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Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #29 on: January 28, 2014, 08:12:11 PM »
Don't eat that milkshake!

Any way that the new water pump could be leaking into the crankcase?
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Offline elff

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #30 on: January 28, 2014, 08:38:26 PM »
Sounds like the block has a crack.

Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #31 on: January 28, 2014, 08:48:51 PM »
Don't believe the water pump is the issue. I was never able to confirm that the previous one needed replacing. The source of the leak was never identified. Per suggestions here the water pump was a "best guess" fix. My next suspicion was a head gasket, but the lack of bubbling in the reservoir pretty much kills that as the culprit.
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Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #32 on: January 28, 2014, 08:50:38 PM »
There have been some occasions when a significant amount of white smoke (steam?) was released from the exhaust, leading me to believe there may be some sort of leak into the intake tract or cylinders.
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Offline 2kwk4u

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #33 on: January 28, 2014, 10:29:16 PM »
Could still be a head gasket, just depends on where the failure is on the gasket whether or not you'd see telltale bubbles in the coolant reservoir.  Also could be a cracked block on the water jacket, as suggested.  Either way, it's going to take a tear-down to diagnose fully.  Have you done a compression and/or leak-down test yet?

Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #34 on: January 28, 2014, 10:30:17 PM »
No. Not yet. I can do a compression test, but I don't have the necessary tools for a leak down.
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Offline Critterman

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #35 on: January 28, 2014, 11:04:53 PM »
Yes you do you do a compression test and leave it for half an hour and check the pressure.  If there is no change then it is fine.  Do it on each cyl
GONE: (but not forgotten) 2006 Cool named BIXABEL (BISH-AH-BEL) Mayan for "Good Roads"

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Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #36 on: January 29, 2014, 06:33:48 AM »
Thanks Critter. Good to learn.
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Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #37 on: January 29, 2014, 12:03:32 PM »
Yes you do you do a compression test and leave it for half an hour and check the pressure.  If there is no change then it is fine.  Do it on each cyl

Can you explain this one to me Critter?  I have always had access to the tools to do a leak down test so haven't heard about doing it this way.
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Offline DeepBlueGXP

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #38 on: January 29, 2014, 01:03:12 PM »
Sorry to hear about that Rogue...not a good sign.

Offline Critterman

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #39 on: January 29, 2014, 05:06:13 PM »
Can you explain this one to me Critter?  I have always had access to the tools to do a leak down test so haven't heard about doing it this way.

Sure.  it is not exact like pumping air into a cylinder and having tools to see where the air is going, but..........  If you do a compression test with the gauge locked into the cylinder and say show 180 lbs and 30 minutes later without touching everything you show 150 then you know that cylinder is leaking.  It will not tell you that it is a ring, valve or gasket, but it will tell you it is leaking.
GONE: (but not forgotten) 2006 Cool named BIXABEL (BISH-AH-BEL) Mayan for "Good Roads"

DDM
StageIII intercooled Supercharger, Wisco ceramic coated pistons, Carrillo rods, superTech valves and Springs
Ported and polished head
Exedy Stage II Clutch
big brake kit, slotted/drilled Rotors w/Porterfield pads & blue juice
Backbone, Probeam, Cross Strut Brace
Underhood, trunk, & door Lights
ZOK suspension

JPM
Center console, door inserts, & dash
Seat bolster & lumbar support

Focuztech Tri-Y Header & hi-flow cat
Solo Performance SQR-2
Norm's Rear facia
Heated Seats
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Offline Sly Bob

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #40 on: January 29, 2014, 07:30:58 PM »
Okay my knowledge of this is limited at best but the rings aren't o-rings so wouldn't you expect a little leakage? I don't believe the rings seal 100%. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.   :D

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Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #41 on: January 29, 2014, 08:46:36 PM »
Bob I would have to agree with your logic. 

I know it would leak but I would assume how much would leak will vary from one engine design to the next.  You would also have to make sure that when you left the engine set that it was at TDC of the compression stroke or you might have a valve that leaks.  If the piston wasn't at TDC then the pressure could push the piston down and you would lose pressure that way.

I have never thought of trying this Critter, but like I said I always had access to the differential compression tester at work.
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Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #42 on: January 30, 2014, 05:58:49 PM »
Of course, all of this would surface just before the holidays. Trying to find time to do the repairs has been a major headache. Speaking of headaches, I got the flu right around New Years, that turned into an upper respiratory infection, which turned into a lower respiratory infection, and now I'm trying to recover from pneumonia. All the while hoping to maintain a somewhat pleasant disposition! OK, enough whining. On to the real problem at hand.

I ran a compression test and got surprisingly good numbers. Cyl 1 - 185 lbs, cyl 2 - 190 lbs, cyl 3 - 190 lbs, cyl 4 - 190 lbs. My compression tester has a hold and release valve on it so I was not able to do a leakdown test, but rings are not under suspicion here anyway. So, if it's not a head gasket, what would it be? A cracked block? Would it hold compression like that? Any chance the water pump itself is leaking into the crankcase? HELP!
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Offline Nocte Malum

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #43 on: January 30, 2014, 09:47:59 PM »
There are cooling passages that run parallel to the cylinders.  Perhaps the head gasket is leaking between the passages and elsewhere, but not towards the combustion chamber?

Offline 2kwk4u

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #44 on: January 30, 2014, 10:01:04 PM »
Sounds less like a head gasket with good compression numbers.  Still possible, I guess, but you may be one of the lucky ones with a cracked block.  It could still hold compression, as all of the pistons are sleeved, and those sleeves are pressed into the block.  Crack would be between an oil journal and water jacket.  That's my thinking anyway... for what it's worth.

At this point, though, you know coolant is getting into the oil - and the engine obviously shouldn't be run in that condition.  You've essentially got "nothing to lose" by tearing it down (unless it's still under warranty or you bought an extended warranty).  Might consider pulling the head with the motor still in the car to see if the head gasket is/isn't intact.

Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #45 on: February 20, 2014, 09:38:46 AM »
With a break in the weather I'm going to try to once again diagnose the coolant issue with GXPsy. As I recall, the turbo on GXPsy is a LOT louder than the one on Rogue. Is it possible that a seal and/or bearing issue is allowing coolant to mix with the oil? The car occasionally puffs out some white exhaust, and the turbo could be a possible point of entry into the intake for the coolant. Thoughts? Anyone? Thanks. Of course, I could "borrow" the turbo from Rogue for a few days to see if that is the problem.
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Offline 2kwk4u

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #46 on: February 20, 2014, 11:36:02 AM »
Theoretically, yes it's possible as I understand.  Our turbos are water-cooled.  I'm not a turbo expert, though, and haven't ever torn one down.

Offline 2kwk4u

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #47 on: February 20, 2014, 11:36:18 AM »
Theoretically, yes it's possible as I understand.  Our turbos are water-cooled.  I'm not a turbo expert, though, and haven't ever disassembled one.

Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #48 on: February 20, 2014, 12:05:51 PM »
Yes the turbo could be a source for the two fluids to cross paths.
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Offline Rogue

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Re: low coolant levels
« Reply #49 on: February 20, 2014, 06:17:05 PM »
I'm so hoping I can find something other than a cracked block!
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