water loss

[bot0611]

In my truck i have not seen any leaks all i see and noticed kind of odd is that the overflow can gets full, but before id notice i had to add fluid to the rediator..

COuld it be that from the bumps and the hard suspension the radiator could spill the fuild to the overflow tank?

 

[dyeager535]

No, if the radiator cap is *working properly* system pressure has to be enough for the cap to "vent", which forces the moving part of the cap off it's seat in the radiator fill neck, and allows the fluid to reach the overflow port.

If it's getting full, I'd check to make sure the bottom of it isn't full of crud (which can act as a one way valve, fluid goes in, but can't get sucked back out as the engine cools), and if it's not that, I'd suspect your radiator cap to be no good, and not holding pressure.

 

[TankerCadaver]

I seem to recall a problem with my old '69 Camaro - developed a crack in the head that only seemed to get coolant into the exhaust.

It cause the engine to run hotter and clouded up the coolant. But outwardly I saw no indicators of any problem. I attributed the increased temps to some performance mods. I can't remember how I actually found it... I think I pulled the heads for something and the 'flux found the crack.

Anyway, I guess it's a possibility that your exhaust is consuming some coolant. Have you seen any change in engine temps?

If all these suggestions on here fails then put a small piece of clear scotch tape between your hood and the fender after you fill 'er up. A nice little tattle-tail to see if someone is siphoning off your coolant as a prank

 

[Thunder]

Just because there is no water in the oil does not mean you dont have a bad head gasket or cracked head.

A bad head gasket can force coolant into the coolant overflow tank filling it up. Because of combustion gasses leaking into the cooling system and over pressurizing it.

Other symptoms are.
Continual coolant loss with no visible leak.
White smoke/ steam out the exhaust pipe. Especially on a hot restart after sitting for a bit.
Water running out the exhaust pipe after engine is warmed up good or on a hot restart.
Exhaust smells like coolant.


Pull your spark plugs and see if 1 or 2(usually next to each other) look noticeably different than the rest.
While you have all the plugs out. Have someone crank the engine over and watch if any water comes out of the spark plug holes.

If you have a compression Gage. Check compression. If you have a bad gasket or cracked head 1 or 2 cylinders(usually right next to each other) will be a lot lower than the rest.