Coolant leak?

I have had the lines preassure tested, I have checked all the lines and connections, and i replaced all the hose clamps with new ones, but my reservior fluid level still keeps dropping. Its a slow leak, but i cant find it... Do you think the engine is burning coolant or is there someting else i should check? Thanks

Does the car smoke any? Does it look like there is water in the oil? Does the level in the resevoir get lower or does it get completely dry?

I dont think the reservior has ever been empty, it just gets really low, but it might ill have to let it go and see... But no, it has never shown any signs of burning coolant engine wise, and thats the part I dont understand... Where is it going? I just changed my oil yesturday and there was no sign of water.

As the car gets up to temp the level of coolant in the resevoir will get lower but once the car cools down it's suppose to rise back up. My gut is telling me that I've got this backwards, am I correct.

I believe your right ned.

You are correct, but even the cold level still drops over the days...

How's your gauge looking?

Guage reads normal... I was wondering could it be a return line from the reservior, or to it? Would that be included in a preassure test?

I've always wondered if you don't have a very good seal on your resevoir then the coolant could slowly evaporate, is this true?

I've always wondered if you don't have a very good seal on your resevoir then the coolant could slowly evaporate, is this true?

There is a drain coming from the coolant top anyways, the tank isin't suppose to be sealed shut.

There is a drain coming from the coolant top anyways, the tank isin't suppose to be sealed shut.

Yeah, you don't want any boiling liquid trapped inside a plastic tank to explode.

So do you think that the fluid will evaporate?

So do you think that the fluid will evaporate?

Without proper seals running to the engine, it depends on where the fluid lands.

So does anyone have any ideas or thoughts about what could be wrong? I know i dont really have any signs for you to use to diagnose something, the only thing i have to add is that my reservior ran out today...

Is your sending unit good? I would just replace since its only a couple of bucks.

***EDIT***
And also the thermostat while you're at it.

Sending unit? What the sensor? There is no coolant sending unit. It's all pressure and temperature controlled. I would say drain the radiator and the entire system dry. Then refill. Make sure then you've got the right levels and see if it keeps happening.

I don't think coolant would evaporate like that. Obviously any fluid can, but I've never had any car evaporate it dry.

In short, it has to be going somewhere. Have you ran the car for awhile while watching it (not driving) and seeing if there's any steam or anything coming from anyplace? It has to be going somewhere. Whether it be steam, mixing in oil, whatever... it has to go somewhere.

Oh, something cool to do for steam is run it at night with the hood open and just have a flash light or bright light laying across so it streams over the motor. Then you can see all the steam when you see the actual light beam. That's what I do. Especially if it's cold outside, more visual.

Sending unit? What the sensor? There is no coolant sending unit. It's all pressure and temperature controlled.

LOL, or that. But even then, if it was bad your gauge would probably be bad.

Yep, like said before, the coolant has to be going somewhere. One time, at work i spilled coolant on the front bumper, this was on a friday afternoon. When I came back in Monday, the coolant was still there. So I'd say its pretty rare to have a whole coolant reservoir evaporate.

Now is the radiator staying full? On my talon, my radiator was emptying out into the overflow tank. That would keep the overflow lookin good, but eventually it would run my cooling system out and I'd start to overheat. My fix was an 8 dollar radiator cap.

My fix was an 8 dollar radiator cap.
:1: Damn, mine did that too. Good catch Mix, yeah mine was not such a bad leak but it was very apparent the coolant was leaking when my car was running after a while. I would also look at your gaskets. The water outlet, your clamps, etc. They won't leak all the way to the ground but they will get to ya in good week of daily driving.

I have left it run and watched, but i think the night idea sounds good. I'll also look into the radiator cap, since 2 people are saying they had a problem with it. But yea i have checked all the seals and gaskets, they are not leaking, and the oil wasn't runny or anything... But like you said it has to be going somewhere...