Coolant issue.......

[Stresst]

Last winter there were a few instances when I had no heat, long story short turned out I was low on antifreeze. Added a gallon, yes one gallon and I was good for a few weeks. Mind you a can commute all week, shop, etc and still not clock more then 150 miles. BUT I drove to Pittsburg PA from NYC and back something a tad over 1K all said and done and didnt add 1pint! Then the summer came and went, actually forgot about this as there were no issues. Now the winter is hear again and I am losing anti freeze again! WTF! I sometimes can smell it after I park and get out but cannot find shit!

Any suggestions?

 

[noJeepshere]

Last winter there were a few instances when I had no heat, long story short turned out I was low on antifreeze. Added a gallon, yes one gallon and I was good for a few weeks. Mind you a can commute all week, shop, etc and still not clock more then 150 miles. BUT I drove to Pittsburg PA from NYC and back something a tad over 1K all said and done and didnt add 1pint! Then the summer came and went, actually forgot about this as there were no issues. Now the winter is hear again and I am losing anti freeze again! WTF! I sometimes can smell it after I park and get out but cannot find shit!

Any suggestions?

Sounds like a head gasket that is shrinking when its cold out and letting coolant leak. My Yukon leaked worse when it was cold but I could drive a thousand miles without losing a drop.

 

[crxx]

antifreeze

sounds more like the famous intake gasket leak. im in the process of finishing mine rite now

 

[SunlitComet]

how does the reservoir level do during all your driving in both seasons?

 

[Stresst]

how does the reservoir level do during all your driving in both seasons?

Only the winter times I have issues.....

 

[SunlitComet]

season should have no effect on weather a head gasket seals or not when the engine is hot from running it is hot it does not really operate cooler so to speak because it is colder outside or should the cold outside cause it to shrink bad enough to leak. Just never seen that in person or photos. I would have you rad cap tested. inspect reservoir and line and perhaps the freeze plugs.

 

[bigfeet]

It sounds like the intake gasket problem that everyone has to deal with at some point. Do a search tons of info on this problem. I had the exact symptoms as you for three years then one day it finally blew all the way and anti freeze blew out all over the engine compartment.

 

[Stresst]

It sounds like the intake gasket problem that everyone has to deal with at some point. Do a search tons of info on this problem. I had the exact symptoms as you for three years then one day it finally blew all the way and anti freeze blew out all over the engine compartment.

Yeah I had to change it about 6 years ago.....

 

[Stresst]

Now that I think of it I have a Blue Point coolant system pressurization tester (anyway thats what I think its called) somewhere that I got in a trade a few years back. Gotta find it and see what I come up with.....

I know its not the radiator cap, just changed it (again).

What I just remembered is I poured some bars leak in the radiator last winter. I am thinking maybe that was what did the trick and maybe the cold weather has nothing to do with it. Maybe the leak got larger?? I know this stuff worked cause it clogged the resevior line twice! Had to run a snake through it!

 

[strad]

Make sure your water pump isn't leaking. My truck started mysteriously losing coolant over Christmas -- didn't see it leaking anywhere until 1 day in January it started leaking a whole bunch (that's probably a bit dramatic -- it was a couple drops on the garage floor -- but imo any missing coolant at all is cause for concern lol). Then I could see it spilling out the weep hole. New water pump and since then I have not lost any coolant.