New Radiator and Losing Coolant

[Jeff/Illinois]

Losing that much coolant due to a blown head gasket or a cracked block, it is going to show up at the tailpipe as tell- tale white smoke and you will be able to smell the anti-freeze burning out. It is an indistinguishable odor.

Two gallons in such a short amount of time especially, is extremely excessive. Since it's not puddling out on the floor it has to be burning off. Hopefully not a cracked block, just the bad head gaskets like has been spoken of here before.

[1931 flamingo]

Pull the spark plugs. What color are they??
Paul in CT

[Will N]

I was losing coolant, and I attributed it to it going out the overflow during highway runs. But I found that the water pump would leak only while the engine was both warm and running. Never leaked a drop when you would first start it up, or when you shut it off. The leak was slow enough that it would evaporate on the hot engine block, so I wasn't leaving a trail of coolant. Found it by accident when I left the engine running at a gas stop and opened the hood. It was one of those "leakless" water pumps. Replaced it and coolant loss problem is gone.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Pull the spark plugs. What color are they??
Paul in CT

What do plugs look like if coolant getting into the cylinders? Different looking if using water vs. antifreeze?

[ryanheacox]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

What do plugs look like if coolant getting into the cylinders? Different looking if using water vs. antifreeze?

If it's "burning" enough water/coolant the plugs and combustion chamber should look nice and clean. Might look slightly different with coolant vs water.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by ryanheacox

If it's "burning" enough water/coolant the plugs and combustion chamber should look nice and clean. Might look slightly different with coolant vs water.

So sounds like the same as the trick of a water misting bottle through the air intake or vacuum port at fast idle.


Thanks, was unsure if results would be the same.

[redmodelt]

Done the water thing on my Model T a few times. Sure cleans things up!