Disappearing Coolant

Flyn Sy

Flyn Sy

Damn Qwik Old Guy
Ok, guys. I think that the Flyn Sy is more like the Ghost Ship Lollipop. My coolant disappears at an alarming rate, 1/2 gallon every 100 miles or so. I say disappears because
there is no trace as to where it's going. Here's what's been done so far:

- Visual inspection for obvious leaks. Block, water pump, freeze plugs, heater core, hoses, turbo coolant lines, etc. No coolant in oil or signs of coolant in trans fluid.

- Used a scope to check around bell housing. Checked the chassis to see if any streaking of any type. Zip, nada, nyet, no thing!

- 48 hour pressure test on cooling system. Lost less than a pound of pressure.

- CO2 test on coolant system showed normal. No CO2 in system.

- Scope showed no misfiring.

- Visual plug inspection showed nothing out of the ordinary.

- Compression test showed all cylinders between 160-165 lbs

- No idle or driveability issues. Truck runs strong.

This is the second major ghost issue I've had over the past couple of months. The first, if you remember, was the TPS problem, now this :banghead:. I have no hair left to pull out, having lost all of it with the TPS thing, now this . WTF, and I being punished for all of my transgressions I thought I had gotten away with? Any help from you guys and gals, would really be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
ChiPhoon

ChiPhoon

Chicago Typhoon!
Re: Disappearing Coolant

not running to hot at all? notice any more then usual overflow levels?
when you say 1/2 gallon every 100 miles that's excessive for sure.
what about driving it like 10 miles then letting it idle for awhile watching the temps and thermostat cycles and see if the levels drop, is your reservoir empty when you become that low? if your leaking when your driving sometimes hard to find traces since it can leak and travel down with your speed in hidden spots drip/mist out or dry up,
 
Flyn Sy

Flyn Sy

Damn Qwik Old Guy
Re: Disappearing Coolant

Cooling system is stock. New radiator at 3500 miles (new motor at same time). My normal running temp is about 150 deg, according to my Scanmaster. Driving on freeway temp normal. Pulled off and temp began rising pretty rapidly at a stop sign, up to about 220. Once I started driving again temp fell back to about 185-190. Seemed to me that the coolant might be low and the temp was bouncing around because of the water pump turning at different stop & go driving speeds. After getting home and letting it cool down, I replace approx. a gallon of coolant. Subsequent to that, I started checking the fluid every time I drove it, whether 5 miles or 25 miles. Each time I have to replace anywhere between a cup of coolant or a quart, depending on how far I drive. BTW, I check on a daily basis for signs of moisture anywhere, or a downright leak

Norm, I thought that with no driveability issues, good equal compression, no CO2 in the radiator, and clean oil, that would just about eliminated a head or head gasket. Am I wrong? I getting too old for this shit.
 
Still-a-6

Still-a-6

Donating Member
Re: Disappearing Coolant

I had a similar issue with a supercharged nissan titan. It would lose coolant at almost the same rate. The cause was a cracked intercooler on the intake and it would burn the coolant off on the #8 cylinder. Finally it caused enough damage to the cylinder that I had to replace the engine. I rebuilt the supercharger and new intercooler. Problem solved 10k later.
 
"Nickel"

"Nickel"

S-Series Syco
Re: Disappearing Coolant

Is the turbo good? Could it be sucking it right out the pipe? You could get some UV Leak Detector Dye...
 
B

blackty

Active member
Re: Disappearing Coolant

Yeah, don't discard a leak that burns off before it can puddle. Water pump weep hole or pump shaft itself. Happened to me once...Jim
 
"Nickel"

"Nickel"

S-Series Syco
Re: Disappearing Coolant

Still-a-6 said:
I had a similar issue with a supercharged nissan titan. It would lose coolant at almost the same rate. The cause was a cracked intercooler on the intake and it would burn the coolant off on the #8 cylinder. Finally it caused enough damage to the cylinder that I had to replace the engine. I rebuilt the supercharger and new intercooler. Problem solved 10k later.
Click to expand...

This is a goooood place to start! :tup: Pop the upper I/C off..
 
Flyn Sy

Flyn Sy

Damn Qwik Old Guy
Re: Disappearing Coolant

"Nickel" said:
Is the turbo good? Could it be sucking it right out the pipe? You could get some UV Leak Detector Dye...[/quote
Brand new turbo. Less than 3500 miles. Can't smell burning coolant in the exhaust, but will try some detector dye. Thanks
Click to expand...
 
gstacky

gstacky

Member
Re: Disappearing Coolant

My guess is going to be intake gaskets, and it's going into the engine and burning off. It can't be the intercooler, our system is completely stand alone. I don't think there is any place for coolant to leak in the turbo, it's its own chamber in there strictly for cooling. Has to be getting into the engine and burning, which leaves intake gasket or head gasket, and head gasket should be very noticeable!
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Disappearing Coolant

IIRC, Don W. had a similar issue. It turned out he had a cracked cylinder wall that was only open when the engine was at operating temp. Worth considering.

Have you sat idling and looked at puddles/ leaks at temp? Rev the engine, get more water pressure and see if there is more moisture out the exhaust. I like the UV dye idea. Not familiar with how to use it but sounds promising.

Are your AFRs more rich at all?
 
Syclone#2960

Syclone#2960

What ever it takes!!
Re: Disappearing Coolant

You should check your oil to confirm its not getting in there some how by letting the truck sit over night and slowly crack open (do not remove) the oil drain plug in the AM. If water is present it will come out before the oil.
Head studs can leak water at a slow rate if you dont use a good thread sealant like hi-temp loctite.
 
C

crariley

Donating Member
Re: Disappearing Coolant

You mentioned you checked your heater core but have you checked to see if your passenger side floor board carpet is wet? I wasn't aware I had an issue until I was cleaning the truck and noticed it was wet while vacuuming. Coolant level was about 1/2 gallon low as well so the leak from the heater core was not that bad yet. I replaced the heater core this past weekend and all is well now.
 
SY2932

SY2932

Administrator
Re: Disappearing Coolant

If you can *smell* coolant, there is a leak someplace that a UV dye would probably help you track it down. Otherwise as already mentioned, it's going to be a gasket, cylinder head or intake manifold or possibly a cracked head or cylinder wall.

Still-a-6 said:
I had a similar issue with a supercharged nissan titan. It would lose coolant at almost the same rate. The cause was a cracked intercooler on the intake and it would burn the coolant off on the #8 cylinder. Finally it caused enough damage to the cylinder that I had to replace the engine. I rebuilt the supercharger and new intercooler. Problem solved 10k later.
Click to expand...

The intercooler and engine coolant are two separate systems in sytys.
 
Flyn Sy

Flyn Sy

Damn Qwik Old Guy
Re: Disappearing Coolant

I did check the carpeting but found no wet spots or signs of coolant. I also did what Syclone#2960 suggested and drained about a quart of oil, and found no sign of coolant. I'm just about to give up and drive this turd, and just keep putting fluid in it. Some other symptom is bound to show up.......eventually. I just don't want to tear this engine down again:(.
 
fivetodrive

fivetodrive

CRISPY
Re: Disappearing Coolant

Check the plugs and see if one is cleaner than the rest. if one is then you have narrowed it down to that cylinder and can then do some tests at that point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top