Losing coolant in an unusual way.

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bhm1712
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Losing coolant in an unusual way.

Post by bhm1712 » Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:15 pm

I'm losing coolant and I didn't know why until tonight!

I've been having to top up just a small amount each week. Tonight as soon as I parked up I popped the hood and found coolant on the subframe below the coolant bottle and the coolant bottle itself around the lid was wet and also around the bottles vent pipe.

No bubbles or excess pressure or boiling over. It's topped up to the full hot mark. Now if I depress the front suspension and bounce it a bit the coolant in the bottle sloshes out the cap and vent pipe! And spills onto the subframe. Is it ok to just ignore the marks on the bottle and maintain the level a bit lower?

Also, the bottle lid doesn't have a seal and its just a press fit so I was thinking of cutting a bit of cork sheet to size and pressing it into the lid. Do you think that will work?
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SUPERCHARGEDGTA

Re: Losing coolant in an unusual way.

Post by SUPERCHARGEDGTA » Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:50 pm

you could seal the lid but make sure you dont seal the vent, the header tank is not intended to hold presure

as long as there is coolant in the bottle whrn cold even if slightly below minimum it will be fine
have you been topping up when hot or cold?
you should check it cold, as the hot mark is a maximum not a recommended level

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bhm1712
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Posts: 2672
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 4:58 pm
Membership No: 20-607
Year: 2001
Model: Trans-Am WS6
Engine: 350
Name: Ian
Location: Nottingham
Location: Nottingham
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Re: Losing coolant in an unusual way.

Post by bhm1712 » Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:11 am

I've been checking when hot as it says FULL HOT so I've maintained it at that level when the engine is up to temp. When it's cold the level is at the FULL COLD mark. I won't seal the vent, just the cap. It is weird for me having the bottle mounted on the inner wing! Seems an awkward place to have it as its bound to move a lot!
Ian Hopkinson - Membership Manager & Forum Administrator
Northern England & Midlands Rep

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SUPERCHARGEDGTA

Re: Losing coolant in an unusual way.

Post by SUPERCHARGEDGTA » Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:09 am

cant remember where mine was

Big Chief
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Re: Losing coolant in an unusual way.

Post by Big Chief » Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:38 am

all generations of F-Body have the expansion bottle on the inner wings

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