Coolant disappearing

[Jimmy_hayashi]

Guess what..

 

My coolant disappearance is not yet solved.. tan chong said can try to do a head gasket change at 1.6k.. but not guarantee problem will be solved..

 

What should I do.. i am at the verge of selling this car off.. too ex to maintain so many repairs over these few months..

 

 

 

I just did mine after reading all the responses.

My level is constant for now.

Pm me if u want the workshop address.

No guarantee however can seek 2nd opinion.

[Adrianli]

Guess what..

 

My coolant disappearance is not yet solved.. tan chong said can try to do a head gasket change at 1.6k.. but not guarantee problem will be solved..

 

What should I do.. i am at the verge of selling this car off.. too ex to maintain so many repairs over these few months..

 

Sell the car lah. Save yourself the trouble. Let the next willing owner to fix it.

[Charmaine12]

I wanted to.. but i need a car to ferry my kid.

I am asking from another thread what car is good for a budget driver like me.

I wanted to.. but i need a car to ferry my kid.

I am asking from another thread what car is good for a budget driver like me.

[Fuelsaver]

Guess what..

 

My coolant disappearance is not yet solved.. tan chong said can try to do a head gasket change at 1.6k.. but not guarantee problem will be solved..

 

What should I do.. i am at the verge of selling this car off.. too ex to maintain so many repairs over these few months..

try k-seal at 30 bucks -

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?app=sgcarstore&req=showprod&product=62594

 

if it works, do share ur experience.

 

but if u feel uneasy, don't try. i oso unsure if it works, but based on youtube video n other forum review, i'd give it a try if i've no other cost effective options / opinions.

[Sdexxxxd]

had the same coolant lost problem, and was found to be the top cover of radiator leaking.

decided to just replace the top & bottom plastic part.

total damage $290 bucks.

Car is close to scrap in 2 months time, but no choice as I needed the car to fetch family around - considering the taxi fares and the inconvenience.

Done over the Caltex petrol kiosk service station at Braddell CTE exit.

Quite satisfied with the personnel who helped to troubleshoot it.

 

[Fuelsaver]

had the same coolant lost problem, and was found to be the top cover of radiator leaking.

decided to just replace the top & bottom plastic part.

total damage $290 bucks.

Car is close to scrap in 2 months time, but no choice as I needed the car to fetch family around - considering the taxi fares and the inconvenience.

Done over the Caltex petrol kiosk service station at Braddell CTE exit.

Quite satisfied with the personnel who helped to troubleshoot it.

 

the ws in caltex braddell? dunno if mr. tan the boss anot, but he told me his ws was there 10+ yr ago; prev he situated at east side iirc.

 

my first opinion of him is old school type but he n team there quite ok, felt like won't anyhow ketok.

[Baal]

As Caltax does not carry 'green' coolant, would like to check with the experts here, if its ok for Korean cars to use red/orange coolant? The package states that iirc, its phosphate and silicate free which conforms to the needs of conti & jap cars.

I am currently using Green coolant.

[Adrianli]

As Caltax does not carry 'green' coolant, would like to check with the experts here, if its ok for Korean cars to use red/orange coolant? The package states that iirc, its phosphate and silicate free which conforms to the needs of conti & jap cars.

 

I am currently using Green coolant.

 

I dont think the colour of the coolant matters. It is just an indication rather than being colourless.

 

 

BTW my korean car coolant is pink colour, last coolant change by AD.

[Yuan]

Coolant does evaporate and it is not a closed loop system. The only closed loop is the refrigerant. Every 2-3 months, some coolant will evaporate and need to to top up a certain amount depending on the make and model. So long there is no coloured liquid when car is running, there is no leak and topping up is necessary or the engine will overheat and kaput.

 

If topping up coolant is too often, i.e. once every month or two months, then it is advisable to bring the car to a competent workshop for a more detailed check or diagnosis.

[Yeobh]

As Caltax does not carry 'green' coolant, would like to check with the experts here, if its ok for Korean cars to use red/orange coolant? The package states that iirc, its phosphate and silicate free which conforms to the needs of conti & jap cars.

 

I am currently using Green coolant.

 

No need to worry about the coolant colour , just make sure that the coolant is Ethylene or Propylene Glycol. EG is more poisonous and PG is slighlty more eviromental friendly.

Most Asia cars still use EG., to be save use Asian make coolant for Asian cars. Do Not try to put in European make coolant designed for Europe as most of the water over there is slightly hard.

[Baal]

Thanks Adrian and Yeo.

[Kb27]

Korean car is quite easy on coolant.

Any cheap coloured one will probably work without much issues.

Some people use Toyota red/pink on it as well.

 

Just avoid fancy European type.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze

IAT, OAT, HOAT...they drive you crazy.

[Baal]

Thanks KB. :)

[Cmtan1]

I am not a mechanic but I know engineering knowledge enough to provide some inputs and the provide some understanding.

 

1. Air conditioning cooling and engine cooling systems are 2 separate systems

- Air conditioning radiator basically cools the refrigerant by air

- Engine cooling systems uses coolant passing through the engine block. Coolant is then cool by air when passed thru the radiator

- The confusion is that the 2 radiators are stacked next to each other at the front of the car

 

For air-con system

What is the difference when setting a different temp?

- In the air con, there is a clutch which will engage the compressor. The compressor drives the refrigerant (not coolant). When the temp is reached, the clutch will be disengaged. This means that when a lower temp is set, the clutch will be engage for a longer period before disengagement. Each time the clutch is engage it would tap power from the engine causing a drag to the engine. Lower temp means longer drag to the engine.

 

2. Engine cooling system

- Coolant flows through the engine following this flow circuit via tubing

2.1 Coolant held at reservoir

2.2 Driven by water pump (which is driven from the engine belt system)

2.3 Flow into engine block

2.4 Engine block into radiator (for cooling the coolant

2.5 Flows back to reservoir in 2.1

 

For the loss of coolant any of the possibilities can happen from 2.1 to 2.4

Possible causes

2.1 Leaky reservoir (eg. cracks)

2.2 Leaky water pump

2.3 Leaking engine seal

2.4 Leaking radiator or leaky pressure release caps

2.5 Leaking tubings

 

To find the root cause, you will need to eliminate each possible cause.

These are symptoms you can look for to narrow to the most likely cause

2.1 Leaky reservoir - Look for cracks

2.2 Leaky water pump - Look for leaks or fine coolant sprays on the bonet or surrounding in the axis water pump rotation

2.3 Leaking engine seal - Look for white smokes when starting the engine when it is cool (morning)

2.4 Leaking radiator or leaky pressure release caps - check for visual leak from the radiator

2.5 Leaking tubings - check for visual leak from tubing

 

The root cause can be found. It just take some effort to go through the elimination which a proper mechanic will do the same. I hope it helps you too.

 

Is refrigerant and coolant a closed system?

Answer: Technically Yes, but it is imperfect closed system. There could be micro leaks from joints and fitting. For coolant, there is a pressure release valve which will cause overheated coolant to be evaporated. Some loss of fluid is expected but it should not be too much. A 10% drop in the reservoir (highest to lowest marker) every month should be of concern.

[F355]

My rule of thumb is if some coolant needs to be topped up during normal service ( 10k every 6 months ) it is OK ; but if you need to top up yourself in addition to the servicing period then there is a leak somewhere.

[Yeobh]

It's best to check the the existing coolant mixture ratio before adding in the coolant chemical or distilled water. Regular adding of distilled water will change the optimum ratio mix of 50 to 50 % . Any ratio above 70 to 30% may result in premature failure of cooling components.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Yeobh

[Eddiewrx]

 

If no external leaks, most likely, internal leak. Head gasket is the main suspect. If too much coolant accumulate in the cylinder and u try to start the engine = engine piang.

 

Mine is the same problem topup coolant once a week...now everyday topup water...

waiting for overhaul...gasket problem...

[13177]

If the water inside the radiator becomes brown colour, can I still drive the car?