They say there is no leak

[Dually]

I went to my Jeep dealer and I mentioned to them that I might have a coolant leak.They pressure tested the system and found no leaks.When the Jeeps temperture is hot I added coolant to the resrvoir tank to the full mark thinking it would stay there.Over time the coolant level has been going down slightly.Is it normal for a vehicle to use coolant?Where is the coolant going?My Jeep is a 2006 with the Hemi and the coolant does not need to be replaces until 100,000 miles.Thanks Joe

 

[Chris142]

My 02 lost coolant with GO-5. I switched to old green and it has stayed the same level.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Take a used oil analysis and see if you have any coolant in the oil.

It would be worth the $25 (incl postage) to settle your mind.

Take care, bill

 

[Lonnie]

Coolant can leak at times other than when your vehicle is in the hands of the mechanic. Some leaks are very difficult to track down. As suggested a used oil analysis will be a good starting place.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I've heard of lots of mysterious coolant leaks on late model jeeps, and I have no idea what causes it. My sister was set on getting a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee but it had the low coolant lamp on, so I told her to stay away.

 

[MrCritical]

Add dye to the cooling system.

 

[widman]

Mine used some for about a year before the hole got big enough to spurt enough to see. Lifted the hood at a gas station 3 hours into an 8 hour drive and got a thin spray in the face.
Chopped an inch off the hose and put it back on. Never another problem

 

[mfisher1967]

I periodically have to add coolant to both of my Honda vehicles (2006 Pilot and 2007 Civic LX). Before we purchased the Pilot my wife drove a 1998 CR-V, which we also purchased new, it needed coolant added from time to time as well. Granted, I typically only have to add perhaps a 1/4 cup every few months, but there is a small loss. This appears to be normal, so if your situation is the same I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Master ACiD]

thats not normal. i have a 98 crv also. i dont add coolant to it and the fill level is awalys right on the full mark, even after years. same thing with my sisters 98 civic. it does not use a drop.

come to think of it none of my vehicles or family vehicles do.

 

[mechtech2]

Maybe after a year of two, the hot coolant will evaporate somewhat in the reservoir.
But it should not be a chronic thing.
Get everything in writing from the dealer, including your observations and complaints, and their diagnosis.

 

[alanu]

Weeping waterpumps can be a possibility in any make. I'd look for residue at the water pump bypass hole.

I can see all these metal laminate type head gaskets leaking. Any warpage in the heads will cause coolant leaks internally and externally. Old graphite style head gaskets are oldschool but more forgiving.

If a vehicle is under warranty you better ---- and complain NOW. Mechtech2 is so on the ball regarding getting everything in writing. Verbal complaints that are not documented will bite you in the arse and future warranty issues will be declined.

 

[Shannow]

I think the pump up coolant leak test are garbage for the majority of the weeps that we see.

They pump air into what's essentially an "accumulator", and monitor the decay rate to determine "leakage". All in 10 minutes.

Say there's a litre of free air capacity (I've seen them pump up the expansion tank on a pressurised expansion).

They've pumped an extra litre of air into the system to bring it up to 15psi.

If they hold less than a psi drop over the next ten minutes (patient mechanic), that's 1/4 cup of coolant lost in 10 minutes.

That's got to show somewhere.

I don't trust those tests a single second (nor 10 minutes).

 

[Lonnie]

Get some tablets from a GM dealer and drop them in your coolant and see if the problem goes away. These tablets are magic. They use them on the assembly line and they really work to stop very small hard to detect leaks.

 

[mechtech2]

Also, pressure testing a system that is warm/hot will naturally decline in pressure, as it cools during the test.
Pressure testing for slow leaks/seeps is tough to do accurately.
A piece of tape on the coolant line of the reservoir is great idea. Do it cold, where you normally park your car.

 

[another Todd]

The "tablets" are the same as bars leak tablets. You could use bars leak pellets and have the same good results. Magic---no. An excellant product---yes. Used on some manufacturers assembly lines to stop small leaks and warrantee claims.

 

[Aldaris]

Quote:

---

I went to my Jeep dealer and I mentioned to them that I might have a coolant leak.They pressure tested the system and found no leaks.

---

There is no leak whatsoever!

 

[MrCritical]

Did they say "there is no leak" or " we can't duplicate the leak"? Two different statements.