Coolant Leak

[The Dutchman]

yesterday after washing the car, i decided to check the coolant because my car eats through coolant. I filled it up about a month ago, and now its empty. i cant go on like this, its so annoying.

any suggestions?

[KenC]

Is there coolant in your oil? Is there white smoke out of your exhuast pipe?

Do you ever see it leak onto the ground?

[The Dutchman]

never saw it leak on the ground, i park on this little dirt parch next to my parents driveway, i never noticed any white smoke. Ill steal their spot, fill the coolant up and report back tomorrow.

[KenC]

Report back. You're either burning it or it's leaking. And since you're not seeing any white smoke, I'd guess that it's leaking.

[The Dutchman]

there was no residue on the driveway, at least none that i could see.

[Jparkr]

Start the car, open the hood and work the throttle with your hand.

Sometime coolant leaks only leak under pressure. This could be the case.

Search for a spray of coolant comming from the waterpump and all the hoses you can get too. I bet it leaks out as you drive due to this...

Also if you can barrow or have a pressure tester use it (dont start the car though). Pump 15-20 PSI into your cooling system and youll find the cause for sure.

[Court M3]

not to crap the thread, but having the same problem Just changed the oil and no coolant in it. no water on ground anywhere. Blowing white smoke out the tail pipe though. Any suggestions? Headgasket maybe?

[Jparkr]

head gasket is correct.

[strad]

I discovered three small leaks on my M42 that you'd be extremely hard pressed to find without removing the intake manifold and water pump pulley. Plus the plastic coolant pipe was ready to fracture and cause a disaster. So you might have to start taking s**t off if you don't find it any other way.

You know, one place to check on that motor would be the hose connection at the thermostat housing -- hose goes to throttle body heater. Mine has significant corrosion and I've read of others that have broken clean off.