97-850 Low Coolant

RAS69 · Post by **RAS69** » 18 Jul 2006, 19:18

It seems that my wife's 97 850 needs to have the coolant level top'd off at least 1 a month. The car is not smoking or seem to be using the coolant. I am thinking the head gasket might need replaced. Is this normal for a 97 850 with only 101k miles? We have owned this car since new and never had any problems.

Thanks,
Rick

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 Jul 2006, 20:19

Check the coolant over-flow reservoir (plastic thing up against the passenger side fender under the hood) with the plastic cap on it. Sometimes the plastic cap will develop a small hairline crack, just enough to loose about the amount of coolant you speak of. Also check under the reservoir for similar cracks. Putting a paper towel down under it and then driving the car...checking the paper towel after the drive may reveal some leakage. Don't assume right off that it's loosing coolant through the engine's head.