Burning a LOT of coolant?

awdsubaru · Post by **awdsubaru** » 17 Jan 2013, 20:53

So my '01 V70 2.4t was low on coolant last week. I started the car and got the Low coolant warning light. I looked, and sure enough the reservoir was just below the minimum line. I replaced the rad about a month ago, and since then, I hadn't lost any coolant, and I thought all was fine. So I topped up the coolant, and went about my week, when the other night the low coolant light was on again. I filled the reservoir again, and have repeated that every 2-3 days since. I am now going through a gallon of coolant every 3 days or so.

There is no signs of the coolant anywhere to be found.

1. Nothing on the ground
2. No signs of it anywhere with the new rad connections, water pump was replaced 6 months ago
3. Pulled the carpet back, and inspected the heater core. No leaks, no smell
4. Pulled all the spark plugs. All are the same colour, there isn't 1 plug that is shiny and clean indicating a leak
5. Pressure tested the cylinders. All were the same and good.
6. Checked the oil, it looks fine and is at the right level.
7. Checked the trans fluid, and it appears fine as well.

So I am thinking it must be a head gasket, or possibly a cracked head. Is there anything I haven't thought of?
A gallon of coolant every few days obviously is pointing to a expensive repair. The head gasket is the cheaper repair of what I think it could be, but I have read that if you do the head gasket, you should send the head out for a inspection to make sure it is straight or for a possible rebuild.

Any suggestions before I start to do the head gasket?
Thanks.

Post by **JDS60R** » 17 Jan 2013, 21:48

Add some coolant dye and check the system. If no result ,then check the coolant for hydrocarbons. You will find it.

awdsubaru · Post by **awdsubaru** » 17 Jan 2013, 22:24

Can the turbo be eating the coolant?

Post by **JDS60R** » 17 Jan 2013, 22:42

Yes, the center housing can be cracked, the lines may have a leak etc.
You will find it with the dye

Post by **rmmagow** » 18 Jan 2013, 07:03

If it were the head gasket and it was leaking into the cylinders I would expect clouds of white smoke out of the exhaust when first starting up.

awdsubaru · Post by **awdsubaru** » 18 Jan 2013, 12:31

No white smoke. There are no obvious indicators as to where the coolant is going. I'm thinking a small hairline crack in the head/and or gasket. I'm also curious if the turbo could be eating that much coolant.

Post by **xHeart** » 18 Jan 2013, 12:40

This is a lot of coolant disappearing with no trace. Are you sure it is a gallon every three days?
Was it filled properly after the radiator job?

awdsubaru · Post by **awdsubaru** » 18 Jan 2013, 14:28

Every 2-3 days the coolant reservoir is empty. Every day I'm topping it up. By the third day, I've gone through a gallon jug.
There's no smell. No signs on the ground. No white smoke from the tailpipe. I'm completely stumped.

awdsubaru · Post by **awdsubaru** » 18 Jan 2013, 14:41

xHeart wrote:This is a lot of coolant disappearing with no trace. Are you sure it is a gallon every three days?
Was it filled properly after the radiator job?

The rad did burp for a day or two, and I had to top it up. But I replaced the rad about a month ago, and the disappearing coolant started about a week ago.

Post by **JDS60R** » 24 Jan 2013, 14:00

Any update ??? Did you find it with the dye?