Losing Coolant - Head gasket? PCV?

kiddynamite · Post by **kiddynamite** » 14 Dec 2008, 21:26

Hey folks; been lurking for a while and the site and forum have been a great help to me over the last few months.

I have a '95 850, base model (normally aspirated), with about 196K miles on it. I bought it about 5 months back, with about 192K on it, and I've been progressively dealing with issues that have cropped up.

My issue right now is as such--
For the past 3 weeks or so, my coolant level light has been coming on once or twice a week. When I check the overflow tank, it is consistently low, and I then top it off.
It's now happened twice in the past 3 days, and I'm getting somewhat concerned. I haven't had time to try to run down a leak, but today I tried running the engine with the dipstick out and got some (but not too much) white smoke coming out of it. The oil isn't frothy or milky at all, so I don't think it's a head gasket. Could it be the PCV system? Radiator leak?
I've got a 160-mile trip to the airport coming up in the near future and I'm getting to be somewhat concerned that it won't make it there and back.

thanks,

anand

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Dec 2008, 21:32

anand,
It appears that you may have 2 issues going on simultaneously. If your car was properly warmed up and you had white smoke coming out of your dipstick tube (not condensation) then yes, PCV and you should deal with it sometime soon...a clogged PCV will cause your engine seals to begin leaking (expensive repair). The other issue is probably not related. I would think you have a leak somewhere as you do not think you are burning the coolant...but just in case, check your exhaust to see if it smells sweet...sort of like syrup. If it doesn't then start checking all of your connector on the hoses as well as your over-flow tank...lift it out and see if it's wet underneath...it could even have a small crack or the hose at the bottom is bad. I had a leak once and it was at the connector from the small hose on that expansion tank to the thermostat housing...check there....look for wet and green. I hope you figure it out.
-MIJ

StarmanDXE · Post by **StarmanDXE** » 14 Dec 2008, 21:58

Just wanted to say that the above diagnosis sounds pretty good.

Also, where are you located? (Perhaps amend your profile? Top right: User Control Panel -> Profile [on the left under "Options"])The radiator in my '93 850 was replaced a few years back. I believe it rusted through. But, this car has spent many years (including winters) in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. If you're down south, rust damage is less likely...

Best of luck with the repair!

kiddynamite · Post by **kiddynamite** » 15 Dec 2008, 12:19

Thanks for info; here's what I was able to check out this morning before coming in to work:
Warmed the engine up and revved it with the dipstick out. Definitely something coming out of there; I held a little piece of glass over the dipstick tube while my roommate revved the engine and I didn't get any moisture condensing onto the glass, so I'm pretty sure it's the dreaded white smoke. I've taken a look at the photo walkthrough of the PCV overhaul, and it seems pretty well over my head; I'll probably bring it into my tech to have the system cleaned out and and have the oil & flame traps replaced.

I also did a cursory examination of the coolant overflow tank and related connectors & hoses. Everything looks ok, no obvious loose connections or leaks. Didn't see any suspicious moisture in the general area either, and while I didn't have time to pull the overflow tank out and inspect it, I was able to reach around and feel most of its outer surface and i didn't feel anything that felt like a leak.

Right now I'm crossing my fingers that it'll get me from Austin to Houston and back over the holidays; once I get back I should have some time I can commit to figuring out what's going on.

thanks again

anand

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 15 Dec 2008, 16:17

If you take the trip, take some coolant with you in a bottle (pre-mixed with distilled water) and watch your temperature sensor religiously as you drive....also, check the over-flow tank each time you stop. Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you....Merry Christmas and safe travels!

mcp · Post by **mcp** » 16 Dec 2008, 21:58

"losing coolant"

First rule out the easier stuff. Whenever my 850's or S70's low coolant light starts coming on, I have traced it to one of these.

1) Check the plastic expansion tank and hose for leaks. Are there crusty looking white deposits on, around or below the expansion tank? (Cap could be leaking as well)
2) Check the upper and lower radiator hose connections for leaks. (Squeeze the hose and watch for coolant to squirt out at either end.)
3) Heater core leaking (Check the carpets to see if they are damp or wet, especially the driver's side.)

james78 · Post by **james78** » 22 Dec 2008, 11:11

You should track down your leaking coolant. If it is not a head gasket, over heating the motor just once can cause failure of your head gasket. I just bought a 850 that this happened to, the previous owner over heated more than once and 3 weeks after i bought it the head gasket blew, and warped the head.

kiddynamite · Post by **kiddynamite** » 31 Dec 2008, 09:29

Hi folks, thanks for all the help. So here's where things stand at the moment:
I was out of town for about 2 weeks, and my car was parked in long-term parking at the airport. I was looking forward to being able to check under the car in the spot where it had been parked for an obvious wet spot- no such luck as it was pouring rain when I got back.
It's still losing coolant, but the source remains a mystery. The oil still looks clean, and the engine has never shown any signs of overheating (though I've taken to keeping a bottle of 50/50 in the trunk and topping it off as necessary.)
No apparent leaks in the reservoir, upper or lower hoses. No damp carpets anywhere. Nothing milky or frothy in the oil. I'm nearly stumped; if I can't figure it out on my day off on Friday, I'm gonna bring it in to my tech and see if he has any ideas.

StarmanDXE · Post by **StarmanDXE** » 31 Dec 2008, 09:41

Water pump maybe? Belts are due every 80k (I believe) and pump is usually done then. Maybe they didn't get the pump replaced (again?) at the 160k belt change and it's dying now at ~190k miles?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Dec 2008, 10:54

Timing belt on this car is at every 70K miles with water pump at its second (140K miles) as well as new tensioner, roller, pulley, serpentine belt, etc.