burning coolant?

HKS20DET · Mar 24th, 2003, 11:06 PM

i filled my coolant up to specified level about a week ago. today i check and there is about an inch left in the resevoir (this has happened a couple times now). my thermostat is stuck open, would this have anything to do with my coolant problem? am i burning it or what? i dont see smoke comin out my tail pipe. i think it grew legs and walked away.

Katana200sx · Mar 24th, 2003, 11:12 PM

maybe u have a leak as well??i dont know much about coolant systems though

AVERAGE · Mar 24th, 2003, 11:47 PM

probably doesnt relate to u but i had the same problem with my car about a year ago, but i could definetly see black smoke everytime i started my car bellowing out of the tailpipe until it warmed up. i changed the thermostat and never had another issue. dont know about the ga .,.

By Nature · Mar 25th, 2003, 06:38 AM

it might have overflowed from the tank...
also check your oil for what the call 'milk shake' symptoms

HKS20DET · Mar 25th, 2003, 08:31 AM

nothin dripping on the ground. and i checked my oil already. so the thermostat might do the trick?

azkicker0027 · Mar 25th, 2003, 10:23 PM

when coolant burns, it burns as white smoke, or steam, and loosing coolant causes overheating......
black smoke on the other hand is fuel being too rich and burns with less air....
bluish on the other hand is oil from valve stem seals, piston rings, and crankcase ventilation.....
also do some cylinder leakdown tests for possible head gasket leaks....

Sentra_Industies · Mar 27th, 2003, 09:21 PM

How would coolant "burn"? Coolent is water based, it can evaporate, but it cant burn.
If you know your thermostat is stuck open, replace it. It costs $8 at Napa and takes 20 minutes to change if you DONT know what your doing.

U prolly have a leak. Or you blew your headgasket. Did you over heat it???? If so your head gasket is toast and you got some fun ahead of you

HKS20DET · Mar 27th, 2003, 10:47 PM

i have the thermostat i just need to get my lazy ass up to do it. had to do my half shaft last weekendand that took up most my time, now i just need to get this done.

-well i filled the coolant up 3 days ago again. now its almost gone again.

-never overheated at all. not even close.

AVERAGE · Mar 28th, 2003, 03:17 AM

Mar 29th, 2003, 10:36 PM

There is a great possibility that you have missed a leak in a hose. Check beneath the intake for a small (1/4 - 5/16) hose with coolant residue on it. The leak never leaves a puddle because it drips onto the engine and exhaust. It took me four months to find the leak on my car. It is easiest to see if you are under the car just to the driver's side of center. When you replace the hose, pay a little extra for fuel injection hose - costs a little more, but this one's a real mother to get to.