Fluids and LubricantsMotor oil, transmission oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, blinker fluid... wait, there is no blinker fluid. Technical discussion and analysis of the different lubricants we use in our cars.
hey guys/gals,
my wife got a '96 gxe with ~148k miles. since last summer, her max has been losing coolant slowly and needing coolant refilled (~1/3 qrt) to the reservoir once a month to bring the level close to the max mark (cold engine). since i only do drain & refill every year with prestone LF coolant for about 5 years, we recently had the whole cooling system flushed and filled with Nissan LF coolant at a dealership. the situation doesn't getting any better - still losing coolant slowly. is this normal or i am worrying too much? the service guy said pressure test is ok, and there is no leak. as far as i can tell, there is no evidence that coolant got sucked in and mixed with oil - no white stuff on oil filler cap - as others told us to check. the max still has its original water pump in it (and no leak near the cover). if the wp is going bad, would it cause coolant loss? i will appreciate any of your insights.
Coolant loss is NOT normal. My 2000 max has zero loss, but my Caravan, well, that's a diff story.
Seems odd that a pressure test checks ok w/ that much coolant loss....Hmmmm. Maybe burning it? Get an oil sample analyzed? I'm no pro on this, but you might check into an oil sample. I think that you could poss be burning it. Somebody w/ more knowledge on this will be of more help, but if I were you I'd get an oil sample tested and dont rely on just visual indicators in the oil (i.e. foaming).
Coolant loss is NOT normal. My 2000 max has zero loss, but my Caravan, well, that's a diff story.
Seems odd that a pressure test checks ok w/ that much coolant loss....Hmmmm. Maybe burning it? Get an oil sample analyzed? I'm no pro on this, but you might check into an oil sample. I think that you could poss be burning it. Somebody w/ more knowledge on this will be of more help, but if I were you I'd get an oil sample tested and dont rely on just visual indicators in the oil (i.e. foaming).
i would give it a try as the next oil change is coming soon. thanks.
I think minimal amounts of the coolant lowering especially looking at the resoivor is normal. But if it drinks it crazy, then it's not right. Also, if you see white smoke, then that's bad as well.
i went to an independent shop to get an second opinion today.
the tech showed me that when he increased the radiator pressure, there was coolant dripping to the floor from the water pump. but the wp cover area was still dry; the coolant has been disappearing slowing un-detected. obviously the previous tech missed that or he didn't do the job right. so i went ahead with the water pump replacement.
Get an oil sample analyzed? ... if I were you I'd get an oil sample tested and dont rely on just visual indicators in the oil (i.e. foaming).
You seem to have found your problem. But this suggestion remains a good one -- if you care about your vehicle.
I sent an oil sample in on my pickup truck (Dodge) and found that although the oil was good, there was antifreeze in the oil. Turns out that the heads had cracks that were allowing antifreeze to leak into the motor oil. Not enough to cause foaming, but enough to mess up the motor oil and eventually the whole engine. If I had not had this test done, I would still be driving with antifreeze in my oil -- and the engine would be wearing out much faster.
The cost of the lab test is not that much, and the knowledge that the oil is OK is certainly worth the price.
You seem to have found your problem. But this suggestion remains a good one -- if you care about your vehicle.
I sent an oil sample in on my pickup truck (Dodge) and found that although the oil was good, there was antifreeze in the oil. Turns out that the heads had cracks that were allowing antifreeze to leak into the motor oil. Not enough to cause foaming, but enough to mess up the motor oil and eventually the whole engine. If I had not had this test done, I would still be driving with antifreeze in my oil -- and the engine would be wearing out much faster.
The cost of the lab test is not that much, and the knowledge that the oil is OK is certainly worth the price.
that's a good point. knowing a coolant might get mixed with the oil, i also asked the shop to replace the motor oil after the wp job. my wife and i really enjoy driving this car, even with our 2-year-old on long trips, and we try to keep it for some time. given the car has almost clocked 150k, i will request an oil sample kit from Blackstone.
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