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GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

disappearing coolant?

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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 01:34 PM
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Default disappearing coolant?

Every so often I look into my coolant reservoir to see it is empty even though I filled it to the top...no overheating, and I can't find any leaks anywhere. Does anyone else have this issue? It makes me paranoid, but has never given me any issues..
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 05:04 PM
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it could be a defective radiator cap,blown intake manifold,loose radiator hose,bad water pump seal or a tiny pin hole in one of your hoses just check it out if not get a pressure test at a shop ..most likely ur radiator cap is old and needs to replaced
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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i would check your hoses and if you smell anything sweet (leaking head gasket)
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 11:00 PM
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head gasket would be bad.

not saying this is good and not for long term but pour a little radiator stop leak in for a cheap fix.
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 07:13 AM
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hmm...no sweet smell of any sort...matter of fact...I checked it yesterday after I filled it the second time, and the level is exactly the same as when I topped it off. Is it possible when I bought the car that there wasn't enough coolant in when i topped it off the first time? Since not it does not appear to be losing anymore after 2 1/2 weeks, I assume the reservoir was just really low (glad it didn't overheat!)
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 06:28 PM
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if it has stopped going low, you probably had air in lines or was low, just keep an eye on it, white smoke from tailpipe may mean blown headgasket....sell it !!
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 11:59 AM
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I have the same thing. No smoke, steam nada. Coolant keeps disappearing don't know where its going I checked everything except head gasket and intake manifold gasket.
Did new cap. How do i find out if its a head gasket without cracking the motor open to do exploritory surgery?
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 12:58 PM
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Check the oil and look for chocolate milkshake type crap. This would show that the coolant and oil have mixed.
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 01:05 PM
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mmmmm chocolate milkshake sound good
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by blazallday
mmmmm chocolate milkshake sound good
lmao! You can always take the car to a shop and have the coolant system pressure tested.
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by sanjikun
Every so often I look into my coolant reservoir to see it is empty even though I filled it to the top...no overheating, and I can't find any leaks anywhere. Does anyone else have this issue? It makes me paranoid, but has never given me any issues..
You sure its not coming out of the top of the reservoir? I notice on my GS400the overflow hose/cap area at the top of the reservoir seems to leak a little of the red Toyo Coolant here and there. It leaves a crusty/foamy dried pinkish residue all over the top, which is just under where the stock intake snorkel is.
At first glance I thought the top tank of the radiator was beginning to leak but after cleaning it up mulitple times its definitely the top reservoir cap area, that for some reason leaks a little, although not enough to drain the entire tank?
I agree with Eyekutr, you probably just had air in the lines from a previous flush/drain&fill job. Keep an eye on it and if you don't have to add anymore I wouldn't sweat it. Overall these cars are pretty damn solid.
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 04:14 PM
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mine was low and my water pump was leaking, right on time tho as i was at about 85k and was able to get the pump fixed through my after market warranty
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