My car is drinking water. About 2 cups a day. No leak.

[NemeGuero]

My car was overheating randomly and then would cool down after a few mins..
on my 7 mile commute to work.

So the first time it did it, we fixed it by pouring in 2 more cups of distilled water into the rad.

then 2 days later it started doing it again...
opened her up and poured in 2 more cups of water.

it was good for another day or 2 and now its back to temperature spikes and I would bet that if I opened up the radiator I would be able to pour 2 more cups of water in there..

SO, my car is drinking water.
There are no visible leaks..

WTF is going on?

[orion::S14]

How old is the radiator cap? (could be allowing it to escape as steam, at a slow rate)

Do you have an overflow, and does it have water in it?

??? - Brian

[NemeGuero]

I borrowed a friends Nismo cap that he has had for a while now I guess?

and yes the overflow does have water in it.

[silentstyle1]

Honestly the only thing i could think of to explain that would be that maybe you coolant temp sensor is going bad, and it's overheating, causing the fluid to empty out through the overflow. Cause you said there were no visible leaks right?

Keep me posted.

[jspaeth]

I think his ^ question was is there MORE water in the overflow.......as in does it look like maybe the missing water is now in the overflow.......

But I am sure that someone of your experience would have noticed that.

I am assuming you checked your oil.........if it was HG, you would be fucked already presumably.


HRMMMMMMMMM

Have you done all the standard HG checks (revving engine when it's cold with rad cap off to check for bubbles)?

The water can't just disappear right? Had you previously flushed and refilled the coolant.....could there have been air pockets that have just now managed to get filled up with water?

[murda-c]

Check headgasket...It might be going out your tailpipe.

[jspaeth]

If there is a leak in the HG that's causing it to go out through the exhaust, then presumably, he should see bubbles in the rad with the cap off upon revving, correct?

[NemeGuero]

No, there isn't more water in the overflow than when it wasn't overheating. I checked the oil and it seemed clean.

BTW, I'm not using the OE temp gauge, I have a digital one.

I was thinking it could have been an air pocket but now it seems like a 6 cup pocket of air seems highly unlikely.

the system was bled over 3 months ago and the problem just started occuring.

[NemeGuero]

If there is a leak in the HG that's causing it to go out through the exhaust, then presumably, he should see bubbles in the rad with the cap off upon revving, correct?

I would like to know if this is true.. or how else to check the hg without pulling the head..


Where is Russ when you need him?

[silentstyle1]

check your dipstick, or drain a little oil and look for coolant, that should tell you.

[mr.lonelys12]

could be going into your a/c

[mr.lonelys12]

not a/c, i ment your heating system. hit some hard turns and you might hear a water "sloshing" sound or even see water drip down.

[g6civcx]

I would like to know if this is true.. or how else to check the hg without pulling the head..


Where is Russ when you need him?

Russ doesn't care about you, but I am here. Does that make you feel better? :hs:

Any way, if you start seeing coolant puking out the tailpipe or milk in the oil then you know you have a really bad hg leak.

But smaller leaks won't show up as drastically, but you will still lose small amounts of coolant.

This is what I recommend you do.

First, make absolutely sure you bleed the coolant correctly. Park the car on a steep uphill and run the engine with the cap off. Quickly open and close the heater core hose. Sometimes air will get trapped in the heater core. Cracking the hose open and close quickly can help evacuate air and promote coolant flow.

Then you need to do a coolant pressure check. Any reputable garage can do it for you for like $20. They hook a gauge to the radiator and pressurize the system and check for leak. Also check the cap with the pressure gauge.

If everything checks out and there are no coolant leak, you need to do a compression and leakdown test.

Those are the best way without cracking the head open.

[bo2o]

hows your thermostat? take it out if you have one. cap is good forshure? maybe your friends is toast also.?

leak down test would be your best bet.

oh ya pressureized your rad to see if ne coolent leaks show up.

[g6civcx]

hows your thermostat? take it out if you have one. cap is good forshure?

For his symptoms I would not suspect a bad thermostat, but it's good to check your thermostat any way to make sure.

There is a slight chance that the thermostat is stuck closed slightly, causing coolant to boil and shoot out the overflow = coolant loss.

[NemeGuero]

I would kinda notice coolant shooting out the overflow right? like it steaming out or puddles or something, yah?

the overflow isn't overflowing though.. the water level seems constant in there..

I did a compression check the other day.

140 150 140 130

not the best I know but I also do have cometic HG and port& polish, dunno if those matter..
How do I crack open and closed the hose? Is that just sliding the climate control slider back and forth?

the thermo is 3 months old..

I guess I'll get it pressure tested tomorrow.

[g6civcx]

I would kinda notice coolant shooting out the overflow right? like it steaming out or puddles or something, yah?

Not necessarily. Sometimes it'll be just a small spew and not enough to notice.

the overflow isn't overflowing though.. the water level seems constant in there..

When coolant heats up it can actually spew out the overflow tube and then the level in the reservoir would return to normal after it cools down.

I did a compression check the other day.

140 150 140 130

not the best I know but I also do have cometic HG and port& polish, dunno if those matter..

Sorry, I have no idea what those numbers mean for your motor. How about leakdown?

How do I crack open and closed the hose? Is that just sliding the climate control slider back and forth?

Get the car running until the thermostat opens. Park uphill with the cap off and run the engine. Put the temp slider on full hot.

Just loosen the feed hose going to the heater core and then tighten it back up. If the core traps air, you should feel a small gasp of air followed by trickles of coolant. Just loosen the hose clamp a little bit and then close it back up.

Easier to do with aftermarket hose claps than factory spring clamps.

the thermo is 3 months old..

Doesn't mean anything. Sometimes new parts fail.

[projectRDM]

On 96+ cars there is no valve on the heater core inlet hose, so the water continuously flows through it no matter what. I think Brian's idea is good, it's boiling off as steam under the hood and therefore isn't visible. An air pocket would explain some of it but you're to the point where you should have displaced it all by now, six cups is a lot of water.

As far as the headgasket though, that's seems the most plausible. I really hate how people assume it can only blow into an oil passage so the only sign is a coolant/oil mix. That's stupid and naive. A headgasket can blow anywhere, between cylinders, into an oil passage, or just out to the edge of the head, so there's really no way to determine that's the culprit without a leakdown and pressure test. Do both of those and come back. I also don't like those compression numbers, too low for a KA and too far apart. I'm betting that's the problem.

[NemeGuero]

Ffuuccckkkkk

[xplicit240]

dude. you cant use water for that long. you probably have air pockets due to the water evaporating. i had the same problem. flush it, bleed it and make sure its all coolant this time. lolz good luck!

[NemeGuero]

its distilled water with water wetter. fuck coolant.

[kuruptR]

uhhh... I used to do that combo, My water would also evap. I later switched to a regular coolant mixture, its all good now.

[projectRDM]

It's not evaporating that fast unless it was boiling all the time. Boiling = overheating. It's a catch 22, it won't overheat if the water doesn't boil off, but it won't boil unless it's overheating. Something else is causing it to overheat.

[s13drob]

do a leakdown test. u can physically hear where/if any leaks are at. its a good idea to do that next if u still lose water after bleeding the system

[jspaeth]

On 96+ cars there is no valve on the heater core inlet hose, so the water continuously flows through it no matter what. I think Brian's idea is good, it's boiling off as steam under the hood and therefore isn't visible. An air pocket would explain some of it but you're to the point where you should have displaced it all by now, six cups is a lot of water.

As far as the headgasket though, that's seems the most plausible. I really hate how people assume it can only blow into an oil passage so the only sign is a coolant/oil mix. That's stupid and naive. A headgasket can blow anywhere, between cylinders, into an oil passage, or just out to the edge of the head, so there's really no way to determine that's the culprit without a leakdown and pressure test. Do both of those and come back. I also don't like those compression numbers, too low for a KA and too far apart. I'm betting that's the problem.

If it's a small HG leak adjacent to a cylinder, he should be able to see some bubbles coming up at the top of the radiator, right?

Also I think someone already mentioned getting one of those kits to test for hydrocarbons in your coolant.

From what you describe, this seems like a SMALL leak somewhere, and then once the coolant level gets low enough, you aren't circulating the coolant well and you are overheating

[tckracker]

I had the exact same problem with my original S13, unfortunately its the HG. The consuming of a small amount of water and erratic overheating. It sucks but don't repeat my mistake by throwing money at the car trying to convince myself that I didn't need to tear open the engine and replace the Head Gasket. Do a leak down to make sure, but odds are pointing at the 240 going under the knife... umm... ratchet. :(
-Shaun

[flip3d]

Water doesn't fix dehydration. Your car is thirsty. Switch to Gatorade :P


+1 for bleeding the system.

[xplicit240]

It's not evaporating that fast unless it was boiling all the time. Boiling = overheating. It's a catch 22, it won't overheat if the water doesn't boil off, but it won't boil unless it's overheating. Something else is causing it to overheat.


not true at all. mine never boiled at all. when i pulled over un capped it and steam just came out.

im not saying dont rule out the other possibilities. but it was just an option.

[steve shadows]

My car was overheating randomly and then would cool down after a few mins..
on my 7 mile commute to work.

So the first time it did it, we fixed it by pouring in 2 more cups of distilled water into the rad.

then 2 days later it started doing it again...
opened her up and poured in 2 more cups of water.

it was good for another day or 2 and now its back to temperature spikes and I would bet that if I opened up the radiator I would be able to pour 2 more cups of water in there..

SO, my car is drinking water.
There are no visible leaks..

WTF is going on?



I thought you went to berkeley...I thought that was a good university...and ME major no less...



sigh...


hahaha


your head gasket is leaking internally around the combustion chamber, probably because of a fissure that developed around the head gasket (fire ring or otherwise) and is now under load and heat it leaks gradually in burning up before it exits the exhaust.

You probably used a cometic too? or boosted a stock KA24de? right?

haha

[Slidin240Wayz]

Eeesssaaarrrrrrrr

[jspaeth]

I thought you went to berkeley...I thought that was a good university...and ME major no less...



sigh...


hahaha


your head gasket is leaking internally around the combustion chamber, probably because of a fissure that developed around the head gasket (fire ring or otherwise) and is now under load and heat it leaks gradually in burning up before it exits the exhaust.

You probably used a cometic too? or boosted a stock KA24de? right?

haha

Again, can't he diagnose this problem really easily by checking the coolant for hydrocarbons? If there is a headgasket issue around the combustion chamber, shouldn't the high pressures of combustion push some of that gas back through the crack or bad seal BACK into the coolant?

[NemeGuero]

Hahaha Oh steve how I missed you..

[projectRDM]

not true at all. mine never boiled at all. when i pulled over un capped it and steam just came out.

im not saying dont rule out the other possibilities. but it was just an option.

You just corrected yourself. Steam = boiling water. Where do you think the steam came from? It may not have boiled over, but it did boil, otherwise you wouldn't have any steam.

[harlockssx]

Again, can't he diagnose this problem really easily by checking the coolant for hydrocarbons? If there is a headgasket issue around the combustion chamber, shouldn't the high pressures of combustion push some of that gas back through the crack or bad seal BACK into the coolant?

My idea too...go to Napa & buy a "Block Tester" Kit. It can tell you if there are hydrocarbons in your water, if there are=head gasket leak. Use a small amount of antifreeze with your distilled water (like 20-30% antifreeze) and try to bleed the system. You can take the small plug out of the thermostat housing or jack the front end up in the air. Run the engine with the heater on (if it's plumbed) and let it heat up & run for ~ 20 min. Shut it off & let cool, then add water until it equalizes.

A stuck thermostat could also be the culprit...causing the water to boil off from a lack of flow.

[NemeGuero]

WaterWetter®

WaterWetter® is a unique wetting agent for cooling systems which reduces coolant temperatures by as much as 30ºF. This liquid product can be used to provide rust and corrosion protection in plain water for racing engines, which provides much better heat transfer properties than glycol-based antifreeze. Or it can be added to new or used antifreeze to improve the heat transfer of ethylene and propylene glycol systems. Designed for modern aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass and bronze systems. Compatible with all antifreezes, including the latest long-life variations.



SHUTUP W THE ANTIFREEZE

PS. I'm getting a pressure test and cylinder leak down after work. in an hour.

[jspaeth]

SHUTUP W THE ANTIFREEZE

PS. I'm getting a pressure test and cylinder leak down after work. in an hour.


hahah i honestly am dying laughing over how pissed this is making you....going back to check to see if any of it's my fault

[NemeGuero]

Na, not angry.. jus people dont read.

anyway, on my way to get the testing. :kiss:

[projectRDM]

Na, not angry.. jus people dont read.

anyway, on my way to get the testing. :kiss:

Dude, it's Zilvia. When has anyone ever read anything on here?

[singlecamslam]

Dang good luck on those test results. I dont mean to thread jack...(kinda) but i just installed a koyo radiator, bled the system, added the right amount of coolent and for some reason my heater doesnt work. The car warms up fine and doesnt overheat. I get white smoke from the tail pipe but it smells like gas and i think thats my turbo, i dont have leaks and some water overflowed in my overflow tank but just a little bit. SO i have no idea why my heater isnt working, just started doing that today and i dont feel like messing with it anymore because my manager is yelling at these shitty apartments i live in.

[jspaeth]

Dang good luck on those test results. I dont mean to thread jack...(kinda) but i just installed a koyo radiator, bled the system, added the right amount of coolent and for some reason my heater doesnt work. The car warms up fine and doesnt overheat. I get white smoke from the tail pipe but it smells like gas and i think thats my turbo, i dont have leaks and some water overflowed in my overflow tank but just a little bit. SO i have no idea why my heater isnt working, just started doing that today and i dont feel like messing with it anymore because my manager is yelling at these shitty apartments i live in.


yo what the fuck, why are you theadjacking?!?!??

:keke:

[WangonwWarrior]

Dude, it's Zilvia. When has anyone ever read anything on here?


:bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl: +1. Nobody ever reads nor does any research

[NemeGuero]

Ok. I'm back.

When i got to the shop, the rad was another 2 cups low.. BIG SURPRISE!
He pressurized the radiator and it held. No drop in pressure, no leaking, no blah blah.

Then he did a leak down. no bubbling from any cylinder..

then he did compression..

150 160 150 160

He did look at plug #3 and say he could tell my HG was bad from looking at that.
wtf

[singlecamslam]

did the plug have coolent on it? And sorry for thread jacking you man.

[NemeGuero]

No, it was charcoaly..

[cheap_sticker05]

that sucks bad. I am too late but seems you figured it out. I had about the same problem, but this was on a CA and it was a freezeplug that corroded out.

[jspaeth]

Ok. I'm back.

When i got to the shop, the rad was another 2 cups low.. BIG SURPRISE!
He pressurized the radiator and it held. No drop in pressure, no leaking, no blah blah.

Then he did a leak down. no bubbling from any cylinder..

then he did compression..

150 160 150 160

He did look at plug #3 and say he could tell my HG was bad from looking at that.
wtf

Interested as to why your compression results were lower than those done at the shop?

I am assuming someone of your seniority knows to keep the throttle all the way open and to let it crank 5+ times......

Hmmm this is an interesting WhoDunnit




Also, if your compression check is okay, but you are still leaking coolant into cylinder #3, then that must only be happening when the engine is under some sort of load (more of a load than is provided when you just crank the engine for the comp. check).....maybe it's a TINY leak that only effects it when the carm warms up enough?!

Either way, that's super gay...........


But on the bright side at least your HG didn't fail near an oil passage and lock up your whole shit

[NemeGuero]

I think it may be when the engine is cold, that there is a gap between the head and the block on the exterior ridge and thats when the water leaks (steams) out the side.. because when it is warm, it seems to overheat less.. because the expansion blah blah seats better..

I may just get some head studs and torque that shit down. hahah

[onehundredoctane]

use the proper tightening sequence as well, I've seen water disappear from the coolant system before, but that was due to a bad intake manifold gasket, water was leaking into the engine and evaporating when the engine would get hot, weird that's the only time I've ever seen that.

[steve shadows]

Dude, it's Zilvia. When has anyone ever read anything on here?

Haha, Im waiting for Dousan to chime in and tell you how because your car doesnt have some fucking stupid Japanese sticker and crappy fiberglass chunks hanging off of it with some goddy shitty glitter fag paint job that you suck, your life sucks and you should die.


TGIF btw...

Just pressure test the system and you will find out if you are SOLGTFO

:cj:

[ManoNegra]

I think it may be when the engine is cold, that there is a gap between the head and the block on the exterior ridge and thats when the water leaks (steams) out the side.. because when it is warm, it seems to overheat less.. because the expansion blah blah seats better..

I may just get some head studs and torque that shit down. hahah


Sucks man
If you're going to take the head off
might as well get a new hd gasket no?
at least an oem one

[NemeGuero]

the system passed the pressure test buddy.. way to read steve...

yah, new hg, new head studs, new gaskets all around, and s13 hotcams! all that is coming up in my "rebuild"

[jspaeth]

the system passed the pressure test buddy.. way to read steve...

yah, new hg, new head studs, new gaskets all around, and s13 hotcams! all that is coming up in my "rebuild"


that sucks, sorry to hear that......it's ashame to go throw all of that work just for a small leak

[NemeGuero]

Whatever.. the low compression is enough reason to do it all over.

Its not hard. I'll have it done in a weekend after I get all the parts together.

Plus, I can redo my valve cover while I'm at it :)

[s13tilldeath*]

I take my thermastate out of all my cars. After that i dont have a problem over heating.

[NemeGuero]

its the head gasket, but thanks for playing.

[surreybc]

I take my thermastate out of all my cars. After that i dont have a problem over heating.


use synthetic oil and ALL problems go away. removing the stat only cures overheating problems.

[soreballz]

I take my thermastate out of all my cars. After that i dont have a problem over heating.

use synthetic oil and ALL problems go away. removing the stat only cures overheating problems.
YOU ARE BOTH FUCKING STUPID.


That is all.


:rolleyes:

[surreybc]

YOU ARE BOTH FUCKING STUPID.


That is all.


:rolleyes:

LOL. I'm assuming you are being a sarcastic asshole.:fruit:

[soreballz]

^Asshole, yes. Sarcastic, no, not in this instance. Simply put, your statement about synth oil solving problems was dumb.

:wan:

[ESmorz]

I heard water wetter cures AIDS and Cancer.

Head gaskets suck.

[surreybc]

quote=soreballz;2325956]^Asshole, yes. Sarcastic, no, not in this instance. Simply put, your statement about synth oil solving problems was dumb.

:wan:[/quote]
well, i was being sarcastic. thank you for playing, though.:fawkd:

[soreballz]

I heard water wetter cures AIDS and Cancer.
Hmmm, I have also heard this. CLINICAL TESTING MUST BE PERFORMED NAAAAAAOOOOOW!!1!



Head gaskets suck.
This is true. Fuck headgaskets. Just weld the head directly to the block. :ddog:

[ESmorz]

Hmmm, I have also heard this. CLINICAL TESTING MUST BE PERFORMED NAAAAAAOOOOOW!!1!



This is true. Fuck headgaskets. Just weld the head directly to the block. :ddog:

1. I'll come give you AIDS and then I'll ship you off for testing.

2. Geez why didn't I think of that?

:rofl:

[Mr. Camshaft]

Haha, Im waiting for Dousan to chime in and tell you how because your car doesnt have some fucking stupid Japanese sticker and crappy fiberglass chunks hanging off of it with some goddy shitty glitter fag paint job that you suck, your life sucks and you should die.

:cj:

highlight of thread :bowrofl: