Varsity
Don't need no stinkin 4WD...yet
- Joined
- January 4, 2011
- Messages
- 614
- Reaction score
- 30
- City, State
- Chicago, IL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '00 Sport
Hello, been on this site for quite a long time, I just don't always log in or post too often. I've been having a lil problem later regarding coolant lately and hopefully I can find some help here.
First off, I have a 2000 Explorer Sport. 4.0 OHV, 87k miles, beautiful condition, VERY well maintained (wiped dry after every rainstorm after I put in garage ). Well, about a month ago, I did my fluid/tire pressure checks and when it came to the coolant, the bottle under the hood was bone dry. Whoops. Rad was a lil low too. So, I filled as much as I could with the Prestone we had.
About week ago, I followed up on that and it was empty again! Ran and got a gallon of straight antifreeze to save some money so I could make my own 50/50 mix and get 2 gallons of coolant instead of just one. Rad was pretty low too so when all was said and done, I used close to a gallon filling the rad and the bottle. I checked again about 4 days ago and there was a significant drop AGAIN!
Here's where it gets interesting. NO PUDDLES!! You would think something dumping that much antifreeze would leave at least something. No drips on the floor, and nothing in the engine compartment or under the hood looked wet. We hooked it up to the pressure tester at 16 lbs and it held the pressure fine. So, I replaced the Rad Cap. It was $8 and couldn't hurt. Looked again recently and there was still a drop in level.
I do plan on lifting it up and taking a look underneath within a day or two, but anyone know anything about this or anywhere to look?! Like I said, no puddles and nothing under looks wet. I need to do something because I don't plan on dumping gallon after gallon of antifreeze in it every week or so. Ha, gas is expensive enough, I don't need to be measuring the MPGs of my antifreeze
Any help is really appreciated. Luckily I don't do too much driving but I need a place or two to start looking for this puzzle. Thanks for any/all help.
First off, I have a 2000 Explorer Sport. 4.0 OHV, 87k miles, beautiful condition, VERY well maintained (wiped dry after every rainstorm after I put in garage ). Well, about a month ago, I did my fluid/tire pressure checks and when it came to the coolant, the bottle under the hood was bone dry. Whoops. Rad was a lil low too. So, I filled as much as I could with the Prestone we had.
About week ago, I followed up on that and it was empty again! Ran and got a gallon of straight antifreeze to save some money so I could make my own 50/50 mix and get 2 gallons of coolant instead of just one. Rad was pretty low too so when all was said and done, I used close to a gallon filling the rad and the bottle. I checked again about 4 days ago and there was a significant drop AGAIN!
Here's where it gets interesting. NO PUDDLES!! You would think something dumping that much antifreeze would leave at least something. No drips on the floor, and nothing in the engine compartment or under the hood looked wet. We hooked it up to the pressure tester at 16 lbs and it held the pressure fine. So, I replaced the Rad Cap. It was $8 and couldn't hurt. Looked again recently and there was still a drop in level.
I do plan on lifting it up and taking a look underneath within a day or two, but anyone know anything about this or anywhere to look?! Like I said, no puddles and nothing under looks wet. I need to do something because I don't plan on dumping gallon after gallon of antifreeze in it every week or so. Ha, gas is expensive enough, I don't need to be measuring the MPGs of my antifreeze
Any help is really appreciated. Luckily I don't do too much driving but I need a place or two to start looking for this puzzle. Thanks for any/all help.