Coolant disappears, overflow stays full. How do you dx intake gasket leak?

[Terry_Jim]

My 1992 XLT
165,000 miles
is using coolant, not a lot, quart a month tops.
I replaced radiator when I bought it 5 years ago.
haven't run leak test yet,
Odd thing is that the overflow remains full.
2 Questions
-Why isnt it drawing coolant from the overflow tank?
- How do you diagnose intake manifold leak vs. head gasket leak?

Ideas? Thanks!

 

[Gary Crist]

If it isn't drawing coolant from the reservoir, how
do you know it is drinking coolant unless the
radiator cap is faulty?

 

[94Eddie]

Regardless of what might be going on you should see some amount of rise and fall in the reservoir if there is a properly functioning radiator cap and the connecting hose is not clogged. You might want to check for combustion gases in the coolant. There are kits and test strips you can buy to do this.

 

[Terry_Jim]

If it isn't drawing coolant from the reservoir, how
do you know it is drinking coolant unless the
radiator cap is faulty?

Coolant level in radiator drops, coolant reservoir bottle stays full.

 

[Terry_Jim]

Regardless of what might be going on you should see some amount of rise and fall in the reservoir if there is a properly functioning radiator cap and the connecting hose is not clogged. You might want to check for combustion gases in the coolant. There are kits and test strips you can buy to do this.

Hose isn't clogged original cap, may be weak. Thanks, I'll test it.

 

[Roadrunner777]

If memory serves, I may be wrong, but I think you can get this with a bad thermostat.

 

[Terry_Jim]

If memory serves, I may be wrong, but I think you can get this with a bad thermostat.

Thanks