Radiator coolant leak

[paigelong94]

Hey, I just recently bought my 99 mercury mountaineer. I'm having to add radiator coolant at least once a week. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm not sure where the leak is, but i'm asking if anyone has any idea before I take it into a shop. I can deal with filling it up every week, but if it gets worse, obviously I'm going to need to do something about it. Thanks!!

 

[Backwoods "X"]

Our 94 "X" does the same thing, pretty much. Our problem is the heater core is leaking. Do you have what looks like "vapor trails" right above the defroster vents on your windshield a few minutes after you shut the engine down? That is what a bad heater core can do as an indicator of leakage.

 

[paigelong94]

Well, I don't think so. Today when i backed it up to check the coolant there was a small puddle on the ground under where the engine was and it was kind of green (the color coolant i use). But when i got my car we discovered that the previous owner had the heater bypassed so i can't use the heat, only air conditioning. But i think my leak is getting worse because i filled it up on Sunday, and it was almost completely empty today when i filled it up again.I'll probably just end up having to take it into a shop