coolant level going down

[Scotty Dive]

On my 2020 I have a reserve coolant bottle with a low and high level. When its at the low level the coolant light lights...

I keep it right at the low mark but every one in a while I have to add some coolant - I see no leaks anywhere and the oil looks good.



Any chance these systems "use" some coolant? Or do you think I have a very small head gasket leak?

 

[Neat 1500]

well, it shouldnt move. i keep mine on the high mark cold and it always ends up back there when its cold again. you either have an external leak or the dreaded internal (gasket or head itself?) until it really shows itself as in major fluid missing i wouldnt worry about it yet, just keep topping it up.

 

[TGeorge]

On my YM1500, I was continually having to add coolant to the reserve bottle. I took the radiator off and took it to a radiator shop. They found tiny holes at the bottom of the radiator that I didn't know were there. They repaired it and now I no longer have to add coolant.

 

[Scotty Dive]

On my YM1500, I was continually having to add coolant to the reserve bottle. I took the radiator off and took it to a radiator shop. They found tiny holes at the bottom of the radiator that I didn't know were there. They repaired it and now I no longer have to add coolant.

Did you notice any leaks anywhere?

 

[284 International]

As Neat 1500 alluded to, sometimes the cooling systems on any machine can leak a little bit of pressure, whether through the cap, a hose, the pump seals, overflow line, or whatever. Eventually, after some operating time, enough steam leaves that the level drops to detectable levels. One way to perhaps isolate this trouble would be to try pressurizing the system with one of the hand pump testers (available for "free" at Autozone, among other places) and see if and how fast pressure leaks down. Then, if it isn't leaking down, you can start looking at investigating a head gasket leak or cracked head etc.

There are testers to determine if combustion products are entering the cooling system. I've never used them, but possibly Car Doc or others have experience with what works, or doesn't.

 

[clemsonfor]

Did you notice any leaks anywhere?

Get the pressure tester rental tool from Advance or autozone. Pressure ize the system to the pressure of the radiator cap, and see if you see any leaks anywhere in it. If its head you will eventualy see bubble on a cold start in the overflow bottle or radiator.

Check your waterpump after running to see if its dry from the weep hole.

 

[Car Doc]

I agree with the others it may be a very small leak or evaporation almost all the cars I see on a regular basis need coolant added sometimes when everything is ok or at least I cant find anything wrong.

I agree with clemson also there will be bubbles in the bottle on cold start that will tell you the HG is bad and later it will be continuous bubbles in there. The pressure tester he mentions will show pressure in the system also just put it on and start the engine watch the gage- if HG is bad it will rise immediately if not it will rise slow.

As far as chemicals to detect hydrocarbons in a diesel cooling system the only one I have experience with is the liquid combustion leak tool the parts places sell. They dont work at all on diesels, the gas version does on gas just fine but the diesel version on diesels no. ymmv as always

Why I dont know? I went thru 2 new bottles and never got a result on mine which was so bad it bubbled the detection fluid severely and still never changed colors.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...2210d-radiator-sub-tank-img_1094-640x480-.jpg

 

[TGeorge]

Did you notice any leaks anywhere?

I had coolant showing near the battery but I thought it might have been coming from the radiator cap. I replaced the cap but still had the same problem. After I took the radiator in and they pressure-tested it and found the leaks at the bottom of the radiator, I haven't had any more problems with coolant leaking down.