Heres an odd one, the coolant keeps disappearing, but no dripping?

Question

I have a ford lehman diesel engine, I fill the coolant tank to the top and about three days later the coolant has gone down a gallon. I have not run the engine. Is there a way for the coolant to excape from the engine thru the wet exhaust or???

Answer 1

check the crankcase for coolant.

Answer 2

Short answer is, the coolant tank shouldn't be filled to the top.  I'm surprised at the Not running the engine part.  If there is an exhaust manifold leak The missing anti-freeze went out the exhaust.  Check the hose at the Elbow.  There should be residue.  I'd rule-out evaporation, to quick!   On the neck if the surge tank is a relief tube, but if the engine isn't run that's a stretch.   I've seen this with blown head gasket, but there again.    It's a mystery!

Answer 3

It probably recycles through the radiator.

Answer 4

Take it to a professional, they have special caps that read the pressure in the system and they can tell you if there is an internal leak.

Its pretty cheap too ;p

Answer 5

You can get a pressure tester from an auto supply store and put it on at the heat exchanger to get a reading. Did you check the transmission oil as well as the engine oil? You could have a bad oil cooler. If there is a leak at the water pump or elsewhere you may not see it until the system is under pressure. Or you could have a bad head gasket or even a cracked head.

Answer 6

Yes, but I'm not sure how.  I have an old GM and this happens to me all the time.  Not a leak in sight and the thing overheats like an elephant jogging in the desert.   I can't keep coolant in the reserve tank to save my life.

Thanks for posting this.  One star from me and I'll be back to see what answers you get.

Answer 7

I suppose that you could have an internal crack in the block. Is probably something stupid though that your missing.