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NeverDie
Dodge Dakota
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10/29/2003
20:48:00
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 Subject: coolant just leaves
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i have a 91' 5.2 dakota LE and no matter how full i fill my radiator it will always go down to half full in about a week. no leaks(as far as i can see) and no funny sounds or smells. always change oil on time. my temp gauge stays normal but it does cool down rather fast. it could be at normal temp and i go away for two minutes and it's almost back to the C line. i run coolant at 50/50 and always run heater, no matter if it's hot or not(hear it helps engine cool and run better).
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Walter
Dodge Dakota
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10/30/2003
12:51:02
| RE: coolant just leaves
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Do you smell any antifreeze coming from your engine bay? You might have a pinhole leak that only leaks when the engine is at operating temp. One way to check is to run the engine to operating temp then turn the engine off and listen for any hissing sounds from the engine. Can you tell if there were any steam coming out the exhaust, this would be the worst place for it to come from because it could possibly be a blown head gasket? Like I said the head gasket is the worst but not likely place. Just something to look for.
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NeverDie
Dodge Dakota
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10/31/2003
07:29:35
| RE: coolant just leaves
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i don't smell anything, but when i shut engine off there is a low rrrrrrrrrrrr then it poofs. then i can hear a liquid running. i was told it could be the pcv opening or closing, and then oil settling down. i highly doubt it is the head gasket b/c i had the heads redone and new gaskets(obviously) because my radiator quit and well you know the rest of the story.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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10/31/2003
17:30:41
| RE: coolant just leaves
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Sounds like you should have the system pressure checked. Did you have the heads checked for cracks or just have them resurfaced ?
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mikeb
Dodge Dakota
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11/01/2003
01:37:11
| RE: coolant just leaves
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I think I read somewhere that if you can take the cap off and look into the radiator when the engine is running you can look for bubbles which indicate a head gasket blown between a coolant port and a cylinder. I also think a spark plug inspection will indicate a blown head gasket, if memory serves me correctly any Chiltons manual will tell you what to look for.
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NeverDie
Dodge Dakota
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11/01/2003
19:52:30
| RE: coolant just leaves
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i has the heads resurfaced. if i take the pressure cap off the radiator won't it blow coolant in my face?
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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11/01/2003
21:11:01
| RE: coolant just leaves
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Coolant won't erupt from the radiator cap unless there is an overtemp condition. Just turn cap slowly, and the pressure will bleed off slowly. Then remove cap.
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Durango
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2003
02:24:22
| RE: coolant just leaves
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This sounds like a very weak method of diagnosis.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2003
06:58:55
| RE: coolant just leaves
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And dangerous too, since it sounds like folks are thinking of opening the radiator cap on a hot engine. Use your head, guys ! Coolant can erupt from an engine that is not overheated, radiator caps are rated to hold a certain amount of pressure because coolant expands as it heats up. Why wouldn't you use a pressure tester to test this right ?
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2003
10:36:36
| RE: coolant just leaves
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No, coolant will NOT erupt from a radiator by simply turning the radiator cap. When a cap is turned, the first position allows pressure to escape down the overflow hose. I've done this thousands of times on more vehicles than I can remember. Yes, the cap is pressure rated to raise the boiling point of the coolant.
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BrianC
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2003
11:37:34
| RE: coolant just leaves
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Ummm..... why dont ya take the cap off first THEN start the engine.............
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mikeb
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2003
12:32:34
| RE: coolant just leaves
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It's weak, but cheap and easy (three qualities I admire in women.) It's also standard Chilton manual stuff that mechanics have been doing for 50+ years. OK, if we're scared of the coolant monster here's another way: Remove all of the spark plugs. Pressurize the radiator to about 15 pounds and drink beer for an hour, two if you're thirsty. Then crank the engine over and watch to see if coolant comes out of the spark plug holes. This will tell you if your problem is a head gasket or possibly a cracked head. Good luck and just kidding about that woman thing (my wife is none of those, now THAT'S what I find sexy!)
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NeverDie
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2003
19:33:22
| RE: coolant just leaves
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i didn't mean to cause all the anger in the room. i'll try that but i can't drink the beer, im only 16. thanks for all the help
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Walter
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2003
07:50:24
|  RE: coolant just leaves
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NeverDie, I too have asked questions and all I seem to do is cause a fight among a few on this board. No a radiator is not going to "Erupt" like Mt' Saint Helen but the fluids inside can be as hot as 220-250 degrees and when you turn the cap to the point the built up pressure releases you can get some on you and remember that if your cap is not working properly the pressure could be more than the stated 14 psi. Remember that Antifreeze is designed to hold hotter temps before boiling, this means if you get some on you after the engine as warmed up the actual temps could be hotter that boiling (212 degrees) without them actually boiling and the antifreeze will "stick" to you longer like oil causing a deeper burn. I know this because I had a friend have a hose split while we were working on his car and he had to be air lifted to a burn hospital. Just be careful! we would much rather read about your successes than about your stay at the local hospital. I'm with BrianC if you need to look into a radiator open it before you get the engine hot. Mikeb has a good idea; now since you are only 16 try one can of Pepsi and a video game.
Kowalski is correct; all you need to do is put a radiator pressure checker on and let it sit, under pressure if there is a bad gasket the pressure will go down. Also you can get a die that you add to the water and after the pressure check you use a special light to look for any leaks around the engine. This is the safest method for locating coolant leaks. I too have been a "shad tree mechanic" for a long time but have learned how to be safe and a lot of times being safe means you will saver money for other more potent mods to your truck. Better to break a part at the track then to break a part because you screwed up and broke it in the driveway. Sorry for such a long post but these were things that needed to be written.
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TheGoodFight
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2003
12:42:21
| RE: coolant just leaves
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Some guys on this board just aren't happy without a good pissing match - it's a sport for them. (not condemning or endorsing, just making an observation)
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mikeb
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2003
13:53:17
| RE: coolant just leaves
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I'm not angry, who's angry? I just enjoy a little verbal sparring as I suspect many others on this board do. In fact I'd buy the first round if everyone wanted to get together and talk very loudly about the whole thing!
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Walter
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2003
14:01:44
|  RE: coolant just leaves
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Arguments can be fun, I used to take it personal on this board but have gotten to expect it from some of you. I’ve even thrown a lob or two for the fun of it myself.
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mikeb
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2003
18:44:35
| RE: coolant just leaves
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I guess the difference is attitude, which is nearly impossible to determine in print. I'll have you know when I type my smart-@ss remarks I am always smiling, and as passionate as I may sound refuse to take any of this seriously (as with most all things in my simple life.)
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madmax93
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2003
21:29:38
| RE: coolant just leaves
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i had same problem on a 92 cougar. turned out to be bad head gaskets
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