Why is My Car Losing Coolant?

[@lomgshorts3]

For a blown head gasket, if coolant gets into the oil, the color on the oil filler cap OR dipstick could be either white or a creamy brownish color depending on the type of coolant used. White alone is not a good indicator of a blown head gasket, it could be a beige, chocolate brown, or dark brown color depending on the type oil or coolant used. I used to work with my Uncle on classic, collectible and modern cars and seen what cracked heads, cracked blocks, and leaky head gaskets can do to oil and engine coolant types. I once had a cracked head on #2 exhaust valve on a GMC 250 cu in straight six (one of the longest /strongest lasting engines GM ever had) . Having no tools and it being Sunday (no garages open), I drove the truck with a boat and trailer from Alexandria Bay, NY to Rochester, NY with a trail of white smoke folowing me for 300 miles on I-81, I-90, and I-390 to my house in Fairport, NY. I had junked a Chevy Nova with the same engine weeks before, so I just replaced the cracked head, put a new gasket on my truck engine the next day and cleaned the creamy chocolate brown fouing off the dipstick and filler cap, gave it a test drive and called it done. Yes, I had to refill the coolant every thirty miles, but the engine kept running, didn't hydrolock, and surprisingly got two miles per gallon better than the other trips we took to Alex Bay for great Northern Pike fishing. The crack in the head was three inches long, but very narrow. I expected the engine to ruin itself any moment, but the GM designed six cylinder pulled me through.

[@malcolmchadwick4047]

The beauty of the kit is, if you work on the cooling system of your car. When you have finished you can connect the pressure tester to see if it loses pressure. Safer than driving down the road to find a hose clamp loose because you forgot to tighten it.

[@kevinknowlton2084]

I got a trick for bleepin jeep and I haven't seen anyone doing it on KZbin. How many time you get mad changing out the brake shoes it get Frustrating but if you have a c clamp. Clamp it to one shoe attach pin and spring repeat on the other shoe. It made it so much easier for me to do my brakes on my jeep be myself if u have a second hand u don't need a c clamp

[@take20080606]

Because various tools are sold cheaply in the United States I feel so envious.

[@jDot2414]

Could a car just be low on coolant with no issues ? I haven’t had any over heating , no funny smells . But my coolant was low

[@ADHDgaming0]

Mines same but it loses it after like 2 hours no drive

[@prestonzefereo4576]

@@ADHDgaming0 could be your reservoir

[@ADHDgaming0]

@@prestonzefereo4576 just took to garage and my head gasket has blown 😩😩😩

[@valleyboy7721]

@ApzDevYT bro what if I had 97 devill car smoking out vent I'm losing coolant too but resvior box bro I had couples leak at bottom what the problem I no box need change fast funny smell in car I lefylt car quick trip

[@valleyboy7721]

I let cool off 24 hours it drive but start smoking in ten min soon it get hot

[@simonjohnhinton1938]

Mines a 21psi cap on my mondeo. I changed the expansion cap because the coolant rose by about an inch when hot. Been fine ever since and coolant doesn't rise now. A good way to tell if your headgasket might be starting to go is take a whiff of the coolant. My old v6 mondeo smelt of exhaust gases long before it started leaking and pressurising the cooling system. Unfortunately the 2.5 v6 duratec has weak spots on cylinders 3 and 5 and that's where they usually fail. I now have a trusty 2.0 4 cylinder and no problems so far...

[@NWJeeping]

Thanks Jeremy this helped me find the leak in my girlfriends minivan cooling system. now my xj is losing coolant so I just rewatched this & plan on working on it this weekend thanks again guys i love the bleepin jeep channel such good content

[@johnmunder7107]

Got this going on right now. Need to get the pressure tester ordered. Thx for this video....help me track down what is wrong.

[@bobquattrini1787]

My 1999 Cherokee Xj has almost 350,000 miles and is just like new... 4.0AW4 ...A TRUE BEAST

[@armstrong4196]

Nice to have this information available. Now I know what I'll buy in my next pay.

[@KJsProjects]

Word of caution, if you use a universal pressure test they can "pop out" and boy those things can get some nice distance.

[@beverleypearson2646]

WOW 😮Many thanks for the tips. I have lost a litre of coolant in 48 hrs !! The heating was blowing cold air into the car last night. So I now know what to look for. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@gabriellepurnell8054]

What was it?

[@Justin-o9p]

​@@gabriellepurnell8054did you ever figure it out

[@davidyancey1176]

Also could be a bad radiator cap. I had one that didn’t leak as long as it was running but as it cooled down it leaked.

[@sespider]

Great Vid. One thing should be said first BEFORE any action takes place. WAIT UNTIL YOUR VEHICLE ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN!! There's a gas statiin across from where I work. A fool kid (early 20s) thought it was wise to remove the radiator cap while the engine was still running. It ended up badly burning his hand and arm. As well as part if his face. It took a solid 15 minutes for the volcano of steam to stop. The fool then tried filling it with water. Because I was over there by this point, I stopped him and put antifreeze in it AFTER the engine had cooled. The boy was being stubborn and did not want to wait for the engine to cool. It took myself and another to convince him to let it cool first.

[@sespider]

FYI, I had a first aid kit, with burn cream, in my tuck and bandaged his arm.

[@gigiesparza396]

Not a fool. Just a kid. 21.

[@nicoblaytherealflamingo445]

Southerner accents are best for memory. Mark Twain and Faulkner are my favorites and could be bias opinion. Thank you for vid

[@teddyboy252]

Good teacher

[@anthonycook8737]

I wish you had shown how to test the radiator cap in this video with this type of tester. Would have given some a complete cooling system diagnostic example. I have a request for a video... I would love to see you all do an NP231 rebuild/ upgrade with 6 pinion planetary and 1.25" chain and to go over what parts can be had from which vehicles at the junkyard (6 pinion planetary comes in XXXX vehicles with XXXX transfer case....) How to inspect them to ensure they're still serviceable.... what to look out for and any other tips you guys can come up with, different input shafts and gear cuts on the planetary gears, and what you can mix/ match to make work.. THAT would make for an awesome video! And, if you could do another video with any tips for the NP242, that would be really useful, too. Thanks for all your tech videos. They're really great!

[@randyd9805]

As I was coming home today I noticed I had no heat at all from my heater. I later checked my antifreeze in the radiator and in the overflow tank and found it was virtually empty. Even after adding a total of 1 gallon of antifreeze and 1 gallon of distilled water it still wasn't topped off. I've not seen any leaking at all on the garage floor or anywhere that I've worked so this must have happened while driving. I had to cancel work tomorrow so I can try and figure this out. I sure hope it's not going into the engine. I don't have a flush kit on my Savanah 1500. I figure I would have seen this leaking at some point or seen some white exhaust smoke. I am hearing a squeal or some kind of noise under the hood, but no clue where it's coming from. I'm thinking the water pump.

[@Justin-o9p]

What was the problem

[@randyd9805]

@@Justin-o9p It was my water pump. It would not leak while my van was parked but it was leaking as I drove. I had to have the water pump replaced. No problems since then. The van is a 2006 GMC and that was the first real problem it's ever had.

[@Justin-o9p]

@@randyd9805 ok thanks

[@JoeGarofaloII]

The bell is GREY! Lol awesome video Jeremy/Matt!

[@jeremyrose7541]

Joe Garofalo II 😂

[@clintr5118]

I just had a WJ losing coolant and didn't see any leaks. I found out that the water pump bearings went bad. The coolant was burning up inside the bearings. You could tell by grabbing the fan (with the engine off), it had play in it.

[@karmaacosta]

What did you have to replace? Same is happening to my car i dont see any leaks but its draining i fill it up and by mid day its gone. And when ac is off as i drive i can smell like burn rubberish type of smell

[@clintr5118]

@@karmaacosta possible water pump failure.

[@karmaacosta]

@@clintr5118 so i have to replace the water pump? Or whats your suggestion? Sorry I dont know too much about water pumps

[@clintr5118]

@@karmaacosta If you have never done it before I would suggest taking it to a mechanic before it overheats and causes more damage.

[@karmaacosta]

@@clintr5118 yeah i know but i mean what part do i need to buy? Is it just the water pump or the bearings? Because it doesnt over heat but it shows on my dash that the level is low after filling it up that same day

[@kareemk77]

I have a 2006 lj 4.0 with the banks turbo and water meth system. I keep having to top off the coolant I did all of the fallowing preacher test like this video it was fine, sniff test on the fluid and it was clean no codes and no leak ! I can't fined anything and it runs fine under load . Thanks for any help.

[@bachuyusuf4530]

thanks for the clip, i own a 3.7l jeep liberty kj model. i keep lossing coolant when even i start /run the engine i smell coolant burning from the exhaust system. could it be a cracked cylinder head.

[@Scorpio_1974]

3:35 I believe now I found out that is where my coolant is going even though I do not see it but now I will make sure if it is leaking there because when he flushed out my entire coolant system I do not remember that being there & sudden I see it there he must have added it or I just did not pay attention to it. 2006 Ford F150

[@Walid.Hammas]

Don't think that you have to remove the thermostat before using this trick ?

[@israelrojas5807]

Is not necessart because the pressure goes to the two sides of the direction of the circuit

[@VehicleTribe]

THANK YOU for the tip! Definitely something to watch out for in our Builds. My JEEP XJ was also leaking fluid at the beginning , fortunately it was just a loose hose connection. I also have a KZbin channel where I’m documenting everything I do to my Jeep. 👍🏻

[@Khorsathedark]

We need a shirt with Jeremy on in and "Yahtzee!!" Good video though, simple check that non-mechanics don't know about.

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

My uncle has an older Ford 250 with a 300 inline 6 cylinder that was factory made to burn propane. It kept using coolant..... found it in the crankcase, the oil looked like coffee with lots of cream. We just dropped the oil and coolant and pulled the head to see if it was the head gasket, head the mystery continues it got too late to work

[@donaldfafard]

both of my 96 jeep Cherokees "use" coolant and I replaced both head gaskets a few years ago. it's like it evaporates.

[@mtndewman1022]

how much money and how many man hours does it take to replace one? i just bought a 2000 xj sport and i might have this issue

[@bigsparky8888]

Yes green ethylene glycol evaporates...Dogs and cats will die if they drink it too...its like yummy to them...candy...deadly candy...so never drain it into a gutter or allow it to go into the street...drain into a suitable pan or oil drain container...please...BOW WOW & MEOW thanks you(I'm bilingual)

[@williamcarson423]

Should be "cheap jeep " nowadays not as robust as the old jeeps

[@eduanhugo]

Hey man, thank you for the video! I have a problem and I'm hoping you can help. My car overheated and the headgasket was blown. It was fixed and it ran normally afterwards. I am now drastically losing water, but the pressure test shows no leaks, there is no milky residue or smoke at tailpipe and its definitely not the heater core. This is why the car overheated in the first place. Have you ever come over a case like this?

[@bleepinjeep]

try this test, it has to be going somewhere... either that or you just still have air in the system.

[@liveandletlive2894]

Why wouldn't the pressure just escape to the overflow?

[@jfs1988]

Could these testers be connected to a plastic coolant reservoir? My 2005 Suzuki Forenza sedan doesn't have a radiator tank.

[@markholland1185]

If a vehicle isnt consuming fluids = too. Too new, too tight or too low.

[@xXThePointXx]

Could also be leaking in the radiator to transmission fluid cooler sometimes.

[@timplessinger3670]

That is what happing to my Jeep right now 😪

[@gregmoreland5687]

2004 Chevy Silverado 4.3 losing antifreeze but cannot see no leaks where is it going

[@GasGotti]

@@gregmoreland5687 same with my 2008 Higlander

[@Skyefuego]

What if it's internally? I have to fill the resvoir every 2 weeks. But I don't see anything on the ground.

[@wyattoneable]

Nice explanation and visuals Jeremy.

[@gustavovega9921]

Jeremy thank you so much for the advice, I learned a whole bunch. Happy Holidays

[@BITTYBOY121]

Thank you so much for such a reassuring video man !.... I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight after watching this !... I have a 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG with the earlier silver metal cylinder head covers... It is the v8 6.2 L M156 engine... the same engine that's known for head bolt failure and hydro lock when the coolant get into the cylinders !... recently I've been losing a bit of coolant (about half a pint in 2 weeks), It even does it when the car is just parked up and sitting there unused for weeks, Now I am happier that it may just be a bad hose, although I can never see any water/coolant on the floor, but I don't know if any is in the under tray until I remove it, but I am going to buy one of these gadgets for testing the coolant pressure that you were using on the Jeep and see what I find !... Fingers crossed it will just be a split hose or a loose coupling... Great video man... Best of luck in all you do 👍👍👍👍👍

[@olenaerhardt7725]

That cap you used to test pressure at 2:45 will it work for pressurized containers? I have a container (2003 Chevy Cavalier). And another question, if the car is loosing coolant only in Heat mode, what that can be (seems that what our car is doing)? Thank you for the film and reference for the tool.

[@bighomie404able]

Don't forget to check the CAP...it can cause fluid loss if defective

[@deespasojevic3013]

Couldnt you just pressurise the system by getting the vehicle to operating temp then shut off and check for leaks?

[@markmartin3152]

Excellent video. I’m chasing a coolant leak at the radiator cap. I’m thinking it’s the coolant reservoir at this point. I have a catch receptical at the overpressure release and it is catching the coolant. Not a huge deal, just annoying. 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, been pressure checked ok, but still spits a little coolant at the overpressure at the cap just a little, annoying. Thanks for the vid. 👍

[@faviomunoz7654]

Hello and thank you for video! I’m having coolant fill up my reserve coolant tank and pour out of it. What does this mean?

[@bikersoncall]

I have anti freeze on the ground after a short ride (10 miles ~) in 105f ambient temp. I see no coolant when looking at thermostat and area, nor main hose. under the car I can see the final drips coming off of the engine case. At first I'd thought it might be condensation from running the ac, but there seemed to be more than what might be normal, I put a jar under the drip, and looks like anti freeze.... The temp gauge reading was about in the middle of the range, or less. New to me RX300, with no known history. This just happened today, which was my second trip in hot weather of about the same distance. It was hotter yesterday afternoon having taken the same trip, I didn't notice any leaks at all, but today (this am) the leak. shrugs...

[@PetsNPatients]

Seeing my mechanic tomorrow 🤪 🤗

[@johnalenwork53]

AWESOME VIDEO AS ALWAYS BROTHER

[@joyjo2031]

No visible leaks but keep loosing coolant and my oil is low as well and my heating system is not blowing hot air

[@Robyne_u61]

Gou find out whatit was

[@susanderry4198]

Me too except ok a 05 grand caravan....

[@jameslawson4985]

Hey guy you verified my thoughts on 5,3 major coolant consumption. Wouldn't have thought you could have that much coolant loss with no white smoke

[@wendys390]

That was really informative, thanks very much.

[@bloodbushcraft2467]

I love your disclaimers lol

[@batmania2425]

another informative video, keep up the good work sir, and please don't stop sharing your car repair tips, God bless.

[@kevinjones6091]

Definatly a tool i will need to by my mom's ford ranger is doing the same thing coolant is going somewhere. Great video always cool seeing Jeremy's videos. Keep up the great work guys! AMERIACA!!!

[@paulettepier5526]

Would you know what my problem would be : with a 98 Buick Century and radiator has been flushed; but inside the radiator cap has almost like a light mud around it..but not white..and oil looks okay... THANKS !!

[@Emmanuel-mg4tn]

Thanks for showing the video, I learned from this, God bless you

[@mehdiremidi8632]

what if the water doesn t go to the ground ... the car loses water on or off like i just topped it left it in the garage came 30 min later with like 20% water missing .. no white stuff near the oil no white smoke no nothing and the water is hot in the container so the pump is working fine .. how do i find where the leak is if i have no tools?

[@thisguyhere675]

What if you're losing coolant slowly. Apply the pressure test tool over a 1 hour period and no pressure is lost? Please respond...

[@gavin9873]

Hello I topped up my coolent to the full mark and have drove 2000km and it has dropped down 1 inch do you think that's a problem or is that normal

[@alexemme3679]

I have a 06 liberty that is loosing coolant (about half a gallon a month) I pressure tested it and it didn’t loose pressure for the 15 minutes I had it on and there were no places where I could see any leak

[@bleepinjeep]

thats weird! is it losing coolant from the reservoir or the radiator?

[@YadaG1984]

@@bleepinjeep my 09 Acura TSX is losing coolant from the resivour . Any idea of what I need to do??

[@shadowofnoc5760]

What about this? I am losing coolant (the res level is very slowly going down when I check it over the period of a month) but: - Not a drop under the car/no puddle - Nothing under the dash/on the floor of the passenger side (no heater core leaking) - Pressure test is fine and holds exact same pressure for 45+ minutes - No white smoke out of the exhaust (besides the normal bit of steam in very cold weather or the little bit that goes away after the car warms up when you start to drive after a cold start) - No oil in coolant - No coolant in oil (no milky/wet/foamy oil) - No coolant/water under bottom of oil cap - Already replaced rad cap Any ideas?

[@serenitynow8265]

Hi there, I know this is a late reply, but I've been having the exact same scenario as you have described in your situation. I have been going in circles for several months & haven't been able to solve this issue. I have spoken with several mechanics & they seem stumped to the point they think I'm making this up. (why on earth would I want to make this up & have un-needed additional stressors in my life). Anyway, I was hoping that you would share how you rectified your issue. Thank you for anything you can add. Cheers!!

[@bobcatminer3003]

Hi please I have same issue now can you help me? If you did find a solution

[@shadowofnoc5760]

​@@serenitynow8265 Mine started showing white puffy smoke out of the exhaust eventually (typical head gasket leak symptom) so I got rid of the car for a new one.

[@shadowofnoc5760]

@@bobcatminer3003 Mine started showing white puffy smoke out of the exhaust eventually (typical head gasket leak symptom) so I got rid of the car for a new one.

[@DANNYN224]

I tired the cap didn't fix I I have to fill a quarter bottle coolant in my radiator did a pressure test no leak most likely is head gasket or bad cylinder head right I have to do a compression test and see if all cylinders have even cylinder like for example 123 is 160 and 4 is 120 number cylinder has a problem I pulled spark plugs no white chalky substance on spark plug plugs are burning good

[@imatter4619]

My 03 cadillac sevile doesn't have a leak or radiator cap, just a reservoir plastic cap, which is in great condition. No leaks either

[@mr.fuccdasystem9533]

Mine is chugging coolant and overheating but cant seem to find a leak. Im thinking blown head gasket?

[@thienhoang3667]

Thanks brother for show Us what to do on this situation . Great job

[@wintersvixen1983]

At in your system

[@SubliminalMindSetM5]

Iii love KZbin it teaches me soo much 🖤

[@campcop9214]

Brought a used car recently and within a few weeks noticed the coolant had gone below minimum. Lucky I checked it. Monitored it from there thinking the person who sold it just never topped it up properly and with no leaks on the floor i assumed that was all it could be, but no it kept happening. and eventually I did notice drips on the floor Garage said it Was the Thermostat housing (a crack)so replaced it. Seemed OK for a week or two but now noticing drips In the same sort of area beneath the car again with slight coolant loss, not as much as before but that's how if started the 1st time around and got worse. You'd think the garage would have fixed it properly having said it was the only leak they could find. Like I say it seems to be in the same kind of area again..

[@juanillo9099]

Where to find it and how much it usually cost?

[@JJJobson]

I have a 2007 5.3l and the coolant level drops every time I top it off. No leak on ground and never over heats. No milky oil. I do have a slight misfire on cylinder 1 at idle. Have changed spark plug and plug wire. No codes for misfire just can feel it at idle and scan tool misfire counter. Strangest thing

[@corbettwalker6290]

For a future video you need to convert an automatic Jeep zj to a manual

[@GlycerinZ]

I always welcome a manual swap video

[@mikemiller3936]

Awesome teacher. Awesome video. Hey just help me to literally identify my problem you should teach a class somewhere like at a bouquet from school because you keep it simple

[@StreetersGarage]

More Jeremy!

[@mikylawhitfield3102]

Hi there I have a 1998 dodge Dakota truck and its losing coolant from the over flow tank when the engine temp reaches 105 and above. Any idea what could be causing this? Thanks in advance

[@wintersvixen1983]

Air in your system

[@waybach]

3:20

[@dancingstardust3088]

Thank you.

[@theone3555]

My 2018 kia loses coolant but it takes a long long time for it to lose a little bit, I've added a bit of coolant twice in 2 years and my Air conditioning system isn't cold anymore.. can you help me figure it out

[@waldemarmonroy3684]

thanks for sharing

[@Gabrito74]

Very good explanation thanks! 👍🏼

[@susu-mi7kx]

jeremy in the floor board where?? have a 2001 grand cherokee 4.0 6 cyl.

[@louiedavis3138]

Good job

[@laughingmute608]

My van loses coolant about 8oz in a 20mile drive. Pressure test won't hold at 16 but will hold at 14 for 30min. No visible leaks. Combustion leak test also good (if I'm doing right)

[@laughingmute608]

Oh man that was a year ago I can't recall I basically in the end replaced the whole cooling system except the heater core. I had holes every where, from pin holes to cracks, constant removal of radiator cap caused that to fail, etc... it was a nightmare but I was stubborn.

[@junitorivera3796]

Awesome video, thanks for Sharing.

[@delinquentdesign]

What do you do to diagnose if you have a Block leak

[@bleepinjeep]

visual inspection! yea!

[@classiql]

Thanks for this

[@j.tazcona8199]

Thanks your video is very helpful.

[@tersenaroberts9659]

I need help I replaced the head gasket on my 06 Hyundai Tucson and after replacement it's still having water being pushed in the spark plug Wells did the head gasket get on wrong could it be something else it's not starting and I'm not sure wat I did wrong or if it was something else I should have fixed some one help

[@gideonsmit9484]

Thanks buddy realy helped

[@pasolesoup7430]

What if my reservoir is full and it doesn’t empty into the radiator so the radiator does not have much coolant. I topped the reservoir off three days ago

[@svensuhart5871]

Hopefully this helps me

[@fccgfjfv]

Thanks man

[@lomgshorts3]

I drive a '90 Ford Ranger now, and when the 2.3l engine dies, a Ford straight six is going in it's place. I'm tired of a Pinto engine in my truck. I'm slowly building it now so it will be ready when I need it. I'll fit it in the Ranger somehow.

[@tonesncreww1998]

Great video. Two days after filling the coolant reserve to standard, its empty again. I have to try this. I full coolant reserve with coolant weekly almost. Almost maxed the gauge on the dash twice in two months scary. Any ideas? Thanks

[@Hilohawaiian808]

Mines a gas leak, strong odor of gas in the rear. Not sure where the leak is coming from or what it could be. Anyone have any ideas? Need to have suggestions before going out and buying random tools that I don't need. Any help would be appreciated. '95 Jeep XJ

[@tycdoesit2852]

can a big hole in reservoir cause your car to overheat?

[@gth882]

Try squeezing top hose to burp air

[@emmanueltugara9633]

I parked my car near atm to get some cash, i had been driving for say 12km stopped ddnt turn it of .. after i get out of atm coolant steam was coming out on the front. Turned off the car waited for it to cool down but coolant was leaking so far under neath .. after it cooled down i added water turned the car on its day two am driving the car waiting to see if its gonn leak nothing is happening... was i just being followed by bad luck that day or what happened!???

[@CarlWinzil]

cheers mate

[@buku2008]

thanks, very informative

[@rareearthfab5511]

Love the videos Jeremy! Keep them coming...

[@atlasasher3519]

instablaster...

[@tjl5419]

My coolant reservoir is empty. But car is not overheating went to 2 places n said I don't have a leak. I don't know why it's empty.

[@JK-yd5ro]

Does it pressurize the hole system

[@susu-mi7kx]

also what if its not white, the i remove cap bur faint smoke is still coming out of tail pipe?? a girl asking fixing alone.

[@makeminefreedom]

I have a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD. Every time I get a coolant leak that I can't see the water pump always fails.