losing around an inch a month from coolant reservoir...cannot see any leak ...more than normal smoke/steam from exhaust I think..any suggestions?

 

Take it to a radiator shop and ask them to carry out a pressure test and also a TK test, this tests for combustion gases in the water.

 

How is the performance of the car? Notice any difference? Check the oil to make sure it is not milky to rule out a head gasket.

Have you checked by the water pump and the thermostat housing? Any collant drops ever on the ground? If so, where?

 

A frequent point of leakage that doesn't show any water staining is the upper radiator hose it consists of 2 hoses and a plastic pipe that tees off down to the thermostat. It will crack across the top and open under pressure and at temperature and won't leak when engine is cool.
The constant heating and cooling of the plastic cracks it. If you find it bad by the complete upper hose assembly. It will come with new hoses, plastic pipes and a new thermostat. I think mine was about $98.00 from Jagbits or SNG Barratt.

 

How is the performance of the car? Notice any difference? Check the oil to make sure it is not milky to rule out a head gasket.

Have you checked by the water pump and the thermostat housing? Any collant drops ever on the ground? If so, where?


NORMAL PERFORMANCE /OIL LOOKS GOOD/ NO COOLANT DROPS


shall look again and perhaps pressure test....thanks to all!

 

And the most obvious, but have to ask: You do not see any pooling at the bottom of the coolant expansion taak and/or a crack by the upper nipple fitting of the tank, did you?

 

no sign of pooling/leaking