2002 x Type, 111k miles, 2.5l. Loosing coolant about 32 oz in 200 miles. Check under car-no coolant. There is no white smoke from exhaust and no milky oil. I purchased a coolant combustion tester to determine if their was any combustion byproducts in coolant and it tested negative which indicates that the head gasket is good. Any ideas what is going on?

Howard

 

Either the reservoir tank or the ubiquitous "t" pipe spilt/crack (hairline).

 

I had a tiny crack in the reservoir in the small outlet pipe at the top rear slim hose. (don't know the name of the hose.). I just moved the pipe and clamp a tiny bit to cover it and so far so good.
X types also sometimes have problems with the pressure cap seeping

 

Thanks. I will check it out.

 

Thank you. I will check those places.

 

hak, I would say to get yourself a coolant system pressure tester (can be rented for free from most auto parts stores). Fill up your expansion tank and press the system up to 15 psig. If you have a black light, this will be beneficial (most new coolants have a build in UV die that will glow when lit with a black light). You can then look around the engine bay with the engine off and the system at pressure. Like was said, you are likely to spot a leak at either the T-pipe near the radiator, the vent line from the motor to the top/back of the expansion bottle, or out the front of the water pump. Shining a black light into the engine bay (especially when it is starting to get dark) will cause where the coolant is leaking to glow. You can then trace the trail back to your source.

 

Great suggestion. Getting ready for mother's day so I will do the test next week.
Thank you

 

Thermo, Thank you for the suggestion. I pressure test coolant system and found small leak in drive side radiator. Added 1 bottle of Bar's Leak Radiator Stop Leak Concentrate and leak has stopped. Part of the problem was the foam at the bottom of the radiator was acting as a sponge and absorbing the coolant so it would not drip on the ground. Had to remove the foam to find the leak. Now what is the best way to reattach the foam to the radiator??

 

hak, honestly, I would not worry about reattaching the foam. If the radiator is leaking, it is only time before other parts of it start leaking. So, I would be looking for a new radiator and that should have the new foam already attached. if not, then I would say to look for something like Gorilla glue or the like that comes in a big bottle. Run a strip down the side of the radiator and attach your foam, pressing it in place for the first 5 minutes or so. By then ,the glue should be set up enough that you won't have to worry about it.

 

Thermo, I want to keep the car, so I will try your suggestion to reattach the foam and start looking for a new radiator. Thanks for you help.