Engine coolant is disappearing...

1988 CHEVROLET CORSICA
565,473 MILES
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CRASHNBL
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  • 4 POSTS
I have a 1988 chevy corsica with the 2.8L v-6...and my engine coolant is disappearing...i don't see it in the oil on dipstick and none on the ground...where is it going?
Jun 11, 2011 at 5:16 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Most likely out the tail pipe. When a head gasket leaks coolant into the combustion chamber, it also lets combustion gases into the coolant. That can be detected with a special tool. It is a glass cylinder with two chambers partially filled with a special dark blue liquid. Air is drawn from the radiator through the liquid. If combustion gases are present, the liquid will turn bright yellow.

Another test is to add a small bottle of dye to the coolant. After driving for a sufficient length of time, you search with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source of the leak. Also search at the tail pipe with the black light.
Jun 11, 2011 at 7:42 PM
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BIGJIM79
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  • 239 POSTS
the intake gaskets are real bad about leaking internaly
Aug 5, 2011 at 3:36 AM
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