Losing coolant

Sometimes when the radiator starts to leak the coolant will dry as fast as it leaks out, so it is difficult to tell what's going on. I would use a flashlight and check both sides of the radiator tanks to look for reddish powder, if so, the radiator needs to be replaced. Here is a guide that can help you find the leak:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Also included how to change the radiator just in case, in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

It’s holding pressure on a coolant pressure test. Would that happen if the radiator is leaking or if it’s clogged or whatever?

Yes, if the radiator is leaking it will lose coolant, if it was plugged and can push coolant from the reservoir. How does the radiator look, can you remove the cap and look inside?

So, I got underneath and noticed that this hose had some built-up gunk on it, is this at all related? It’s about an inch over from my drain plug. Also noticed that the bottom of what I’m pretty sure is my radiator is kind of wet too, I just don’t know if it’s new or not.

Another picture.

Hmm, it is hard to tell if that is your leak or not, I would make sure the coolant is full, then let it run in one place for fifteen minutes and then look under it to see if there are any coolant puddles. Also, the chemical test is only about 70% accurate, you can remove the spark plugs and see if one is clean compared to the others, this will tell you the cylinder that has the leak.

I let it run with A/C on full blast last night for about 30 minutes, there was nothing.

I am leaning toward the head gasket, then please remove the spark plugs for inspection.

Wouldn’t that cause smoke from exhaust?

Not always, if the leak is small and in this heat it can evaporate quickly.

Would I smell it? I don’t smell coolant.

Okay, so it not a head gasket so that's a good sign. So it loses coolant but doesn't leak, thats a good one, I will ask one of the other experts to help out with this post, I am running out of ideas. I guess 'back to the radiator being bad.

I’m just at a loss at this point.

Any luck?

I have shown this to other experts, coolant must leak or be burnt to be missing. I would try the radiator is the only thing we can think of.