Timing cover resealed 1 week ago, coolant disappearing
 

I had my timing cover resealed 1 week ago (for the second time) and when I drove the car home, I noticed they topped off my coolant and it was maybe an inch above FULL. Figured they topped it off when the car was cool.

However I haven't checked it since and today I noticed after my 20 mile drive home from work that I can't even see any coolant, it's way below LOW. I have no low coolant light or any symptoms of low coolant. I will top it off later in the day and drive it to work again tonight, but I'm wondering if that's a good idea at all...

Since I'm not seeing any puddles underneath the car and nothing in the engine bay or on the floor pan cover, I'm concerned it's an internal leak which would be possible considering the front timing cover was resealed recently. Prior to the reseal, the coolant settled right below FULL for a few months. But now I went from above FULL to not seeing any coolant at all in the reservoir. I've driven maybe 100 miles since the reseal.

If you don't see any leaks or evidence of leaks and the car isn't overheating, I reckon it would be OK to drive to work.

However, if it continues to consume coolant, I suggest you take it back to whoever had the engine out to have them check for leaks.


humfrz

In addition, there doesn't appear to be any coolant channels inside the timing chain compartment.

However, they may have created a leak if they removed the engine.

Before you get too alarmed, I suggest you check the coolant level carefully ..... two different times, under a similar temperature and location.... :)


humfrz

If you can't see it and you don't smell it then it probably isn't a big deal. Fill it up again and keep an eye on it. Those overflow tanks seem to have a mind of their own sometimes.

I filled up to midway full and low before my 20mi drive to work when the car was cold. After I arrived to work i checked it and the coolant is still in the same place. Will check daily as recommended.

That's fer sure.

Sort of like feeding a baby a bottle of milk (even these new high-tech bottles that have a inner valve system to keep baby from sucking air, sometimes the baby will still "burb" ...... and then sometimes .... not.

Hint for new fathers (grandfathers) don't trust the new bottles 100%. If you think I'm kidding, just after a feeding, prop the baby up in front of your face, shake it gently, pat it's back and watch what comes shooting out of the cute little grinning mouth ....... :eyebulge: ......that means it's tummy is up to or over the "fill line".

Now, back on subject, sort of, back in the day, the top of the radiator WAS the "expansion tank". So, you couldn't see the level (unless you took off the cap and looked in). Even if the level of coolant didn't cover the top of the fins, that didn't mean it was low.

My point is that people didn't worry about it ....... unless the car overheated.


humfrz

Wait. Wait. Wait! Shake GENTLY? Oh god that explains so much. Must call son. I hope he hold the phone right side up this time.

Next, you're going to tell me you use to apply brandy on his gums when he was teething ...... :eyebulge:


humfrz

There is nothing related to timing cover and coolant.there is no coolant pathway inside timing cover.you better check your pressure cap if you don't see any water dropping down.

If there is "water" dripping down from his cap he has many issues. The expansion tank takes any overflow it doesn't drip out around the cap. If the cap did fail then the system would not hold pressure and you would over heat very quickly. There would be no doubt that you had a problem.

after filling the coolant up from the very bottom of the ex pansion tank to an inch above FULL, it's held steady for the last three days and 50 miles of driving. I also wiped the pressure cap since it did have dried coolant marks, but it hasn't shown any since. I think this is solved as of today. THanks!

Do not be surprised if it all of a sudden it drops below full. The tank is only supposed to hold that much and by overfilling you will eventually force the extra out. It will not indicate a problem just the system equalizing what is supposed to be there.