Slowly losing coolant - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

jamestemperante · 12-28-2021, 09:54 PM

Hello again everyone, I don't know if I'm just paranoid or what, I've noticed that my coolant level in the reserve tank drops about 1mm every time I drive for about 20km and let it sit and cool down for 12hrs. Is this normal to lose that amount of coolant for just a short distance trip? Thanks again for your input

whataboutbob · 12-28-2021, 10:02 PM

That coolant overflow tank is not sealed. Fluid may be evaporating from within the overflow tank. I would keep an eye on it to see if you notice a sudden and substantial decrease of fluid in either the overflow tank or the radiator itself before I'd start to be concerned.

Ultramaroon · 12-29-2021, 12:02 AM

Not paranoid. That's what happens with a slow leak in the radiator cap. Never builds full pressure. Hot spots sizzle a bit.

jamestemperante · 12-29-2021, 02:24 AM

Radiator cap is also new, I bought last month with a 1.3 spec on it.

jamestemperante · 12-29-2021, 02:27 AM

Also replaced the thermostat and did a full coolant change/flush I think more than a month ago.

Ultramaroon · 12-29-2021, 03:25 AM

New doesn't guarantee good. All it takes is a tiny leak in the return valve. Now I remember.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147467

Keep driving and watching it. If it doesn't settle down and you don't smell leaking coolant, try another OEM cap.

jamestemperante · 12-29-2021, 03:37 AM

are headgasket problems common to our engines?

jamestemperante · 12-29-2021, 03:42 AM

nah. I dont smell any kind of coolant smell inside or in the engine bay. Will keep an eye on it.

Ultramaroon · 12-29-2021, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamestemperante

are headgasket problems common to our engines?

No, and your reservoir is completely clean. No oily shit in there. Relax.

blsfrs · 12-29-2021, 08:40 AM

Could be nocturnal emissions.

7 skulls · 12-29-2021, 09:14 AM

If you did a recent coolant change as you said, then it's probably some air still escaping the system.

jamestemperante · 12-29-2021, 10:57 AM

how long does it usually take to fully bled or let the air escape from the system? It's been more than a month since my last coolant change

NoHaveMSG · 12-29-2021, 12:07 PM

Mine always settles on the reservoir being empty after a half dozen drive cycles so I leave it. Rad's always full. DD'ing I would just check it every oil change, and check it before a track day.

JD001 · 12-29-2021, 03:21 PM

Are you parking in the exact same spot? Pavement tolerances need to be considered when observing fluid levels..

12-28-2021, 09:54 PM	#1
jamestemperante Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Philippines Posts: 43 Thanks: 62 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Slowly losing coolant Hello again everyone, I don't know if I'm just paranoid or what, I've noticed that my coolant level in the reserve tank drops about 1mm every time I drive for about 20km and let it sit and cool down for 12hrs. Is this normal to lose that amount of coolant for just a short distance trip? Thanks again for your input Attached Images

12-29-2021, 12:02 AM	#3
Ultramaroon 義理チョコ Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 31,867 Thanks: 52,126 Thanked 36,517 Times in 18,919 Posts Mentioned: 1106 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	Not paranoid. That's what happens with a slow leak in the radiator cap. Never builds full pressure. Hot spots sizzle a bit. __________________ service manuals

12-29-2021, 03:25 AM	#6
Ultramaroon 義理チョコ Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 31,867 Thanks: 52,126 Thanked 36,517 Times in 18,919 Posts Mentioned: 1106 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	New doesn't guarantee good. All it takes is a tiny leak in the return valve. Now I remember. https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147467 Keep driving and watching it. If it doesn't settle down and you don't smell leaking coolant, try another OEM cap. __________________ service manuals

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12-29-2021, 02:24 AM	#4
jamestemperante Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Philippines Posts: 43 Thanks: 62 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Radiator cap is also new, I bought last month with a 1.3 spec on it.

12-29-2021, 02:27 AM	#5
jamestemperante Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Philippines Posts: 43 Thanks: 62 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Also replaced the thermostat and did a full coolant change/flush I think more than a month ago.

12-29-2021, 03:37 AM	#7
jamestemperante Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Philippines Posts: 43 Thanks: 62 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	are headgasket problems common to our engines?

12-29-2021, 03:42 AM	#8
jamestemperante Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Philippines Posts: 43 Thanks: 62 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	nah. I dont smell any kind of coolant smell inside or in the engine bay. Will keep an eye on it.

12-29-2021, 08:40 AM	#10
blsfrs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Drives: 2013 frs base Location: central Virginia Posts: 1,111 Thanks: 1,725 Thanked 906 Times in 472 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Could be nocturnal emissions.

12-29-2021, 09:14 AM	#11
7 skulls Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Drives: 2014 scion frs Location: Newfoundland Posts: 241 Thanks: 283 Thanked 247 Times in 122 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you did a recent coolant change as you said, then it's probably some air still escaping the system.

12-29-2021, 10:57 AM	#12
jamestemperante Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Philippines Posts: 43 Thanks: 62 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	how long does it usually take to fully bled or let the air escape from the system? It's been more than a month since my last coolant change

12-29-2021, 03:21 PM	#14
JD001 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: UK Posts: 6,028 Thanks: 7,652 Thanked 6,187 Times in 3,474 Posts Mentioned: 25 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Are you parking in the exact same spot? Pavement tolerances need to be considered when observing fluid levels..

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