help track coolant leak

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marlab2002

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I bought this car 3 months ago..Took it to a shop to be diagnosed and issues dealt with.#1 issue was running hot..The shop replaced the thermostat and gasket on both the thermostat and low radiator cap. Next they tightened and replaced clamps on radiator hose...TWICE!! I've taken it back 3 times because the reservoir keeps going dry. Don't think it's a blown head gasket or cracked head because my oil looks fine. Common sense tells me they should have probably replaced the hoses to everything, checked for leaks on overflow reservoir, checked out the water pump, then ran a pressure test.I refilled overflow when I parked it, put cardboard under it to try to find leak.Next day,tank was empty but I couldn't see spot underneath. Shouldn't this be easy to diagnose?
 
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The first thing they should have done if the leak wasn't obvious is a pressure test. They also can do a hydrocarbon test which would show a head gasket issue. Maybe you need a different shop to check the car.
 
1) Is the cooling fan coming on? ( you may just be boiling the water out)

2) Is there white smoke coming out the tailpipe? ( could burn coolant without mixing with oil if the coolant passage in the head / combustion chamber has a crack between them)

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
3) Floorboard / carpet wet? ( heater core leaking)

Doug in P.R.:cool:
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Thanks Guys. No, carpet isn't wet.So far, heater is ok! The shop owner is personally picking the car up today.Haven't noticed it smoking. Maybe they'll get it right.They're working on their own dime today!
 
coolant leak

Thank you for your responses!! After throwing my tizzy fit with the shop, asking if they'd run the pressure test(they hadn't) or checked the water pump(they hadn't) they DID do those things,,,was the water pump!! Thank you or your help tho, I wouldn't have known to ask about running a pressure check!! Am so glad I found this forum!
 
glad they found the problem for you
 
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