Coolant Issues
02-12-2013, 09:31 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5
Coolant Issues
Hi, new here to the Mustang Forums.
I just bought a 1996 Mustang GT. On the way home, my low coolant light came on. After pulling over and inspecting, it was indeed low on coolant (About half empty). I topped it off, and did not get the light for the rest of the trip home (Trip was about an hour).
Next day, the light came back on. I checked the coolant level, and it was VERY low, almost empty (I checked it after a day of driving it, a couple hours after the light came on. I know, not the smartest move.) Topped it off again, took it for a half hour drive, and the level had gone down about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch.
When taking the coolant cap off, I get a bit of back pressure, which I know can be a sign of a blown head gasket, but can also be a lot of other things. I also have not found any other signs of the head gaskets being blown (Nothing out the exhaust, oil looks fine. Haven't had a chance to look at the spark plugs yet).
Engine temperature stays consistently normal, and does not appear to overheat. I also have not observed any leaks, and I feel if it were a leak with how much coolant Im losing, I would notice.
So does anyone have any idea where I should look next? Any opinions or thoughts on the matter are highly appreciated. Thanks.
I just bought a 1996 Mustang GT. On the way home, my low coolant light came on. After pulling over and inspecting, it was indeed low on coolant (About half empty). I topped it off, and did not get the light for the rest of the trip home (Trip was about an hour).
Next day, the light came back on. I checked the coolant level, and it was VERY low, almost empty (I checked it after a day of driving it, a couple hours after the light came on. I know, not the smartest move.) Topped it off again, took it for a half hour drive, and the level had gone down about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch.
When taking the coolant cap off, I get a bit of back pressure, which I know can be a sign of a blown head gasket, but can also be a lot of other things. I also have not found any other signs of the head gaskets being blown (Nothing out the exhaust, oil looks fine. Haven't had a chance to look at the spark plugs yet).
Engine temperature stays consistently normal, and does not appear to overheat. I also have not observed any leaks, and I feel if it were a leak with how much coolant Im losing, I would notice.
So does anyone have any idea where I should look next? Any opinions or thoughts on the matter are highly appreciated. Thanks.
02-12-2013, 10:25 AM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 180
Pressure test that bad boy and see if it drips and how fast you loose pressure. If your curious about a head issue, Napa has a kit with a tester that's easy to use. My suggestion is to check it in that order, if you can run the car up to operating temp safely proceed with the block test, and if you get coolant in that tester running the test its going to give you a false reading. Some hard areas to see are around the intake and the heater core. Keep us posted and good luck!
Edit: welcome to MF
Edit: welcome to MF
Last edited by blu30val; 02-12-2013 at 10:27 AM. Reason: added welcome message
02-12-2013, 08:45 PM
#3
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 194
Don't worry about the pressure bleed off when you take off the cap, if it is still warm it will have pressure. I'm guessing u have a leak somewhere that only shows up when pressurised, so I agree on getting a pressure tester.
02-13-2013, 08:40 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5
Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. I haven't had a chance to pressure test it yet, but since topping it off yesterday around noon, it hasn't appeared to lose any. I still plan on pressure testing it this weekend, just to be 100% sure, since some of the tubing is definitely looking their age. Thanks again for the help.
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