In only cold weather and only when the engine is cold I see antifreeze under the engine close to the right side of the vehicle. The radiator hoses are new the radiator is fairly new and the thermostat was replaced last summer. What is happening and why is it only in the winter?
I don't know why it didn't oprint this but I'm talking about a 1995 Ford Taurus 3.0lL 6 cyl engineI don't know why it didn't oprint this but I'm talking about a 1995 Ford Taurus 3.0lL 6 cyl engine
The car only loses the antifreeze when it is stone cold. This does not happen during the warmer months. The overflow tank is only filled to the line indicated never above. All the hoses have been changed about a year ago. The radiator had to be changed 2 or 3 years ago.The car only loses the antifreeze when it is stone cold. This does not happen during the warmer months. The overflow tank is only filled to the line indicated never above. All the hoses have been changed about a year ago. The radiator had to be changed 2 or 3 years ago.
I replace my radiator cap every 24 months when I change the antifreeze, and I believe that is what's recommended by most vehicle manufacturers. But are you sure this is antifreeze and not just water you are seeing? Running your defroster will cause a small amount of water to drip out from the passenger side near the firewall on most vehicles, as this is where the evaporator core for the a/c system is located. When the defroster is ran the a/c also runs so that the excess moisture is removed from the air when it is passed through the evaporator core and condenses on the coils, and then drips off. And you probably only use the defroster in the colder months.I replace my radiator cap every 24 months when I change the antifreeze, and I believe that is what's recommended by most vehicle manufacturers. But are you sure this is antifreeze and not just water you are seeing? Running your defroster will cause a small amount of water to drip out from the passenger side near the firewall on most vehicles, as this is where the evaporator core for the a/c system is located. When the defroster is ran the a/c also runs so that the excess moisture is removed from the air when it is passed through the evaporator core and condenses on the coils, and then drips off. And you probably only use the defroster in the colder months.
At first I also thought it was water/condensation but I should be so lucky. No it is difinitley antifreeze I happened to park over a little nitch in the road and saw the puddle of green and immediately washed it away so no animals would drink it. Whenever I see the leak I get a pair of white gloves and feel all aroung anything I can reach as far as hoses, radiator overflow tank the only thing I can't do is get under the car. I have brought it to a mechanic who kept it in his bay overnight and sure it didn't leak because it wasn't cold enought in there. It's very frustrating because otherwise the car runs and looks great even though it's a 95At first I also thought it was water/condensation but I should be so lucky. No it is difinitley antifreeze I happened to park over a little nitch in the road and saw the puddle of green and immediately washed it away so no animals would drink it. Whenever I see the leak I get a pair of white gloves and feel all aroung anything I can reach as far as hoses, radiator overflow tank the only thing I can't do is get under the car. I have brought it to a mechanic who kept it in his bay overnight and sure it didn't leak because it wasn't cold enought in there. It's very frustrating because otherwise the car runs and looks great even though it's a 95
I'm on the west coast, unfortunately. If you are so inclined, your local auto parst store sells UV-reactive dye and a UV light that you use with yellow glasses and you can find the leak in your garage in the morning with the lights off. It'll probably cost you about $50 for all the equipment. It's a pretty simple task. Just add the dye directly to the radiator, when the engine is cold, and drive as normal. After a few days the leak should be visible with youe new light and glasses. Some places have a light a d glasses "kit", bit it's usually pretty shoddy. Buy the good light by itself, and any pair of yellow tinted safety glasses you can get for about $2 will work fine. The key is a bright UV light and no other light sources. They make dyes for all fluids too so you can locate leaks in any system.I'm on the west coast, unfortunately. If you are so inclined, your local auto parst store sells UV-reactive dye and a UV light that you use with yellow glasses and you can find the leak in your garage in the morning with the lights off. It'll probably cost you about $50 for all the equipment. It's a pretty simple task. Just add the dye directly to the radiator, when the engine is cold, and drive as normal. After a few days the leak should be visible with youe new light and glasses. Some places have a light a d glasses "kit", bit it's usually pretty shoddy. Buy the good light by itself, and any pair of yellow tinted safety glasses you can get for about $2 will work fine. The key is a bright UV light and no other light sources. They make dyes for all fluids too so you can locate leaks in any system.
Thanks Ren I'll have to try that but first I'll have to find a dark place to do this in. I used to have a garage I parked the car in until Feb 2010. I'll figure something out thank alot for all you input I really appreciate it.Thanks Ren I'll have to try that but first I'll have to find a dark place to do this in. I used to have a garage I parked the car in until Feb 2010. I'll figure something out thank alot for all you input I really appreciate it.
He're a silly question could I use a black light (which I already have) to do this test with the dye?He're a silly question could I use a black light (which I already have) to do this test with the dye?
You can't post conmments that contain an email address.
Is your overflow tank on that side and full to the top? It may be leaking out if filled too high, but I'd think it would do that only untill not too full, and not only in the winter. And among the things replaced, did you replace the radiator cap?
The car only loses the antifreeze when it is stone cold. This does not happen during the warmer months. The overflow tank is only filled to the line indicated never above. All the hoses have been changed about a year ago. The radiator had to be changed 2 or 3 years ago.The car only loses the antifreeze when it is stone cold. This does not happen during the warmer months. The overflow tank is only filled to the line indicated never above. All the hoses have been changed about a year ago. The radiator had to be changed 2 or 3 years ago.
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
Please don't unless it'll be VERY temporary - enough to get to the auto parts store to get Antifreeze/coolant. It'll over heat quickly - BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET - $1500 repair @ least - or FREEZE and CRACK the BLOCK - RUIN the engine - if you're area still gets that cold.
Check the owner's manual for the actual quantity, but just have someone get you a gallon of antifreeze and a gallon of DISTILLED water ($1 @ grocery store), and do it correctly. You should also change the thermostat if it's not been done.
All freeze plugs our on the side of the engine block they our used for a safety device , so that when the weather get cold and freezing and you engine does not have proper antifreeze these plugs will pop out and save you block from cracking They should be right in the front part of the engine.
natural for engine temp to rise in Traffic - Until Themostat opens ) cooling fan sensor kicks on fan . But Antifreeze is not just a Cold weather item . Coolant is Absolutely Necessary for Hot Days . You must be full to recovery bottle setting of cold when checked prior to start up . Coolant for your make / model is Reddish - Pink colour and should have a reading of -25 thats negative 25 degrees the Lower the Better even - 50 .. Why ?? - 50 is 50 %% antifreeze / Coolant Concentrate MIX Gives Hot weather cooling Ability or very cold weather starting / winter HEAT .
Do you have enough antifreeze in your engine? If the coolant is freezing up the engine will not turn over and your block can bust. You should always winterize your vehicle if you live in a cold climate. Check the coolant in your burp jug and radiator and see if it's frozen, if it is, you can try placing a small heater under the car or at the very front of the car as close to the radiator as possible to defrost it. You'll have to cover it with some blankets to keep the warm air in and be careful not to cause a fire! If you can get it defrosted you need to get it winterized a.s.a.p. if the engine has not been damaged. Hope this helps.
If there is plenty of antifreeze and it is not frozen up, then have your battery checked. Extreme cold & heat can kill a battery. Hope this helps.
You have a head gasket problem with the engine generating abnormal pressure, and sending all the antifreeze to the reservoir, thereby leaving the engine running dry; it is dangerous for the water pump to operate with no water. Drill 3 11/64 or 3/16" holes in the thermostat side facing the engine, making sure not to touch the opening mechanism; this will keep antifreeze always running thereby, compensating for the abnormal pressure regenated by head gasket leak(s). Your thermostat was never your problem. In cold weather, 5 degress celsius or under, the thermostat takes longer to open and more antifreeze will be sent to the reservoir leading to an overheating.. Partially cover the radiator with a sheet metal piece to make the thermostat open faster and stay open, as the antifreeze is not being cold that much by cold air. You're fooling the cooling system into warm weather driving. Don't waste your money buying radiator stop leak or liquids to repair head gaskets; this will only corrode and make your radiator to eventually leak.
sounds like the thermostat might be stuck open. the engine uses hot antifreeze to heat up the inside of the car if the thermostat is stuck open all of the antifreeze will be circulating all the time and it will take a long time to heat up. I would try to replace the thermostat
1.5 gallons,with water mix,then check after the engine has ran for a couple of days,check it with a antifreeze tester to make sure the coolant will protect the engine in severe weather(cold).
With engine cold, remove radiator cap. At bottom of radiator on left side (as you stand in fronof truck), there is a plastic drain plug that screws into the radiator. This plug does not look like a bottle cap, rather it looks like a large, raised tab. Turn counterclockwise to remove. Have a large pan under the truck at this location, or have the truck parked on the grass. Allow to drain completely. Dispose of the old antifreeze and do let children or pets drink it; it is deadly poison. If you want to do this right, replace the plug, refill the radiator with water only, replace the radiator cap, start engine and let run until opwerating temperature is reached (about 20 minutes), then turn engine off, let cool completely, and repeat the drain procedure. This will more thoroughly remove the old antifreeze from the system. Now refill the radiator with the proper mixture of new antifreeze and water, run engine to proper operating temperature. turn off engine and let cool completely. Add additional water and antifreeze into the coolant overflow bottle if necessary. After changing antifreeze, you may need to add more again after couple of days.
You need to find out weather it is water or antifreeze. A small finger tip taste will tell you, antifreeze is sweet. Or if that test is not to your liking antifreeze has a definite SMELL. water does not. If it turns out to be antifreeze the problem will be either the heater core or one of the connections to the heater core, Check your COLD radiator and coolant tank to be sure you do not run your engine out of antifreeze.
I don't know why it didn't oprint this but I'm talking about a 1995 Ford Taurus 3.0lL 6 cyl engine
The car only loses the antifreeze when it is stone cold. This does not happen during the warmer months. The overflow tank is only filled to the line indicated never above. All the hoses have been changed about a year ago. The radiator had to be changed 2 or 3 years ago.
I replace my radiator cap every 24 months when I change the antifreeze, and I believe that is what's recommended by most vehicle manufacturers. But are you sure this is antifreeze and not just water you are seeing? Running your defroster will cause a small amount of water to drip out from the passenger side near the firewall on most vehicles, as this is where the evaporator core for the a/c system is located. When the defroster is ran the a/c also runs so that the excess moisture is removed from the air when it is passed through the evaporator core and condenses on the coils, and then drips off. And you probably only use the defroster in the colder months.
At first I also thought it was water/condensation but I should be so lucky. No it is difinitley antifreeze I happened to park over a little nitch in the road and saw the puddle of green and immediately washed it away so no animals would drink it. Whenever I see the leak I get a pair of white gloves and feel all aroung anything I can reach as far as hoses, radiator overflow tank the only thing I can't do is get under the car. I have brought it to a mechanic who kept it in his bay overnight and sure it didn't leak because it wasn't cold enought in there. It's very frustrating because otherwise the car runs and looks great even though it's a 95
Hey Ren would you happen to be in New York?
I'm on the west coast, unfortunately. If you are so inclined, your local auto parst store sells UV-reactive dye and a UV light that you use with yellow glasses and you can find the leak in your garage in the morning with the lights off. It'll probably cost you about $50 for all the equipment. It's a pretty simple task. Just add the dye directly to the radiator, when the engine is cold, and drive as normal. After a few days the leak should be visible with youe new light and glasses. Some places have a light a d glasses "kit", bit it's usually pretty shoddy. Buy the good light by itself, and any pair of yellow tinted safety glasses you can get for about $2 will work fine. The key is a bright UV light and no other light sources. They make dyes for all fluids too so you can locate leaks in any system.
Thanks Ren I'll have to try that but first I'll have to find a dark place to do this in. I used to have a garage I parked the car in until Feb 2010. I'll figure something out thank alot for all you input I really appreciate it.
He're a silly question could I use a black light (which I already have) to do this test with the dye?
×