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Disappearing coolant

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Old 02-21-2012, 11:32 PM
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Oil and coolant whipped into an emulsion by the engine will not separate, you have goop for the lack of a better term.

And goop doesn't lubricate worth a darn, you're going to have to tear into that engine toot sweet, and expect the worst....while hoping for the best.
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Old 02-21-2012, 11:33 PM
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Didn't your dipstick read Overfull ?? had to, that's a LOT of coolant to just disappear..

Yes that is why the oil is brown..

I would be concerned about the bearings..
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Old 02-21-2012, 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by sleeper
Didn't your dipstick read Overfull ?? had to, that's a LOT of coolant to just disappear..

Yes that is why the oil is brown..

I would be concerned about the bearings..
Right around 3000 miles after last oil change I checked the dipstick and it showed low. I added about half a quart of oil. When we drained it it was about half a quart over 5 quarts.
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Old 02-21-2012, 11:47 PM
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Were you checking the oil level, after it was fully hot & then shut off ?
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Old 02-22-2012, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by sleeper
Were you checking the oil level, after it was fully hot & then shut off ?
It was cold because we checked it at the end of the work day
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Old 02-22-2012, 12:57 AM
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Interesting, generally it will read higher when cold. Since the oil drains down into the pan.

That's why the most accurate check should be done right after running it.
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Old 02-22-2012, 01:11 AM
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I think a lot of that coolant went out the tailpipe, and the remainder got into the crankcase due to blow by, but a true diagnosis will have to wait until the head is off at the very least.
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Old 02-22-2012, 01:19 AM
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agreed, although I'd expect to see discoloration on 1 or more of the spark plugs..
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Old 02-22-2012, 01:24 AM
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Unless the plug in the questionable cylinder is being "steam cleaned", that's why I asked if the engine had been looked into with a scope. One suspiciously clean cylinder just about says it all, the rule is carbon, carbon, carbon, super clean....we have a winner!
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Old 02-22-2012, 10:18 AM
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I understand that the water pump is in the crank case and is driven by the timing chain. Is it possible that the water pump is leaking? Anyone ever heard of a leaking water pump causing this problem?
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