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radiator/cooling problems Posted By: porschegonzo On: 11-07-2009 @ 17:22:30 Reply | Edit Im new to this forum and really need some help on my 1997 Firebird with the 3800V6. I decided to have my cooling system flushed and brought it to meineke to have it done. before it was done i had to constantly add antifreeze to the radiator because the level kept dropping over a 3 day period. Its been 3 days since the car was serviced and i decided to go check to see if the levels were ok. I checked the radiator this morning to find out what kind of antifreeze they used. To my surprise, when i removed the radiator cap, there was no visible fluid in the radiator. This is the same crap that i was getting and is why i brought it to people that know how to do it. So here is the question. Is there ANY reason as to why the radiator would look empty when the car is completly cold? would it be a function of pressure as the car warms up? i check i have no visible leaks under the car. i no longer smell antifreeze at stop lights. i have no white smoke coming out the back of the car even under full throttle i had my wife follow me to check. and i checked there seems to be no water or antifreeze in the engine oil. Any ideas can anyone else go check there 3800 V6 firebird when its cold to see of the radiator is topped off when cold? any comments or feedback on this would be greatly appreciated Thank you Jeff Posted By: porschegonzo On: 06-23-2009 @ 19:07:29 Reply | Top | Edit Ok here is what I found. The hissing was a result of the system being low on antifreeze. I waited for it to cool down and added 50/50 coolant to the radiator and yes its the same type as what was in the system. I started the car and prayed it would some how be better. Sure enough, the hissing went away, and the car was able to consisently at 185-190 degrees. it would slowly go up to 210 and then come back down. I ran the car for about 20 mins and it worked perfectly. the fans came on when they needed to, and it was able to hold the correct temp. So.... heres what we know. 1. The car loses enough antifreeze in a 3-5 day period to cause problems 2. There are NO signs of leaks anywhere (i also just wiped everything down incase something does start to leak i can see it) 3. I smell antifreeze sometimes when i sit at stop lights 4. The overflow tank does not add coolant when the radiator is low (when the radiator was out of antifreeze, the overflow was full to the point where i could see it clearly) 5. When the radiator is half full, and the car is started with the radiator cap removed, the level rises to the point where it will overflow onto the ground Any ideas Thank you Jeff Posted By: porschegonzo On: 06-24-2009 @ 18:04:44 Reply | Top | Edit Does anyone know why the overflow tank will not add coolant when the radiator is starting to go bone dry? does this make any sense to anyone? It just continues to rise so i know the line isnt blocked Posted By: Howi152 On: 06-24-2009 @ 21:33:50 Reply | Top | Edit The overflow could be blocked. I can assure u that ur car is leaking it if what u say is true. U may wanna check and see if it is coming out of the weep hole in the water pump or around any of the mating point around the ruber hoses. Good luck. -- rip: 
Posted By: MadMatter4 On: 06-24-2009 @ 23:25:34 Reply | Top | Edit Check the water pump and possibly replace the radiator cap. --  Posted By: BlackVert On: 09-14-2009 @ 22:20:17 Reply | Top | Edit My car does the exact same thing. Just had the engine replaced 5k miles ago. I'm assuming not a head gasket issue. New water pump also. No visible leaks, no white smoke, no anti-freeze smell, but in about a months time, it'll be so low, that I have to add about a 1/2 gallon of coolant, and then everythings fine for another month or so. Anyone else have any input? -- 1999 Black WS6 Trans-Am, 6 Speed, Leather, Convertible, 5% Tint, Free Mods. Posted By: Howi152 On: 09-15-2009 @ 03:58:42 Reply | Top | Edit either pressure test it ur self or have someone else do it. that is the only way to be sure. head gasket is pretty easy to tell. if the oil looks like a milkshake or see moisture on the plugs when its cold (outside) the its probably blown.
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