QuestionQUESTION: I'm confused - you never answered my question...this was your reply:
You are very welcome.
Your Question was:
I have a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE, and have noticed the coolant level remains steady unless I turn on the heat, at which point the level drops below the min level in the coolant jug. Temp gauge never goes up, but I am now checking coolant levels on a daily basis before driving the vehicle. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Expert: Kevin
Since my question, I had been filling the jug on a daily basis, but lately, the problem seems to have corrected itself...is this possible? The jug level has not moved from max line, and the radiator is full...could there have been a bubble in the line that purged itself somehow? I consistently have heat now, and am very confused...my (former) Chrysler dealer insisted it was a leaking head gasket, but I had no symptoms - no white smoke from the tailpipe, no coolant leakage under the vehicle, no smell of coolant from either exhaust or vents...this was in December...it is now late March...please help!
ANSWER: the system clears out stuff after it has sat for so long I had not had time to answer the 50 something questions in my box.
Did they pressure test the system or not?
And with out a visual from myself I wont be able to help much with a leak.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I didn't ask about a fluid leak, and no, they didn't pressure test the system. I see no leak anywhere, the coolant has stabilized, and is no longer varying in the jug, the temp gauge has never budged past the normal half-way point, I have heat consistently, and am simply curious if it is possible that there might have been a bubble in the system causing the fluctuation that has corrected itself.
ANSWER: U did ask about a fluid leak U said U had to keep adding fluid it does not just disappear it will either leak or get used some where.
If they did not do a pressure test then there is not much that can be done until that is done that is one of the basic things that should have been done first. What did U say when u took it in? if U said anything about I ma loosing coolant then a pressure test would have been performed. The only way a bubble would have gotten into the system is if there is a leak or some one replaced something and had to add coolant into it causing an air bubble. AN air bubble does not just appear out of no where.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes, I did tell them that I had a coolant problem, and NO, ghey did not run a pressure test. I am simpy trying to figure out what happened. I took the vehicle to an independent auto mechanic yesterday that told me there was most likely condensation on the ceramic valve on the water pump, but everything looks fine. He also stated there was no need for a pressure test. All I want to know is what possibly could have caused the problem. According to Chrysler, I had a leaking head gasket, and had absolutely no symptoms of this. This was in December, it is now March, and the vehicle is running perfectly. The only issue the independent mechanic found was the serpentine belt was cracking. I would simply like to confirm the information I am receiving, as again, I have no symptoms of a head gasket leak - no white smoke from the exhaust, no smell of coolant from exhaust or vents, you yourself told me originally that the problem was not the head gasket but possibly the heater core. All I want to know is what is possibly happening, and should I be concerned. the independent mechanic says this is a common problem (the condensation) during the winter months, or sometimes the summer months.
Answerhere is the down and dirty if there is not an issue then dont worry about it if its not there now and has been 3 months and not doing it now dont worry about it if U cant see a prob and there is not one at hand dont worry about it there is no way for me to enplane why it did it as for I have never seen your van.
