Hey all - I'm new to the forum and wondered if you might be able to help with this issue I'm having.
I have a 2000 93 SE convertible with 61K miles on the clock. Was driving perfectly with no probs/SID messages for 4 months (last issue I had was a timing belt cover oil leak in May, which I had resealed - $1300 OUCH!). Went on vacation for 2 weeks, during which I left it in my garage. After I got back, after driving it for about 50 miles, the next time I started, I got a "check coolant level" SID display. I checked, and the reservoir was just below the sensor line, about 1/2 way down. I restarted the car, this time no error. I didn't know what the level was prior to that so didn't think much of it. I drove about 40 miles further with no probs. The next morning, I get the same error appear. I check, and this time the coolant level is at the bottom of the reservoir! So I have obviously lost coolant somewhere overnight. Can't see any obvious signs of coolant anywhere on spot checking the engine compartment and floor, but do see a very few drops around the cap of the reservoir. I undo this and fill it back up to the cold line. I make sure the cap is firmly screwed back. I then drive it for a further 100 or so miles over two days with no loss of coolant (check everytime I park). Temperature needle is constantly at normal "9 O'clock" position. I then drive it pretty hard the next day for about 16 miles (lot of "quick off the mark" starts and high revving). Engine temp gauge still fine, and no sign of probs when I park. After I return to the car after an hour, I see a huge puddle of coolant on the floor in the same general location where the reservoir is. I check level, and I am back down to the bottom of the reservoir! The puddle is right by the front left (driver side) wheel. I lost about 1 liter of coolant. I notice large drops of coolant again gathered right by the reservoir cap, but this is still firmly screwed on the reservoir. After filling coolant back up, I drive another 20 miles with no loss of coolant. What is going on?!
Can you hazard any guesses as to what this might be? Is it a straightforward faulty cap, or something else?
Thanks much for any comments/advice.
I have a 2000 93 SE convertible with 61K miles on the clock. Was driving perfectly with no probs/SID messages for 4 months (last issue I had was a timing belt cover oil leak in May, which I had resealed - $1300 OUCH!). Went on vacation for 2 weeks, during which I left it in my garage. After I got back, after driving it for about 50 miles, the next time I started, I got a "check coolant level" SID display. I checked, and the reservoir was just below the sensor line, about 1/2 way down. I restarted the car, this time no error. I didn't know what the level was prior to that so didn't think much of it. I drove about 40 miles further with no probs. The next morning, I get the same error appear. I check, and this time the coolant level is at the bottom of the reservoir! So I have obviously lost coolant somewhere overnight. Can't see any obvious signs of coolant anywhere on spot checking the engine compartment and floor, but do see a very few drops around the cap of the reservoir. I undo this and fill it back up to the cold line. I make sure the cap is firmly screwed back. I then drive it for a further 100 or so miles over two days with no loss of coolant (check everytime I park). Temperature needle is constantly at normal "9 O'clock" position. I then drive it pretty hard the next day for about 16 miles (lot of "quick off the mark" starts and high revving). Engine temp gauge still fine, and no sign of probs when I park. After I return to the car after an hour, I see a huge puddle of coolant on the floor in the same general location where the reservoir is. I check level, and I am back down to the bottom of the reservoir! The puddle is right by the front left (driver side) wheel. I lost about 1 liter of coolant. I notice large drops of coolant again gathered right by the reservoir cap, but this is still firmly screwed on the reservoir. After filling coolant back up, I drive another 20 miles with no loss of coolant. What is going on?!
Can you hazard any guesses as to what this might be? Is it a straightforward faulty cap, or something else?Thanks much for any comments/advice.
