Argggh - Losing Coolant - is it the Cyl head gasket ?

[Tonylong]

I've been having a small persistent coolant loss for several years. I never see
the actual source of the leak, nor is there any coolant on the garage floor. I smell
coolant from time to time, and the coolant overflow bottle goes down. Maybe I
lose 1 cup every 100 miles. I decided to replace hoses, clamps, cap, thermostat,
and coolant first. When starting this job the mechanic spotted coolant dripping from
the forward area. We couldn't see the source of the leak, but removed the belt
and when turning the water pump we can hear slight squealing sound.
OK get a water pump, and belt tensioner (it was rattling too).
Now I've read that the cyl head gaskets on my year are notorious for being weak.
They used fiber, and the replacements are metal. (Car has 45,000 miles).

Now the question - what am I risking by NOT fixing any cyl head leak for now.

I use this car for maybe 1000 miles a year in the summer. I figure I can wait
and see if the leak gets worse, and fix it later, if at all. I just don't want to risk
a major blow-up and huge expense.

Any comments are appreciated.
TIA

 

[Da Hawaiian Punch]

I've been having a small persistent coolant loss for several years. I never see
the actual source of the leak, nor is there any coolant on the garage floor. I smell
coolant from time to time, and the coolant overflow bottle goes down. Maybe I
lose 1 cup every 100 miles. I decided to replace hoses, clamps, cap, thermostat,
and coolant first. When starting this job the mechanic spotted coolant dripping from
the forward area. We couldn't see the source of the leak, but removed the belt
and when turning the water pump we can hear slight squealing sound.
OK get a water pump, and belt tensioner (it was rattling too).
Now I've read that the cyl head gaskets on my year are notorious for being weak.
They used fiber, and the replacements are metal. (Car has 45,000 miles).

Now the question - what am I risking by NOT fixing any cyl head leak for now.

I use this car for maybe 1000 miles a year in the summer. I figure I can wait
and see if the leak gets worse, and fix it later, if at all. I just don't want to risk
a major blow-up and huge expense.

Any comments are appreciated.
TIA

Heah man, check the oil stick and see what color it is, if it's a milky color, you've got water in there, if not, it possibly something else.
It could be leaking from some where so slow that it never reaches the ground, the heat of the engine just it evaperate away, a possibility you know.

 

[Mart]

Coolant leak

I have the same issue, it appears the C4 has a wierd rear intake manifold leak, very small and not allways present.

I noticed it with a few drops of oil at first, I thought it was a rear main seal, only to talk with a mechanic and he described my problem to a "T".

Remove and reseal the intake manifold and all is well.

It is very difficult to see the leak, you are better off looking from underneath the car.

That was my problem, maybe look there just in case....

Mart

 

[Tonylong]

Follow up

Thanks for the responses.
Looks like the leak was only the water pump. Had it replaced Saturday
and found there was "stuff" clotted around the hole at bottom of the
shaft surround. This wasn't visible until the pump was removed.
I didn't see any leakage from the manifold or cyl head during a pressure
test, so I didn't do any more work.
I'll keep an eye open for further leaks.