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[Help] Coolant vanishing in Sonata 2009Hi! I have a Sonata 2009. On the 85,000 service (oil change, filter change, etc.) the Hyundai quick service guy noted unusually low level of coolant in the radiator with the reservoir empty also. He filled the radiator up (engine started) and put some in the reservoir and it drank almost the full gallon. A few minutes later however, the reservoir was empty again and when he checked the radiator the coolant level had gone down. He checked everywhere for a leakage and couldn't apparently see one. He also noticed some oily residue near the cap where he was putting coolant in the radiator. However, he check the engine oil/brake oil, they did not seem contaminated. He asked to switch on the AC, and made a comment that the fan strength was low. But he couldn't give me any more info and said to get the radiator and pipes etc checked from the bigger workshop. Due to winters, the AC is not usually running (the heater sometimes is on though) but the car temperature gauge is always showing the needle slightly below the mid-way mark, so no apparent heating issues. What can be the problem. |
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did you check your floor board to see if it is wet? Could be that the heater core is leaking or maybe your head gasket is leaking but usually there would be a sign in the oil if it was.
When the blower is running do you smell a sweet smell like the antifreeze? |
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to alirazafazal
The coolant can't just disappear, it is either leaking to the outside or into the engine. Since the oil isn't contaminated and you see no obvious signs of an exterior leak take it to the shop, have them properly fill the system and perform a pressure test. There will be many theorys that will be proposed in this forum, but just having the shop of your choice perform some simple testing should resolve your mystery. |
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said by bmilone2:Since the oil isn't contaminated It is quite possible to have an engine/headgasket problem that doesn't show as contaminated oil. The OP's comment about oily residue around the "cap where he was putting coolant in the radiator" indicates one avenue of investigation (possible headgasket). I am not sure why either you or the Hyundai quickservice guy didn't have it looked at while at the dealer. The odds of a diagnosis there are far better than from guesses in a forum. |
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skipon11 Premium Member join:2005-06-09 Pittsburgh, PA |
to alirazafazal
When was coolant level checked prior to this? |
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to alirazafazal
Forgot about freeze plugs too could leak but its like everyone said if you are not a do it yourself take it to a shop and let them check it out. |
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to alirazafazal
You don't say where you live, but here in NY I have has 2 cars that have used coolant. One a 1990 V6 Tbird (head gaskets, they all leak) and a 2002 Buick Century, (lower intake manifold gasket, they all leaked too).
When it's freezing or below freezing water vapor poured out of the exhaust so much that I could hardly see to back out of the driveway.
Both used a quart or so of coolant every week. A gallon disappearing in a few minutes is pretty excessive.
The Ford Tbird that I had (a wonderfull POS car) also sprung a leak in the heater core and soaked the carpets. The windows misted up every time I turned off the A/C. As lostinms mentioned it also smells, although in my case, the windows misting up is what I noticed before the smell. |
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Thanks all. I am based in Saudi, but an expat. The quick service shop isn't a full fledge dealership workshop and hence couldn't get it checked at that time. Plus language issues, as an expat I have little understanding of Arabic.
The coolant was last checked on the 80,000 service, I don't regularly check it, never had problems before. I am going to take it to the dealership, however, just wanted to have an idea of what I could be the causes. Easier to explain to the mechanics and to understand also if they come up with the diagnosis. |
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