coolant leak in 2008 versa

[toothmouth]

Ive developed a coolant in my 2008 Nissan Versa at 8400 miles. I took it into the dealer. they did a pressure check and it came up negative. There are no visible sighs of a leak, except for the fact that the coolant recovery reservoir and Radiator have a significant drop in level after several days of driving. I am picking up a slight sweet smell in the cab when running the outside vent/ air conditioner. I'm pretty certain it's not the heater radiator element because there is no evidence of coolant liquid inside the cab.

Anyone have this same experience?

I'm suspecting a peripheral head gasket leak.

[Driving Instructor]

I had the same issue in my 2007. My reservoir dropped to empty a couple of times. I brought it in to the dealer and they did the same thing...checked it out..everything is ok.

Now, I guess the leak got plugged up with something and now it does not leak.

What I noticed is the smell of the antifreeze.

Have fun.

[Slither]

No leak but I'm @ 2 years. so I should get mine flushed?

I have to laugh my recovery tank has level marked with green marker pen - early batches do show... sans SL/S on the hatch too.

[BBISHOPPCM]

No leaks here yet, but I would definitely follow the standard 2 year/30,000 mile requirement for changing the coolant. Nissan uses a standard phosphate ethylene glycol coolant, which is not considered "extended life." Changing the coolant regularly will help extend the life of the water pump, radiator, and heater core, as coolants do contain corrosion inhibitors that break down over time.

[Slither]

When I phoned and booked a service at the dealership today they told me no need to change coolant at 2 years. It's long life stuff, they insisted only need to change @96,000 Km.

Really? I'm more inclined to agree with a flush now as I do mainly short trip/ city driving. Much harder on a car than alot of highway miles.

I'll ask again when I take the V in in a couple of weeks.

[randyshemin@comcast.]

I also noticed the smell when ours was new, but it's no longer noticeable at 6 months and 12,000 miles.

[dl56zza]

When ever there is a loss of coolant that can not be detected externally, suspect cylinder head gasget failure. This can allow coolant to be forced into the oil (yellow gunk under oil filler cap) or into combustion chamber(white exhaust smoke on startup) or combustion gasses into the coolant. Depending on the severity of the leak, a static pressure test may not test positive, especially if done with the engine cold or not running. I pasted some the following text from Troubleshooters.com>>>>>>> How to Test for Combustion Gasses in Your CoolantYou can use a "Block Tester" to chemically determine whether there is exhaust gas in your coolant. These "Block Testers" are sold by NAPA stores for approximately $45.00. The quote I got from my local NAPA dealer was $45.99. He didn't have it in stock, but said he could have it the next day. The relevant NAPA catalog is called "The PSA 2000 catalog" or the "Balkamp Catalog". The catalog calls the Block Tester a "combustion leak tester kit", so that's probably what you should ask for. From what I understand, it comes with a ball, tubes, test fluid, aspirator bulb and engine adapter (cone shaped device you place in your radiator filler cap). If there's exhaust in your coolant the test fluid changes color. I don't know how to use this test kit or how good its directions are, but my local mechanic expressed the opinion that an ordinary person could use it to perform the test. Needless to say, for safety reasons it must be performed BEFORE the engine overhats (in other words at the beginning of the day).

I don't know how accurate this test is. As more information comes in from Troubleshooters.Com readers we'll get a better idea.

[toothmouth]

Since I first posted this problem, I've been monitoring on a daily basis, the level of the coolant recovery reservoir and noticed a marked drop of coolant, about an inch a day. To me, that indicates a leak. What's perplexing, is there is no real visible signs, I.e. puddles on the driveway, green tinted ooze on the hoses and engine compartment. Any ideas on what could be happening? The dealer did do a pressure test that came up negative. I don't know if they performed the test with the engine off.

[Driving Instructor]

Let me make sure I understand the problem. Your reservoir is dropping 1 inch every day. If this is true, your reservoir will be empty within a week or so.

I had the same problem. I would check my reservoir when it was cold. One morning, it was empty. I had it towed in COLD, they checked it and said...nothing wrong, they topped off the reservoir and away I went. Happened again, they topped it off again and ever since that time, it has stayed the same!.

SO, let the reservoir go TOTALLY empty. Call to have it towed cold have it towed in cold and they will top it off and you will loose your car for the day!

Have fun!

[sooner4x4]

Since I first posted this problem, I've been monitoring on a daily basis, the level of the coolant recovery reservoir and noticed a marked drop of coolant, about an inch a day. To me, that indicates a leak. What's perplexing, is there is no real visible signs, I.e. puddles on the driveway, green tinted ooze on the hoses and engine compartment. Any ideas on what could be happening? The dealer did do a pressure test that came up negative. I don't know if they performed the test with the engine off.

I would consider this significant coolant loss if you see a drop of an inch every day in the engine coolant reservoir. Page 8-7 of the Owners Manual says, "If the cooling system frequently requires coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN dealer". I think your situation fits this condition. The dealership should find out what the problem is. I would also expect, that if this much coolant is making it's way into the engine (head gasket leak - worse case scenerio), it should show up as white sludgy stuff on the dip stick after a few weeks. This would have to be suspected if no leaks are observed anywhere.

The Service & Maintenance Guide calls for coolant replacement/flush every 30,000 miles or 2 years if you follow the "Premium Maintenance" schedule. Not a bad idea if your driving is all stop and go. Otherwise the standard frequency of 60,000 miles or 4 years as specified in schedule 1 or 2 maintenance is fine. The Owners Manual also specifies "Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant", but based on their recommended change interval, it is certainly not long life.

On the other hand, a very occaisional addition of a little coolant to the reservoir is common on every car I have ever owned. I am talking a few ounces once a year or two.

[Driving Instructor]

OK......so I bring in my car to have the rad fluid checked out. When I checked it this morning, I ONLY had about 1 cm or radiator left in the overflow bottle. So when I brought it in, of course it was hot and the level in the bottle was up, just over the MIN mark.

So, they said it was ok, it's normal to fluctuate that much. My concern is I check my antifreeze in the COLD STATE. This way it's more accurate.

My question is......where the F^(*&W does the antifreeze go????

[rick o]

I have an 07 versa manual and is planning to flush a new coolant in the V. What are the steps and where do I drain the coolant in the block?

Can anyone show a picture of draining off the excess coolant from the block?