problems of mine

[es sex0727]

i was driving home from my gf's house when i noticed my thermostat in the danger zone lol. then immediatly after i saw that it took a dive to a little above where it usually sits. the drive is only like a mile and a half. i figured it was just a fluke. well i was driving today to school more like 35 miles watching the thermo like a hawk and sure enough it did it again, but it starts fluctuating it will go up for a while and then dip down to regular and then go up again. and no change in driving will affect this at all. so i get out of school and check the coolant and i cant see any in the ittle circut sports tube thingy. so i drive to the nearest gas station and fill it half way. well between there and home all of it was gone. this is where i sit now at home needing to get to work. if u could guys and gals please run a couple of ideas by me. as it is i am gunna try and put some coolant in and see if i can notice a leak, and pray i dont have to do my headgasket. also there is no evidence of fluid anywhere near the tank so i know that isnt leaking. what would a blown headgasket do to the driveability of the car. would i notice a huge drop in performance. i just need clues is all because the car seems to be driving fine.

[matt_240sx]

Sounds like a leak to me. Check your hoses and radiator. Possibly the water pump as well..

[LoserCard]

How old if your thermo?

[Eion]

are all of your rad hoses oem? you're going to want to change them sooner or later.

[StryfeS13]

Change your thermostat...drill a 1/8" hole in it too. Helps it bleed out air.

When you change your thermostat, drive it around town for a while, stop, then check your coolant level. Add more coolant (it will be low).. repeat until you no longer need to add coolant.

Oh, and if it really is "disappearing" as fast as you say it is, you may have bigger issues...but lets hope not. Try the thermo first.

[DamonDread]

best bet is to fill it up and check for leaks while its running. Most of the time its just a hose. Also if water pump goes bad it will start to weep. Could be thermo too, but usually you will see steam comming out the resivoir (sp) if that gets stuck closed. Try not to freak out and start thinking head gasket. Check all the simple things first, and then if its still an issue start worrying.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Rent a cooling system tester and check for external leaks. (1.5 bar for 30. minutes) If pressure doesn't hold and you cant find a leak, then you should check compression. If that checks good, replace the thermostat and hoses if they are spongy or weathered.