Anti-freeze Always Low
 

I noticed over the past couple of months that my anti-freeze is always low, about 3" under the minimum line but doesn't go any lower. I can always smell it outside of my car but i can't find a leak. I think it might be the heater core from want I've read but can't say for sure. Has any one experienced an issue like this or have any idea of what might be wrong? Also my windows where fogging up on the inside to the point where I'd have to wipe it off with a towel. I hasn't happened for a little while, not sure if that's a symptom of a bad heat core.

Could be the heater core. Can you feel any dampness in the floor board near the core. Also, check the water pump. You could have a small leak around the shaft. I always hated little stuff like that, they're quite hard to track down. Good luck.

There is but it's winter it could just be water, there's no smell. I'll take a look at the pump in the morning.

Some of the heater supply/return hoses run through the intake manifold on the 4.6L V8's. Just had to have mine replaced. But certainly the heater core and/or water pump can be the culprit(s).

There's a good chance it's the coolant housing, their made of plastic and held together with glue, seems to be the most common issue when you lose coolant and can't find a leak. On the next warmish day I'll check all of my hoses, pump and housing and update my thread. Thanks for all of the help.

Dan, do you have a V6? If so, check the thermostat housing. They are made from sheet metal and are known to rust away, especially over 100k miles.

Yes, I'll take a look. I'm at 92000mi.

Here is a pic of my thermostat housing. I couldn't really see coolant leaking but it seems like there's something going on around the glue seal.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/themust...218b68bbb8.jpg

It's hard to tell, there's definitely something crusty there by that seam, but water will also tend to collect there, and it looks like you've been doing some winter driving, so the crusties might just be dried salt. You could start the car cold and start smelling right in that area as the car warms to see if it's coming from there. You could also take it to a shop to get the cooling system pressure tested.

I'll make an appointment to have it tested.

I was just out and checked with the engine running. There's definitely neon green fluid dripping out, it seems to be a slow leak; I'll going ahead and order a new housing. I'm sure it will only get worse over time. Thanks for all of the help. Now it's time to call my insurance company and try to get my rear bumper fixed, a plow banged it a pretty good a couple days ago.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/themust...08bc7eb95b.jpg

There are some hoses/pipes under the intake manifold (valley) that run to the back and they may be leaking under there.