Recently I found out that when my engine is cold the top radiator hose 'collapses' and I got advice to check the level in the radiator when the engine was cold. I filled it to the top and put the car thru a few heat cycles and then bled the system. Well I thought that was the end of it...Nope, again I check when the engine is cold and the hose is collapsed again and coolant was down. Once again I added more coolant and bled the cycle when it was hot. Now again this morning I go out and check it and sure enough it's the same thing! So where is my coolant going?! There is still coolant in the overfill but it keeps lowering in the radiator. I highly doubt I have a blown head gasket because I have no signs at all of one, car runs real strong, no hesitation or overheating and I never drive the car hard. I don't know if this is important but, everytime I pull the radiator cap there is a suction release and the collapsed hose returns to normal shape. Can anyone help me on this?

 

Check your oil. See if it looks milky. I would pressure test your system. They make a cool little tool you put over your radiator and you pumpp it up. It will build up pressure in your system. And show you the leak. How often do you have to put in coolant? They also make a tool that you can poor a dye into a container. Put it over your radiator. Hook it up to vacume and see if it changes color. If it does you have a problem. (blown head gasket , somethig crackes, ect) You dont need to drive your car hard to blow a head gasket. A blow head gasket could be due to improper assembly. Ive changed head gaskets on plenty of old ladies cars that dont drive there cars hard. Im not saying that it. You really just need to loook into all options. Good luck.

 

That sometimes happens when you bleed the car hot.

Make sure your overflow is full. Not just half full. It should suck coolant from there when its cold.

I don't even bother with the bleeder screws anymore. I just open them to get the initial air out and as soon as I see coolant start sputtering out I close them.

Go for a drive, when your coolant light comes on or the temps start going above the 1/2 way mark, add more coolant to the overflow. Drive some more, repeat.

I've done it once this way and my brother in law has done it 3 times this way. No air was left in the system.

 

Could it be a radiator cap? I'll try your way Grip. I mean the car never over heats and anything. Once I sat in stand still traffic for 2 hours and never had any over heating problem. I'm hoping it just something stupid.

 

Check ur heater core.

 

If the hose keeps collapsing replace the hose, see if it helps anything. Not like a hose cost alot.

 

The radiator cap has two vavles in it, one pressurizes the system to a set amount, and the other vents coolant from the overflow back to the engine as the engine cools. The latter valve has failed in the cap. Buy a new cap.