Loss of Antifreeze

Discussion in '1967-1972' started by daj67, Feb 1, 2005.

  1. daj67

    daj67 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2004
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Mount Vernon United States
    My friend has a 72 chevrolet pickup that is leaking antifreeze. Each time he fills up the radiator and starts driving it, he loses antifreeze from the overflow and then when it is parked and engine cooled down, he opens the radiator cap and cannot see any antifreeze in the radiator. I am puzzled. Any help would be appreciated.

    D. Jones
     
  2. dvalentine

    dvalentine Charter Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2000
    Messages:
    1,774
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Replace the thermostat. It sounds like it's not opening...

    DVal
     
  3. bjs70c10

    bjs70c10 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    16
    Location:
    Ballwin USA
    Hey guys, I have a 70 pickup and I had the exact same problem. If the motor is not overheating, then the thermostat should be ok. The problem with mine was actually the radiator cap; the spring had worn out and it wasn't holding enough pressure, so I was losing fluid out the overflow. If you can determine that the fluid isn't going out the overflow then the head gaskets are suspects. They can be checked with a simple compression test on all of the cylinders. But remember the radiator has a fill line that is about 3/4, if you overfill the radiator than you will lose some out the overflow. It should hold enough that you can see the fluid though. Hope this helps.

    Good Luck and God Bless,

    Brian
     
  4. dvalentine

    dvalentine Charter Member

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    1,774
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Good call Brian ! I think you are correct...

    DV
     
  5. daj67

    daj67 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2004
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Mount Vernon United States
    Thanks for all of the help. I wondered about the thermostat however I never thought about the radiator cap. He couldn't tell what the temperature was because it has a idiot lights instead of guages. he plans on changing this problem. Thanks again!
     

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