Losing Coolant..

[jianelli]

Hi,
I have a slow leak in the coolant system, can't really find where very easily, I add about a quart every 3 months (4k) to the overflow tank... I noticed you all recommend K seal but I bought Bars Leaks from a recommendation for my 9000 years ago.
Has anyone used Bar's Leaks? I got the pelletized formula...
BTW: '00 9-5 LPT 2.3 with 193k on the clock.
Thanks for any advise/help.
John

[Audax]

Have you checked the heater bypass valve mounted on the bulkhead at the back of the engine bay? it's a very common culprit for small amounts of water loss. Failing that it's most likely a hose has degraded somewhere with a very small leak which means you'll have to look for any coolant staining. Also, if your car is an automatic, just check that there's no water in the gearbox oil or oil in the coolant as the gearbox radiator is built into the main radiator, if it splits then water in the gearbox can be fatal to the car.

[jianelli]

Thanks,
It is a 5 spd manual. I did look on the firewall behind the fuses but did not see anything... It is a bit hard to see stuff back there. What would I look for? I have done the big hoses over the past year but not the heater hoses...
Thanks very much for the info..
John

[jmblack]

Is it not sometimes a sign of impending water pump failure?

[jianelli]

I did replace the water pump and idler & tensioner pulleys about a year ago.... before they were going to fail...
Thanks,

[sgould]

This is the valve you are looking for.  Saab removed it on some later cars.  Some owners have been removing it anyway.

[jianelli]

Thanks! I found that (it's kind of hard to get to...) and the hoses look like the original ones, at least the two going from that to the firewall... It would seem that a Y connector (eliminating the valve) and new hoses may solve the problem... any suggestions where I can find the y connector?
I really appreciate the help...
John

[jianelli]

A quick search found this for $22 US. It looks like the left side goes into the engine and the right into the fire wall... Is that right? no directions are given...
Thanks,

[sgould]

It's the valve that leaks, not the pipes.  Cheaper from a Vauxhall dealer.  Almost cheaper than that kit.  Probably cheaper if you include the postage.

[jianelli]

There is no sign of leaking at the valve itself. The hoses are real soft (14 years old too...) and I would rather simplify and remove the bypass switch. Has anyone done this?
Thanks, John

[nine-fiver]

How do you know it isn't burning the water? Is there any milky residue in the oil in the oil filler neck, or oil in the coolant reservoir? Head gasket is not a common problem but it may be worth getting the cooling system pressure tested. Then you will know either way. A radiator place can do this for you.
Is there any weird smell in the aircon vents? Then another possible culprit is a leaking heater core. Don't ask...