Ok, so this Car has yet another problem, and I'm about ready to just sell it. My coolant stayed at the same level for years since I owned this car. A day after the coil and plug change I noticed it was a little under max, but I didnt think anything of it. But around a month later now the coolant reservoir is completely dry. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

slow leak from cracked radiator or water pump O rings

 

I experienced the same issue with my 2001 Maxima. Starting last summer my coolant level would gradually drop over several months. It was a small crack in the radiator. It was not enough to leave a spot of coolant in the parking lot of my apartment complex, but over several months the level in the reservoir would drop.

 

When you pulled the upper IM to reach the back plugs, did you disconnect/manipulate the coolant lines near the TB? Wouldn't be surprised if those old lines are the leak source, considering all this started right after you did the plugs.

 

Yes, thats what I was assuming.. I wonder if the coolant leak got into my alternator since it was just acting strange

 

Oh, did this happen right after you changed the coils? Mine went from full to dry in a month

 

Yes, exactly. Just in this case one had nothing to do with the other. The radiator just failed do to age, not replacing a coil pack. Sorry I was not clear in trying to point out one might not be related to the other.

 

Oh I see. Only a day Before coil 3 was changed, I took my car to a nissan specialist to have the coils tested. The whole time I was in a nervous wreck because like most mechanic shops, they don't allow customers to watch/ enter the work area due to insurance "this is why I hate taking my car to shops". I ended up getting pissed because they checked everything that had nothing to do with the misfire when I only wanted the coils tested. They told me the reason it took so long is because they couldn't get the radiator cap off and that its stuck on . I easily removed the cap myself yesterday, So i'm hoping that they only damaged the cap, or left it halfway open. I have that red lever that you have to pull up before removing the cap. My brother changed the radiator 3 years ago. I don't notice anything leaking from my car but oil, and though the reservoir is dry, the radiator still has coolant, So I ordered a new bottle of dex cool since the local store charges 20$ per gallon

 

Dexcool??? You might want to ponder that before using it. I've read a lot on it and maybe the formula has changed but I've read it will gel up when exposed to air and when mixed with general old style traditional coolant...even the smallest amount will react.

Just do your homework and BE CAREFUL with dexcool. I wouldn't use it myself.

 

Yea I'm aware of the bad rep on dex cool, but when my brother changed the radiator a few months before I purchased it, he flushed everything out and put that in, so I don't have any other choice at this point unless i flush the cooling system completely. I don't think dex cool was the problem since it didn't have any leaking issues prior to the shop mechanics getting to it.

 

Buy the coolant from walmart. It's the cheapest and same thing as name brand. You can use any universal coolant. They mix.

**** GM and their retarded coolant.

 

As I understand it the dexcool and air issue is WHY the overflow tanks are pressurized and not open to atmosphere. My yukon is that way and when I got it and learned dexcool i made sure to flush it no matter what brand of type it had in it.

The e2La (or something like that) chemistry bond in the dex is the issue, apparently.

Bobistheoilguy has tons of info on it.

 

I've never been a fan of those caps with the lever.

You may have disturbed a coolant line while removing the intake. There are two that go up to the throttle body.

Most parts sellers have a tool loan program where you can borrow a coolant system tester. It's a kit that includes a hand pump with a gauge and cap adapters. You pressurize the radiator, and cooling system, so you can look for leaks with the engine off.

 

lol I was just about to trade my car for a 2010 tahoe. I never used Dex cool in my GM(aurora), but the coolant tank would overflow and empty out until a used an oil additive "engine restorer", amazingly after I used that I never lost anymore coolant. Im afraid to put that in my i35 though. I think it contributed to the cat failing in my old car

 

Yea those lever caps are strange, When I lift up the lever it makes a suction noise, then a drain noise from the coolant reservoir. I would hate for it to be a disturbed coolant line. I checked the lines while the car was running, but that doesn't mean it's not coming out at high speeds.