Here is the frustrating part.
1. The temperature gauge is always at the correct range.
2. There is no white smoke coming from the exhaust.
3. I checked the dipstick and it doesn't seem to have any "frothy" substance.
4. I don't think there is any oil in the coolant - but can't tell for sure.
5. The fans are both working properly.
6. I replaced the thermostat, which was probably worthless but it was an easy process.

Ron, before today, I wasn't exactly sure where the coolant was coming from. I knew it was definitely coming from around the cap AREA. I wiped everything dry before I left work. I drove about 35 miles and checked it. Around the radiator cap was dry. Around the hose, which goes from the radiator to the reservoir was dry. The antifreeze was definitely coming from around the reservoir cap. I could tell where it was running down the reservoir. In your picture, I'm 99% sure it is coming from around the reservoir cap, which is white plastic. On the way home, I stayed right around 55 mph. Usually, I go a little faster, probably working the engine more. This morning I put a hose clamp on the hose, which connects to the radiator. It blew off this morning on the way to work, which caused me to put the clamp on.

I left the car running when I got home and checked under the hood. The reservoir tank was full, which I'm assuming is normal since the car was running. I looked close and could see little air bubbles coming up from inside the reservoir.

I checked in my Haynes manual to see what the procedure is to replace a head gasket - holy crap! I hope that's not what it is.

Thanks so much for your help!

Ken

 

I was also wondering if there is a possibility that the reservoir is cracked or has a bad seal around the cap? The issue of the air bubbles in the antifreeze, though is what scares me. PLUS, wouldn't a pressure test catch a leaky reservoir?

 

check the radiator inlet at the top hose to see that it isn't cracked underneath the hose a little bet

 

I had a similar problem about small bubbles coming from the antifreeze but does not show any white smoke at the exhaust or contaminated oil. It was a slight leak in the headgasket. Pressure can build up in cooling system when combustion gases leaks through the head and the block.

 

if i were you id be changing the oil out, as fast as i could, to get a good look at it. cheap check for a possible serious problem. hell you could reuse it if you wanted to, although i wouldnt.

 

Yeah, I would have to agree with others. You likely have a blown head gasket. You may want to compression test the cylinders and also do a leak down test (see compression test link in my signature) to verify.

 

This morning I didn't have to drive as far as I usually do to work. I only drove about 18 miles compared to 34. I get to work and check under the hood. NO ANTIFREEZE LEAKING ANYWHERE!!!!!!! Would the shorter drive not cause the antifreeze to leak out?

What the heck?

 

How does THIS sound to you guys? What about an "air lock"? I stopped at another garage today and he thinks for sure that's what it is.

 

I just went out and checked the car after it cooled down. Shouldn't the antifreeze go back into the radiator after it cools down? The radiator was empty and the reservoir was full???????

 

Yep, I had the same problem. Pressure builds in the cooling system and it doesn't allow the coolant to return to the radiator. The pressure is exhaust gases that displaces the coolant not from the normal expansion from the engine getting hot. On a functional engine when the engine cools down, it will create a vacuum that will suck the antifreeze from the resevoir. Since there is so much pressure in your coolant system, the antifreeze will not recycle. Also, I could hear air rush out the rad cap when I remove it in the morning when the engine had a chance to cool down.

Still sounds like a headgasket problem. The airlock or air bubble can cause similar problems, you can bleed out the air but I think the problem is beyond that.