About once a week i have to top off the reservoir because i have a leak and i cant figure out where it is coming from. I've ruled out the heater core because its not showing any symptoms of a heater core issue ..the inside of the car doesent smell and the carpet isnt wet, the heater is blowing hot air and there is no leak around the inlet/outlets. There are no leaks on the ground and it is not mixing with the oil. It is not over heating at all and very rarely do i see any steam coming off the engine. Ive only noticed it at night time briefly in front of my headlights when im outside of the car looking close at it. The outside of my windshield does get coolant residue on it and i have to clean it periodically. There really isn't any white spots on the engine that i can see where i may have a leak. I did change the reservoir cap three days ago because i seen it was faulty but my coolant levels did drop in the past three days. The temperature gauge never passes halfway and it never overheats. Periodically there will be steam out of the back of the car but it is Michigan and it is generally cold out. Any ideas?

 

What motor? What year is your car?

 

1998 2.8
160,xxx

 

Just had the same issue with my 98.5 2.8 AHA.

In my case, turns out there were cracks on the sides and underside of the plastic coolant reservoir that would "weep" when the engine was hot. Just a little tiny drip but enough to need a top-off a couple times a month.

Drive your car for a bit and then check for a drip underneath the reservoir and/or on the hoses connected to the reservoir.

 

Since it gets on your windshield, I wonder if it's coming from the heater hose that connect to the heater core right under the windshield. That's about the only place I can imagine coolant getting up on the glass.

 

I thought it was the inlet/outlet to the heater because there was white residue built up around it the first time i noticed coolant loss. I wrapped paper towels around it and drove it to for a few days and i kept checking it to see i they would get wet and they did not but i still lost coolant. Also i will check the reservoir for leaks. Thanks guys.

 

Both of mine have needed new Radiators and one a heater core. Check your radiator closes leaks on the bottom right side. Will usually just look damp.