My coolant is going down really slowly


My coolant is going down really slowly Mechanic's Assistant: How many miles on the car? How has your mileage been lately? 92000 Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? Citreon picasso c3 20...

My coolant is going down really slowly Mechanic's Assistant: How many miles on the car? How has your mileage been lately? 92000 Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? Citreon picasso c3 2012 Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your vehicle yourself? What have you tried so far? I have put dye into the coolant to see if I can find the leak, but can't see anything. The coolant is going down a couple of mm every month or so. It has only been noticable over a longer time period

Automotive Expert
Hello, I'm Tyson with just answer I can assist you today. There may be a slight delay due to site and ignore the just answer call pop ups they have can be confusing.
Automotive Expert
It sounds to me like you have a head gasket leak directly into a cylinder head, thats really the only location it could go and hide the dye as it would burn off. Shocking to me it has not gotten worse overtime however.

could it be a leak anywhere else. Since I have put the dye in, the coolant level hasn't decreased at all
Automotive Expert
until it leaks down with the dye it would be hard to tell. if it hasn't leaked with dye yet it still could be somewhere else but the fact you haven't seen any evidence does point to internal

what kind of damage might it have already done to the head gasket if that is the case?
Automotive Expert
given the tiny amount and possibily of it going into firing chamber, none. if it was alot it would be a major issue, or if it was leaking into the oil. how long have you had the car?

coming upto 3 years. I have reguarly checked the oil and it hasn't gone milky in colorwhat would the fix be? Would it be a new head gasket?
Automotive Expert
there is a chance the leak could be located above exhaust headers and just burns off. such a small amount of loss is hard to track. if it was a head gasket, with a small leak you really need some of that dye to come through.

I plan to do about 300 miles before I can book it into a garage, do you think that would be safe to do?
Automotive Expert
it's not leaking now so it's one of those things where if you shop it they are going to be guessing. have you driven alot in the months it's leaked?

about 17000 miles!
Automotive Expert
yea i mean based on that it should be the same as before. only other option is to shop it they'd test drive it try to find it.

if I don't shop it now, when would be the best time to do so do you think?
Automotive Expert
it has to be leaking but have you had it on a lift to check under really well?

not yetthank you for your help
Automotive Expert
you're welcome. sorry you're in a strange spot but if the dye leaks out you should have some answers.

But there should be no immediate serious damage?
Automotive Expert
its not leaking currently so i would think not however if it does start leaking again that would change.

Thank you
Automotive Expert
you're welcome.

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