Hi Everyone,

The car has been sitting for about a year and I finally took it out the other day. I plan on replacing all of the fluids and doing a Tune-up, but I had to do an errand so all I did was top-off the coolant.

Now, the next day I check the reservoir and the Coolant level is back down to MIN. Level, exactly where it was PRIOR to me topping it off. Keep in mind I drove less than 10 miles.

I want to know WHAT is causing the coolant to drain so drastically.

BACKGROUND: Prior to putting the car away, I had someone install a JDM Navi.

Now, the first time he worked on it, it was blowing out constant Heat. I went back to have him fix it and the A/C does not work all-together, but is idling weird. It feels as if it is trying to turn on???? But there is no air blowing out.

I am pretty sure this is what is causing the coolant to drain? Does this sound accurate to you guys?

Obviously, it could be a hose leak (which I have not yet checked). Any other ideas as to what is going on???

I would go back and have him work on it again, but honestly, he lives 3 hours away (6 hours round trip, not including traffic) and I cannot make my way over there right now, because I live in Cali and cannot afford to get pulled over (cannot find my CARB sticker).

Does this sound like something caused by the wiring he did? Or is this something within the engine bay and/or a more serious problem??

I am really STRESSED OUT right now about this, so if anyone can help me diagnose this problem and suggestions of how to resolve/fix, I would sincerely appreciate it. I am pretty much on my own here. Total STRESS

Thanks guys

 

first the coolant. If the car has sat for a awhile you need to bleed the system. There could be air in the system. As far as the ac he might have not connected the heater box cable back. What kind of car

 

Hi, thank you for your reply!

Ok, you mentioned bleed the system, should I also flush it out?? I think I read somewhere to put a hose and fill it with water??? Is this right??
RE: heater box cable
I think you are correct? I just assumed he left it disconnected since it's not blowing out anything at all...
It is a 00 SI.

Now, I read a long time ago on a Navi Thread that I may need to switch out the HVAC with that of a 96-98 in order for this unit to work. Is this correct?

I am just really stressed out because everything in the dash is pretty much beyond me, and I'm not sure how to fix it or when it will get fixed and I am worried this will cause other problems down the line (i.e. heater core????)

 

When cars sit for long periods of time without being started, [a year is a very long time] seals tend to dry up, especially true for A/C "O" rings, but also applies to rad and heater hose connections.

I agree with killer about the control head, probably was not plugged in/connected properly when the "Navi" was installed so it is causing the problems with the heat and A/C, that will however have nothing to do with your coolant loss, if you actually have one.

After sitting for a year all fluids, including gas, should have been changed before engine was even started.

One more thing, if the HVAC problem is just something unplugged, you may find the A/C works at first but within a week or so stops cooling, that goes back to dried up "O" rings, very common problem on vehicles that sit for a long time without being started and the A/C run, lubricant, Ester or PAG oil is carried throughout the A/C system in the refrigerant, [R134a in your case], no lubricant = dried up and leaking "O" rings, resulting in loss of refrigerant and requiring the replacement of the "O" rings, [all of them] and a recharge.

Pull the radio/HVAC control head housing and make sure everything is connected properly and no leads have been "pinched off" when Navi was installed, this should help... http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs...PDF/466005.pdf 94