Q&A

Its going somewhere....worse case its a bad head gasket and engine is pushing it out the tail pipe. Could be a slow leak you may not see. A cooling system pressure test is needed to check for external leaks first.

How can you tell the radiator is running out of coolant? If it's because the Temp Sending Unit gauge is showing the engine is running hot, and you have been driving it a while like this, you may be beyond the initial cause for the leak and may now have a secondary leak, like a bad head gasket. IF this is not the case, then 1) Check for obvious signs of radiator fluid leaks - like the radiator cap atop the radiator (look for signs of dried antifreeze that has run down the radiator); check the connections of the radiator hoses (upper & lower) at BOTH the radiatorwater pump, and radiatorupper intake manifold, and then check the overflow tank for signs of leaking. When the car heats up, a small amount of antifreeze (radiator fluid) will move to the overflow tank. After the car is turn off, the engine cools and antifreeze is sucked back into the radiator (this happens normally every time you take your car for a drive and the engine warms up). Next you can pressure check the coolant system. The pressure check will reveal an external leak or can be used in conjunction with confirmation of the looks of your spark plugs to confirm the leak location (the cylinder that is taking in the coolant will have heavy white deposits on the spark plug). If you have these deposits, take it to a mechanic for an estimate on repair (which will likely involve getting a new head-gasket). Good Luck.