Coolant bottle won't empty.

[GreenNYellow67]

I have been having an issue were the coolant was leaking because the water pump went bad. What i could not figure out is why when the coolant would get low the coolant in the overflow bottle would not go into the system. It has been full all the time and green in color, but the radiator would be low and brown in color. Any ideas why the system would not pull from the bottle when I would go low.?

[96 SSEi]

hi, the overflow is mounted higher than the rad so it should flow freely into rad when low: make sure the hose from o/f to rad is not twisted or kinked. if its good, remove hose from rad filler and blow into it - air should bubble in the bottle - if not, you have blockage - get coat hanger and fish it through to unblock.....thanks

[gmman]

if corrective action described above does not remedy problem, it is possible that you have a faulty radiator cap, leak in engine system or radiator. as I understand the 2 way action of the coolant system, when engine is shut off, the engine will heat above running temp due to heat soak. coolant will be forced from system thru radiator cap and to o/f container. as engine cools, coolant will be drawn back into the radiator thru the radiator cap.

if you are not seeing coolant leak on driveway and coolant level in o/f bottle remains normal, my guess is pressure leak in engine. have you checked oil to ensure now water in oil?