Coolant going down to LOW mark of tank in just 6 months normal?
I brought my car to Automotive Excellence in Huntington Beach, CA last December because my radiator was leaking badly, and I didn’t have much choice but to have it repaired to avoid damaging the engine.
They charged me about $1,000 to install aftermarket Torque Solutions silicone radiator hoses. I specifically asked for OEM rubber hoses, but they told me those would cost even more. At the time, I checked with several other shops, and most quoted between $400 and $600 for the same type of repair. Although I felt the price was very high, Automotive Excellence had excellent reviews, so I decided to trust them and hoped the work would be done properly.
Fast forward about six months, and I’ve noticed the coolant level in the overflow reservoir has gradually dropped to nearly the “Low” mark. I’ve been checking it regularly over the past several months and have seen it slowly decrease over time. I also noticed dried coolant residue around the T-valve cap connector.
I brought the car back to Automotive Excellence and explained my concerns. They inspected it and told me there were no leaks. When I pointed out that the coolant level keeps dropping and showed them the coolant residue, they said it was normal because coolant evaporates over time, and that the residue was likely caused by opening the cap.
The problem is, I’ve never opened that cap.
Is this actually normal on an Evo X? I’m asking because I’m frustrated and honestly don’t believe this is normal. At the same time, I want to give the shop the benefit of the doubt before I jump to conclusions or take any further action.
Thank you very much for any advice or insight.