Cooling SystemDeal checkCommunity Starter

Anyone else: Coolant level slowly drops with no puddle

MileageBuyer66Community StarterMay 15, 20262024 Ford Mustang GTCalifornia
Reservoir moves from full to low over a few weeks. No puddle, no obvious hose leak, and the oil looks normal. Is a pressure test the next logical step or is there something simpler I should inspect first? Trying to diagnose before I book a shop.
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15 replies

MileageBuyer66Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 15, 2026permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2024 Ford Mustang. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
BoostedGal30Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 15, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Ford Mustang is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “coolant level slowly drops with no puddle,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2024 Ford Mustang in California. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
NorthTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 15, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Ford Mustang so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
MileageBuyer66Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 15, 2026permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2024 Ford Mustang. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
NorthTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2024 Ford Mustang numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? I'd rather be boring and correct. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
TrackMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Ford Mustang, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. Any freeze-frame data saved? Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
TrackMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 15, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2024 Ford Mustang numbers without them. Do that before you talk monthly again. This is from a 2024 Ford Mustang in California. When does it actually happen? I'd rather be boring and correct. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
BoostedGal30Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 17, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: I would not wire money until I've seen the 2024 Ford Mustang and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
TruckDad19Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2024 Ford Mustang numbers without them. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “coolant level slowly drops with no puddle,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Parts cannon is a personality type I try to avoid. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
CleanNerd68Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
Asking because it changes the advice: I would not wire money until I've seen the 2024 Ford Mustang and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
MileageBuyer66Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
I asked about coolant level slowly drops with no puddle again and they still won't put GAP/add-ons on their own lines. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
TruckDad19Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2024 Ford Mustang and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. Monthly payment math is how wallets disappear. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
PixelDriver28Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Ford Mustang, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. That's the part that actually changes the decision. The universe charges extra for guessing. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
TruckDad19Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Ford Mustang is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. On “coolant level slowly drops with no puddle,” that was the fork that mattered for me. The universe charges extra for guessing. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
TorqueEnthusiast74Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 16, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Ford Mustang price probably got worse. Then the comparison gets honest. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
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