Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: eyad on 17 April 2007, 01:50:37

Title: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 17 April 2007, 01:50:37
Hello gents,
I drive an Omega 2.2 16v, engine Z22XE
coolant level  slightly decreasing  evey 3-4 weeks , and this happened more than once. the alarm in dash board goes on , I add about 300 ml ( 2 coffee cups ) of coolant and the alarm goes away.

The car does not overheat ,
According to local Opel dealer there is no leackage or known problem ( i.e:normal ?!).
I could not see a clear sign of any leak anywhere in engine room .But I don't buy that its normal! :o

 if anyone has some tips of what could be worng , please arm me with info before going to maintenace again!.
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: wakeyomega on 17 April 2007, 07:53:31
I had exactly this on my 2.5 Omega. Several years before I found the cause, the local dealer warned me I had a very expensive water leak. By accident I discovered is was no more than the radiator tap which was weeping. I was having to top up every 1000 miles. I never saw any water on the drive so must assume it was weeping very slightly but only under pressure. Good Luck

Pat
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: old cruiser on 17 April 2007, 08:55:17
Also run your fingers round where the pipes join onto the coolant tank to see if they're wet, particularly the lower one as mine was leaking here(more noticeable after a few minutes of turning engine off) had same symptoms as yours
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 17 April 2007, 11:36:35
thanks guys,

since in this model there is no radiator cab , I'm assuming it could be the coolant tank or cover weaping  under pressure or the pipes joining coolant tank.

I'll examine these . thanks for the tips!. :)
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: ians on 17 April 2007, 12:31:12
Could be your heater bypass valve seeping, although in my experience (2x) when they go they go.

If it is only leaking a bit it may be evaporating before it hits the ground.    
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: tunnie on 17 April 2007, 12:43:48
Quote
thanks guys,

since in this model there is no radiator cab , I'm assuming it could be the coolant tank or cover weaping  under pressure or the pipes joining coolant tank.

I'll examine these . thanks for the tips!. :)

There is a radiator tap on the 2.2!!

Its the red tap on the passenger side, see here:

(http://tunnie.co.uk/omegaforum/guides/coolant/DSC06345.JPG)

It also could be a weaping water pump, when was it last changed?
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: ians on 17 April 2007, 14:04:55
I think he meant 'cap' but may be wrong..
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: TheBoy on 17 April 2007, 18:41:18
All Omegas have radiator drain tap, as pictured by Tunnie above...
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 18 April 2007, 11:16:26

yes , there is radiator tab , I thought you were reffering for upper cap as in other cars.

any ways, about the heater bypass valve , how can i check it its  about to break.
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: ians on 18 April 2007, 11:23:08
I am not sure where its located on the 2.2 - but its bound to be highly inaccessible >:(

On my 2.0 , which may well be the same,  it is low down between the engine block and the bulkhead into the car.  Access from underneath.   Its a black plastic unti with three pipes coming off it and a vacuum pipe.  

Someone with a 2.2 can confirm though. (tunnie?)

Have a look under the car to see if there is any dripping when its running first of all.
Otherwise get it up on stands/ramp and see if you can locate any dampness on it.

You are not losing a huge amount of coolant so its likely to be difficult to detect unless the engine is running or just stopped.

..and watch you dont burn yourself on the exhaust
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 19 April 2007, 11:49:31
Folks,

I searched the hoses, water pump ....etc and coolant tank/cover for any sign of leak, evaboration or moisture just after turning off the car ....nothing un-usual.

how ever , I found a v. large wet area on radiator front side and traces of moisture below the radiator ( on the lower plastic protection cover )   near/ below the front bumper).

I think radiator is 1st thing to check ?

Just can't find the radiator tab, even running my fingers around it:-/
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: TheBoy on 19 April 2007, 13:58:19
Quote
Folks,

I searched the hoses, water pump ....etc and coolant tank/cover for any sign of leak, evaboration or moisture just after turning off the car ....nothing un-usual.

how ever , I found a v. large wet area on radiator front side and traces of moisture below the radiator ( on the lower plastic protection cover )   near/ below the front bumper).

I think radiator is 1st thing to check ?

Just can't find the radiator tab, even running my fingers around it:-/
Being a hot country, the pool of water isn't condensation from A/C condensor, rather than related to your coolant loss?
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 19 April 2007, 14:17:05
its not summer yet here , and I did not start the A/C since months ago :) . usually the excess condenced coolant drops down the car into the ground via some hose.
 but the water pool on the radiator front  shouldn't be considred sign of leak/evaboration ?
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: TheBoy on 19 April 2007, 14:24:28
Quote
its not summer yet here , and I did not start the A/C since months ago :) . usually the excess condenced coolant drops down the car into the ground via some hose.
 but the water pool on the radiator front  shouldn't be considred sign of leak/evaboration ?
Is it pure water that you see, or the sweet smell/taste of antifreeze?
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: old cruiser on 19 April 2007, 14:31:18
have a closer look at the bottom hose as it could be weeping and running down from there, otherwise could just be a faulty Radiator.
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 19 April 2007, 14:33:41
Quote
Being a hot country, the pool of water isn't condensation from A/C condensor, rather than related to your coolant loss?

Aircon condensers get hot, not cold, its the condensator that gets cold....

Can you tell us which side the leak is on......as viewed from the front of the car
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 19 April 2007, 14:39:52
i guess i will need closer look and check radiator.
thanks a million.
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: eyad on 19 April 2007, 14:42:18
well , the pool on the radiator is on the right hand side standing in front of the car. not sure about the left side since radiator is covered a many plastic part.
the lower hose is on the lower left side , where i found some wet traces of coolant ( antifreez)
Title: Re: Coolant level decreasing
Post by: old cruiser on 19 April 2007, 19:27:27
It could be the radiator to lower pipe joint that's weeping then, in which case it might be worth checking tightness of the clip and or replacing with new Jubilee clip and see how it goes.
Cheers Pete