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[Terbs]

Hi all....

Just had cambelts and water pump done...low coolant warning coming up. Called in to those that did the job. and they checked for air locks. They said there were no visable leaks, but they spent quite a while doing the water. No bodge job place...family, and I get 'Royalty' treatment from all the mechanics. I carried on to Brackley, where I checked the water again, and it had gone down, but not to warning level. I topped up again, drove the 40miles back home and it has gone down slightly again.
I have checked the HBV with heating/air con in all positions and it is as dry as a virgins tush. I have been all over the engine, at least as much as I can get to, and all is dry.
There are no wet carpets inside either.
Can the air in the system take a while to work its way out, or is there something more sinister.

Thanks
Tony

[Kevin Wood]

I find the system self-bleeds pretty easily, so I suspect a leak. Is the coolant drain valve on the nearside of the radiator dry? Maybe it's failed to re-seal?

[Kevin Wood]

I should also add that I changed my water pump a year ago and that leaked. Pattern pump, and the O ring behind the pump had turned to plastic within 2 weeks use. Replaced it with a gen. VX O ring and has been fine since.

In this case the water was not easy to spot. It eventually emerged onto the lip around the sump, just to the right of the crank pulley.

[amba]

Once the system has been fully opened ,such as removing the water pump,you can expect some small pockets of air to remain for a while.

Bset bet is to remove expansion bottle header tank and leave on fast idle for 20-30 mins or so atleast until the thermostat opens and cooling fans start running.Even then you may find a small drop for a while but doesn,t sound like a real problem as despite me topping my coolant bottle up to the top level ridge when cold I have always lost about 10mm of level but never a drop more.I have checked,rechecked and then checked again and like yours mine is drier than the driest thing possible so think its just a VX thing !!

[Terbs]

Job has only been done 36 hours ago, Kevin. I can't see the drain plug....it seems well hidden. I have been under and above, but all is well covered. But from reaching in, feeling, looking, using a torch, I cannot find anything untoward.
Is it worth putting in one of those coolant system leak things

If all else fails, I'll monitor it, and see what happens. If its a heater matrix, I assume the carpets would be wet ?

[Kevin Wood]

Is it worth putting in one of those coolant system leak things

Nooo! 

Keep an eye on it over a few days, and if it's still dropping, the best thing to do would be to remove the scuttle and plenum and then pressure test the cooling system, so you can see if there are leaks in the less accessible places such as around the oil cooler plate.

[Terbs]

I can remember at the Wycombe meet last year, you, Jamie, Chris had the plenum off of Radar's engine and used my footpump to pressure test his system. I believe you found a leak in the depths. 

[amba]

I would be just inclined to monitor it for  a few days .

Top up to level when cold and stick a bit of masking tape on bottle and draw line where coolant level is .Check evry day and see what the drop is ..if any ..then go from there.

If it wasn,t loosing any prior to recent work and the only think in the water system that has been replaced is the water pump then suppose that could be the issue as KW has said ,but I would just monitor it a while if its only dropping a little.

[Terbs]

Thanks Amba....got it running now to warm up, and I'll do as you say, monitor for a while

Cheers fellas

[Terbs]

*Update*

Left the engine running for 20 mins...took it round the estate....got back opened the bonnet....all clear, then revved it and water came out of the cooling fan area...

Seems like rad is fubared Is it an easy or hard job to change it Also would you fit a used one from here or only fit a new one

Thanks

Tony

[Cliffo B]

As Kevin say's check the drain valve
Go under forward of the passenger front wheel
Might be easier with R/H steering lock
It's about on the bottom corner of the radiator

[amba]

If garage drained coolant via the radiator drain plug...passenger side front..they may have not seated correctly or washers might have had it.

You should be able to see if coolant is dripping from rad drain plug just by looking up from under the front nearside just under bumper.

Could you see a definite leak from the radiator then ?

[Terbs]

Cliffo B/Amba...when the water came out, it was through the fan, and some of the water is sitting on top of fan hub mounting

I can't take off the rad cover, cuz swmbo has gone out in other car with all my tools in it.

I have just left it running again and revved it, but no water now...it must be intermittent

[Kevin Wood]

Hmm. Sounds like the rad if it's that high, but check the rubber hose that runs across the top of the cooling fans.

The radiators often go due to a crack in the plastic just below where the top hose meets the radiator.

[amba]

Agree at that height it has to be radiator tubes or casing.

If radiator best option would be to buy new as could just be fitting a similar damaged unit,although does need thorough investigation first as no point buying whats not needed.

Possibly worth a pressure test when engine and coolant have cooled down as that should help identify .