Loss of coolant
Discussion
Numpty question, but here goes......
Been noticing that I've been losing a lot of coolant over the last two weeks (about a litre a day !!). When topping up I can't see any obvious leaks so am a bit puzzled
If I had a hole in the radiator, wouldn't I see some form of leakage? If it was a split pipe or something I'd expect to see steam when hot ??
Anyone got any ideas? (NB - Its a Cerbera)
Cheers
Been noticing that I've been losing a lot of coolant over the last two weeks (about a litre a day !!). When topping up I can't see any obvious leaks so am a bit puzzled
If I had a hole in the radiator, wouldn't I see some form of leakage? If it was a split pipe or something I'd expect to see steam when hot ??
Anyone got any ideas? (NB - Its a Cerbera)
Cheers
Bandit,
I had this problem with my Cerbera, maybe not to the same extent as you, but I was constantly topping up the system.
I had the system checked a couple of times, and one problem that was identified was there was a leak at the radiator bleed screw - which was replaced. But, I still had to keep topping it up.
Eventually, on the way into Castle Coombe, it leaked coolant everywhere. I got it checked out again, and this time there was a hole in the radiator. It was replaced, under warranty, and I haven't had any problems since.
I too couldn't see any visible signs of a leak, and I guess I was putting in about a litre of water every couple of weeks.
Not much help, I know.
Neil.
I had this problem with my Cerbera, maybe not to the same extent as you, but I was constantly topping up the system.
I had the system checked a couple of times, and one problem that was identified was there was a leak at the radiator bleed screw - which was replaced. But, I still had to keep topping it up.
Eventually, on the way into Castle Coombe, it leaked coolant everywhere. I got it checked out again, and this time there was a hole in the radiator. It was replaced, under warranty, and I haven't had any problems since.
I too couldn't see any visible signs of a leak, and I guess I was putting in about a litre of water every couple of weeks.
Not much help, I know.
Neil.
If the leak is in the heater, it might be leaking *inside* the car. So worth checking to see if you have a swimming pool at the bottom of the passengers footwell! If it isn't that, the head gasket is the next worrying possibility. Have you checked for oil in the water and vice versa?
Thanks for the reply guys.
Checked the water for oil.. no sign
Not technical enough to know how I might check the oil tank for water though !
Cars performance is not effected and theres no smoke or anything coming from anywhere so hopefully it won't be the head gasket.
Anyone know what the symptoms might be if it were?
Off to APM on Saturday to see if Andy has any ideas.
Checked the water for oil.. no sign
Not technical enough to know how I might check the oil tank for water though !
Cars performance is not effected and theres no smoke or anything coming from anywhere so hopefully it won't be the head gasket.
Anyone know what the symptoms might be if it were?
Off to APM on Saturday to see if Andy has any ideas.
Similar amounts of coolant being replaced over a few months. Eventually noticed a big puddle under front near side of car. Turned out to be a rad leak that had 'developed' with time! Had the rad recored for abount 175 quid inc vat. Pig of a job (especially the night before Mania!) but all's well that ends well 
I've just had a new rad as I had coolant puddles under the car every morning and you could see the leaky area going blue on the rad. Now I find that if I fill up the expansion tank to about half full and go on a run when I check it next morning it's got about 1" in the bottom of the expansion tank and you can see splash marks as if it's coughed it out the cap.
Am I filling it up too much ? - where is the best level in the expansion tank ?
Is the cap faulty ( blue VW golf one )
Snorky
Am I filling it up too much ? - where is the best level in the expansion tank ?
Is the cap faulty ( blue VW golf one )
Snorky
Every car will find its own coolant level. Used to fill the expansion tank half way and exactly the same happened - leaked through the cap. I now leave it about 1/5th full and it seems happy. Any level is OK as long as there is some in there and it remains constant.
Best way of seeing if the cap is OK is immediately after switching the engine off when hot, see if there is a hissing noise from the cap. There used to be on mine, replaced it and now OK
Best way of seeing if the cap is OK is immediately after switching the engine off when hot, see if there is a hissing noise from the cap. There used to be on mine, replaced it and now OK
GreenV8S said:
If the leak is in the heater, it might be leaking *inside* the car. So worth checking to see if you have a swimming pool at the bottom of the passengers footwell! If it isn't that, the head gasket is the next worrying possibility. Have you checked for oil in the water and vice versa?
Sadly you were right about the head gasket Peter!
Cars off to Blackpool again.
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