Cooling system paranoia - findings and your views

[markxw]

Having heard so much about head gaskets, ive been paranoid about my S2 111S since i got it. Especially since my old peugeot drank a pint of water a week. The water level refuses to stay anywhere near the min and max on the header tank, there is steam out of one exhaust and the radiator often has steam coming from it. Temperatures have always been a ok.

So far, though, I've found out that the left hand exhaust steaming is merely a function of the emissions control, and perfectly normal. Radiator steaming only on wet days - and you prob already knew it but its just rainwater on a hot rad.

As for the water level, im still a little concerned, but people tell me its a common occurence. The header tank never empties but seems to find a natural level between 10mm above bottom of the tank when cold and about 10mm below minimum when hot.

Annoyingly, warranty means a system check (pressure and HC) wd cost £100 if nothing shows up, but a test showing a fault, or anything damaged by full-on head gasket failure would be fully covered...

So, what have others experienced re water levels?

[cuzza]

As long as it's got a stable level then don't worry. The system ejects the excess (as far as it's concerned) and then the level will stay constant as long as there are no leaks.

[uldis]

Go and buy a new cap. It's a very cheap item from Rover and you will make sure it holds the pressure where it should. Yours may be weak.

Then add some coolant (or water if it's only a little) to the min level when cold. It should stay around there when cold and around max (or up to 2 cm above) when hot.

[VTECMatt]

You will no when the HG goes trust me on my 2nd in 500 miles.

[Bonce]

Mark, you are being overly paranoid. The coolant level on the Elise always settles on the MIN mark (slightly below min on mine). Any extra above that will always be spat out.

Check your coolant and oil levels regularly but don't let worrying about them spoil the enjoyment of your car!