Engine coolant

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: edh



Another thing to try is to attach a plastic bottle to the overflow from the expansion tank (once you're sure it's back at the right level). If the cooling system is getting pressurised then you'll start collecting water as it gets pushed out.

that's a good idea . It could be the filla cap is lifting off at too lower pressure also

 

[Frazerb]

Aaaaahhhhhh coolant!!! Bain of my life just now!

I have the problem of my car can go for weeks not loosing any and then suddenly it can loose a good two pints. The leak seems to be from the bottom of the engine - right in the middle - but until I can get the leak happening and then get all of the plastic underpanles off I can not see it. Is there a valve or something down there? It does not seem to be from the waterpump.

I popped into my local "expert" and he suggests a pressure test? Any idea how effective this is.

Also anyone any pictures of the underside of an S2 with the plastic underpanels off.

Sorry for hi-jacking this thread but coolant aint my best subject matter at present......

Cheers..FB

 

[Robbo149]

Bugger... I could have taken some pics for you last weekend Frazer. I had my under tray off to fix a leaking screenwash bottle.

Cheers,
Robbo

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: Frazerb

Aaaaahhhhhh coolant!!! Bain of my life just now!

I have the problem of my car can go for weeks not loosing any and then suddenly it can loose a good two pints. The leak seems to be from the bottom of the engine - right in the middle - but until I can get the leak happening and then get all of the plastic underpanles off I can not see it. Is there a valve or something down there? It does not seem to be from the waterpump.

I popped into my local "expert" and he suggests a pressure test? Any idea how effective this is.

.

Cheers..FB

pressure test is quite good. Basically they pressure ize your coolant system via your filla cap and see if the system loses pessure over an hour or two. It should of course lose none. If a dye is used it may show up where it is leaking from.You might see where it is leaking after a good run when the engine is nice and hot and the coolant system is fully pressurized.

Also check carpets internally in case you are losing coolant from the heater hoses or rad.
I would check that your fan/s are cutting in as they should just in case there is an intermittant problem there

Might be an idea to put a hose and pop bottle on your expansion tank to see if the engine is getting hotter after switch off and overpressure is releasing coolant from the expansion tank cap.Do you ever see a rise in normal operating temperatures lately?