Freelander coolant loss (surprise!)

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ihateit

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The wifes heap is losing coolant and I nor the combined brains of the local main stealer and local garage can find it.
It had a head gasket may 2009 and its done 2000 miles since, head was skimmed.
Its had a new stat.
Its had a new expansion tank.
Its had a new cap.

Symptoms are you can smell it when hot (coolant that it is) but neither I nor the mechanics can see any staining on the block. Im at my wits end with the bloody thing. How can one car be so bad.:doh:
LADS I NEED HELP.
 
I've checked the oil theres no sludge. Im still confused by the coolant smell when its warm, im led toward the cap lifting early (as shown in one of the posts on here) but they're all new?
 
might be a small pin hole in a hose, which lets a very fine spray out when hot. because it's so hot, it turns to steam straight away so it doesn't leave a mark, but you can still smell it.

good luck
 
if it has OAT coolant in the system, it shows up as an almost fluorescent die when being sprayed around the engine bay. You could use a UV light to check.
 
can suffer from weeps on block/head face joint if it was pitted-look for stains as it can be bugger to spot
 
DD3 said:
Heater matrix?
Click to expand...

Mine's exactly the same. Slight coolant loss and slight coolant smell in the engine compartment. No smell from the heater which is rather new so it can't be that.
My theory is that my new MLS head gasket does not seal perfectly when the system is hot and under pressure.
 
ihateit said:
The wifes heap is losing coolant and I nor the combined brains of the local main stealer and local garage can find it.
It had a head gasket may 2009 and its done 2000 miles since, head was skimmed.
Its had a new stat.
Its had a new expansion tank.
Its had a new cap.

Symptoms are you can smell it when hot (coolant that it is) but neither I nor the mechanics can see any staining on the block. Im at my wits end with the bloody thing. How can one car be so bad.:doh:
LADS I NEED HELP.
Click to expand...

Got a 2002 that's doing the same. Just bought a new expansion tank and cap. Waiting on the tank arriving, already replaced cap. We'll see what happens.
 
Heres a post from 2009 under the heading where's my coolant gone, which explains how i fixed my version of the symptoms you have. There's other suggestions on the thread if you search for it.

Good luck


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My two pen'orth;

Have you got a really strongly coloured coolant? The LR stuff is brightly coloured to make these issues easy to trace.

My water pump went two weeks ago, at the beginning of the cold weather (when they usually go!). Its hidden behind the timing cover so not easily seen.

I lost about 600ml water in 4 miles. Lucklily I had just checked level and needed screenwash, so went to buy some before a long trip, opened the boonet - hey presto empty coolant reservoir!

I couldnt find any trace of a leak and feared the worst! No contamination in oil so I topped up and ran up to temperature.

In the cold weather, I could see the faintest faintest faintest sign of steam (but only in strong torch light) coming from the crankshaft pulley area, and white paper test to undertray showed bright red coolant staining (dry). I took the upper timing cover off and could faintly see steam coming from the area below the pump. With a torch, I could also see very minor red staining to the timing case / block.

New pump £30, but did the timing belt kit, £48 at the same time - parts from Unipart all on shelf items at all branches.

The above might not be correct in your case, but might help you and others mis diagnosing as HGF!!!!

Good luck mate.
 
slomo said:
Heres a post from 2009 under the heading where's my coolant gone, which explains how i fixed my version of the symptoms you have. There's other suggestions on the thread if you search for it.

Good luck


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My two pen'orth;

Have you got a really strongly coloured coolant? The LR stuff is brightly coloured to make these issues easy to trace.

My water pump went two weeks ago, at the beginning of the cold weather (when they usually go!). Its hidden behind the timing cover so not easily seen.

I lost about 600ml water in 4 miles. Lucklily I had just checked level and needed screenwash, so went to buy some before a long trip, opened the boonet - hey presto empty coolant reservoir!

I couldnt find any trace of a leak and feared the worst! No contamination in oil so I topped up and ran up to temperature.

In the cold weather, I could see the faintest faintest faintest sign of steam (but only in strong torch light) coming from the crankshaft pulley area, and white paper test to undertray showed bright red coolant staining (dry). I took the upper timing cover off and could faintly see steam coming from the area below the pump. With a torch, I could also see very minor red staining to the timing case / block.

New pump £30, but did the timing belt kit, £48 at the same time - parts from Unipart all on shelf items at all branches.

The above might not be correct in your case, but might help you and others mis diagnosing as HGF!!!!

Good luck mate.
Click to expand...

Went out to check coolant on mine this morning and reservoir tank virtually empty!!! This is the thrid time this has happended this week. No signs of contamination, nice pink coolant, nice black oil. I've had the engine running for a bit and can't see any leaks, although there is a bit of grey coloured spray marking around the engine (I think it was just slush from the crappy weather we've been having). The engine tray does look as though it has a bit coolant collecting there (I'll try the white paper test).

It seems to be when it is left laying overnight that the problem arises. If I fill the coolant tank and drive the car it generally is fine, loses coolant overnight though, any ideas???

I've replaced the expansion tank cap and will be fitting a new tank when it arrives, don't think either are the problem though.
 
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