Miffed by water loss and no pressure in water system

SpaceDawg · Feb 3, 2016

Hi,

Ok my motor is a 1990 90 200tdi, I have had water usage since I have had it and I've already have one hose replace and yesterday I tightened up another which was leaking after I put a pressure tester on the system.

After I tightened up the hose last night I re-pressure tested it 15psi on the tester left it for 30 minutes and the pressure was still there ok.

Today it still lost a little water after a run and when I pulled into my driveway I left the engine running and squeezed the pipes the top radiator pipe was soft, grr. So I took of the expension tank cap and there is water there.

So to date I have had the water pump done, this was done when I did the cam as a precaution, the top pipe on the radiator has been done and also I have pressure tested it twice, last night it was fine, no doubt I'll test it again.

There is now water in the oil in the engine, not oil in the water and no gasses in the expension tank.

The car is not overheating, but I'm bugged by the water loss and lack of pressure.

Short of replacing the radiator, heat exchanger and all the pipework I'm miffed.

Any comments or clues?

flat · Feb 3, 2016

Your radiator hose should be squeezable by hand that's normal, a rock hard radiator hose is a problem.

Maybe your using water due to head gasket failure? What's the exhaust like?

SpaceDawg · Feb 3, 2016

Exhaust all ok no smoke at all post statup puff and the head was completely done 1 month before I got it at a cosy of £700 to my mate.

zeaphod · Feb 3, 2016

An exhaust gas check will show if it's getting burnt with fuel. More likely you have a small leak that doesn't show up on the pressure test. Around the P gasket is a favourite spot. How much water is it using? A litre every 100 miles?

Flossie · Feb 3, 2016

P gasket is 300 TDI?

lynall · Feb 3, 2016

Well if theres water in the oil its head off time.

Shifty1962 · Feb 3, 2016

Checked the expansion cap is sealing OK under pressure?

SpaceDawg · Feb 3, 2016

I have a new expansion cap arriving tomorrow will give it a go and update everyone....

Kwakerman · Feb 3, 2016

If you are getting water in the oil there is a chance that your radiator has an internal leak between it and the oil cooler.

IamRobbie · Feb 3, 2016

I think that's a typo. I think he means no water in the oil

Kwakerman · Feb 3, 2016

IamRobbie said:
I think that's a typo. I think he means no water in the oil

OP said "There is now water in the oil in the engine, not oil in the water and no gasses in the expension tank" The way I read it is that he is saying he is getting fluid transfer one way but not the other?

Come on Spacy, clarify if you have water in the oil.

lynall · Feb 4, 2016

Dont forget the oil pressure is way higher than the coolant pressure, so I dont reckon its the cooler in the rad.

Kwakerman · Feb 4, 2016

lynall said:
Dont forget the oil pressure is way higher than the coolant pressure, so I dont reckon its the cooler in the rad.

He also said he had pressure tested the cooling system which would mean no pressure in the oil system at the time. Also when you stop a hot engine the oil pressure drops to zero but the water system remains under pressure until it cools.so there is still the potential for water to oil transfer though admittedly you may expect to find oil in the water too. Might be worth the OP disconnecting the oil cooler pipes and re-pressurising the cooling system and leaving it at pressure for a day, any water coming out of the radiator oil cooler connections would indicate an internal leak or otherwise.

SpaceDawg · Feb 4, 2016

Oops my bad, there is no oil in the water, and no pressure in the water. Havent got the new part yet so no update today.

Shifty1962 · Feb 4, 2016

Does your front screen mist up when using the blower? If so you may have a weeping heater matrix when under pressure.

SpaceDawg · Feb 5, 2016

Hi, no the screen clears with the heater on, also I put the new pressure cap on and still no pressure after a trip.. Hmmm..

SpaceDawg · Feb 6, 2016

ok, I have decided to run some dye through the system next week, recheck the pressure today and if both are inconclusive I'm going to take the head off get it checked and also fit a new gasget, I need to do the rear diff as well so I might as well bite the bullet and get it done. I'm not happy having no presure in the system at the moment.

flat · Feb 6, 2016

SpaceDawg said:
ok, I have decided to run some dye through the system next week, recheck the pressure today and if both are inconclusive I'm going to take the head off get it checked and also fit a new gasget, I need to do the rear diff as well so I might as well bite the bullet and get it done. I'm not happy having no presure in the system at the moment.

Your not far from me, I am Sayers common.

If you want a look at mine to compare pressure etc your welcome

SpaceDawg · Feb 6, 2016

Right another update, so I put a new pressure cap on it yesterday, I have now pressurized the system again just a little over 15psi and, more LEAKS!

Here are some photo's of the radiator and a leak in the pipe going towards the heater matrix, me thinks its now deffo a new radiator and pipework.

ivancrx · Feb 6, 2016

I have been having exactly the same problem, except that I have a new radiator, new heater matrix, new hoses, new thermostat, new water pump, no visible coolant leaks any where, but after about 7 miles the temp gauge reads just under the red. I have been topping up the coolant every day hoping it is just an air lock slowly working it's way out. There is no mix of oil in the water or water in the oil, so I wouldn't think it is hard gasket related?

Miffed by water loss and no pressure in water system

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