Slow coolant loss

RobRainford · Jul 21, 2013

Hi guys

After a point in the right direction for fault finding.

My disco has been running great. Apart from the usual oil leaks (I know where they are all coming from) I've got a coolant leak. I can fill it up and I can get about 2 weeks before it gets low and the temp needle starts to climb. I've been reading around and it seems that it could be the head gasket going funny? It doesn't leave any wet spots from coolant on the floor. There is a slight leak around the back end of the rocker cover too, but would think this is oil.

Is it worth me getting it into a garage to get it checked over?

Cheers

jamesmartin · Jul 21, 2013

youd be better just changing gasket as its too slight to show on tests to be 100%,head gasket if it lives 10 years isnt bad they wont last forever even with good coolant system ,poor cap ie not holding pressure could cause loss over time as could a leak that only shows once fully hot and working

West Slope Rover · Jul 21, 2013

There are many ways to loose a bit of coolant on a Rover, one of which is HGF. It's sometimes difficult to spot the location of little leaks. Check your radiator for pinholes. Check your hoses (especially the smaller ones) and clamps for wetness. Check the water pump to see if it is weeping coolant from the little hole on the bottom. After you rule out these possibilities, then move on to the head gasket. Is your expansion tank pressurized when you crack open the cap?

And now that you knows it's leaking, don't wait for the needle to move before you add more coolant.

RobRainford · Jul 21, 2013

West Slope Rover said:
There are many ways to loose a bit of coolant on a Rover, one of which is HGF. It's sometimes difficult to spot the location of little leaks. Check your radiator for pinholes. Check your hoses (especially the smaller ones) and clamps for wetness. Check the water pump to see if it is weeping coolant from the little hole on the bottom. After you rule out these possibilities, then move on to the head gasket. Is your expansion tank pressurized when you crack open the cap?

And now that you knows it's leaking, don't wait for the needle to move before you add more coolant.

I have planned to change all the hoses at some point soon. Just need to get round to it. They are old now so will be perishing.

When the engine is warm there is pressure in the tank so I open it slowly and you can hear it gurgling in the system.

It's happened twice. The needle creeps up to about 3/4 and I just take it easy and get the heaters on to pull some heat away which helps.

Water pump seems dry underneath.

I shall investigate getting the head gasket changed in the near future then.

jamesmartin · Jul 21, 2013

RobRainford said:
I have planned to change all the hoses at some point soon. Just need to get round to it. They are old now so will be perishing.

When the engine is warm there is pressure in the tank so I open it slowly and you can hear it gurgling in the system.

It's happened twice. The needle creeps up to about 3/4 and I just take it easy and get the heaters on to pull some heat away which helps.

Water pump seems dry underneath.

I shall investigate getting the head gasket changed in the near future then.

its not a difficult job on tdi, no timing issues etc hg would be something id look at soon

blackhadder · Jul 22, 2013

And it's a good skill to learn. Need it again you may, my paduan...........

MPfive · Jul 22, 2013

I had a similar problem,mine turned out to be a hair line crack in the expansion tank. You could only see it when it was up to normal running temp and under pressure. Glad i found it early,wouldn't of wanted it popping on me. As said now you know you have a problem,get it done now before it realy lets go.

Steviecops · Jul 22, 2013

P gasket? Any rusty staining on the block behind the alternator?

Slow coolant loss

RobRainford

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jamesmartin

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West Slope Rover

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RobRainford

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jamesmartin

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blackhadder

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MPfive

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Steviecops

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