Freelander 1 Water leak (I can see steam)

Ok, so the latest problem with my Freelander 1 is what I believe to be a water leak. Usually I lose no oil or water. Oil is still good but I'm losing some water and can see steam.

When I say losing water think 150 ml over a 150 mile journey.

So with the bonnet open I can see steam (I think it's steam as I can vaguely smell anti-freeze in it) coming from the front offside area of the engine bay. It's around the offside head light/ PAS pump/ alternator kind of area but I can't tell if it's coming from the rad side or the engine side. There's not a lot but it is noticeable. I've had a good feel around and can't find any moisture. When I was looking earlier the PAS pump didn't sound great (squeaking) but it went away once the engine was warm and I'm not convinced that it's related. When I first noticed it I thought it was wispy exhaust fumes from the car in front as it really isn't dense steam; it's actually quite hard to see.

Before I start removing bits to try to get a better look does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be down there? Any idea where to check first as I think it's only going to happen with the engine hot and I'm not totally sure what bits I can take off and still run the engine.

Fritz

Normally the first place to loose coolant is the tank cracking or the cap going on the fritz

Or possibly a pin hole in top hose or overflow pipe

It might help if you say what engine it is! On L Series the water pump is on the back of the PAS pump - so could be that.

GrumpyGel said:

It might help if you say what engine it is! On L Series the water pump is on the back of the PAS pump - so could be that.

Click to expand...

I'm guessing it's a TD4, going on past posts

Thanks for the replies.

Yes it's a 2002 TD4...Is the water pump in the same place on that engine? Looking last night I think it's coming from somewhere quite high up...Could be the return to the fill tank I guess.

I'll try to have a closer look today

Fritz

Well I'm still none the wiser. I removed the air inlet pipe and the screen wash bit to see if I could get a better view but I still can't find where it's coming from.

I've felt all around the top rad hose and it seems ok (at least dry to the touch). Return to the expansion tank seems ok too.

One thing I did notice was that the PAS pump is getting quite hot. You can touch it but you wouldn't want to have your hand on it for too long. Is it normal for the PAS pump to get hot? I'm now wondering if it's oil residue as I had oil coming out the dipstick because of a block filter at one time so it's got a covering of dried oil.

PAS fluid reservoir is also hot to the touch. Again not boiling: I can keep my hand on the outside but there is very noticeable heat there

Just to let you guys no that it wasn't steam. It was the alternator on its way out.

Also damaged the heavy duty cable from alternator to starter motor which I now need to source but that's for another thread

Fritz