M

Mendez

Active Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #1

Hi All....I suspect I may have a failing head gasket.

Symptoms: Loosing small amount (approx. half litre) coolant each week with no residue / leaks on the driveway.

Was pricing up head gasket replacement kits when I came across this stuff:

Steel Seal Head Gasket Repair | Head Gasket Repair | Steel Seal

Anyone use it before?
Tom

 

Monkey13

New Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #2

White smoke? Pressurized system? What engine is it?? Obviously I have to say the only job should be done is a head gasket to do it properly but I have used k seal and it worked a treat so it's up to you, it's easy to say get the head gasket Done but you haven't got the funds to hand or can't take the car off the road other ways can be good until you can afford to get it done etc

 

M

Mendez

Active Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #3

Its a TD5. there's no white smoke, no brown stuff in the oil etc...none of the obvious signs other then the fact that its loosing a small amount of coolant.

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #4

look at the rad often they have a small leak that doesnt show unless under pressure, also all the hoses were they join especially

 

Monkey13

New Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #5

Td5 rads go at the top so take plastic cover off at top and inspect

 

R

rigsby999

Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #6

From what you say it appears that you have no symptoms of a failing head gasket and only one sign, ie. water on the drive.
I would strongly suspect that you have a leak elsewhere and you need to check that out first.
You don't really want to be putting head gasket sealant in the system if that is not the problem!!
Have a good nose around the coolers, all the hoses, rad. and cor plugs. you can buy some blue dye to put in the water system and that makes it much easier to see.

Have fun

 

johnlad

Well-Known Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #7

also check the drain on the water pump, they can weep from there

 

I

iansoady

Active Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #8

My coolant level used to drop slightly (for about 3 years since I bought it) and I discovered it was the rad leaking slightly at the bottom - not enough to drip but when I shone a torch down I could see the dampness at the bottom.

A new one (pain (literally in terms of skinned knuckles) to fit) about a year ago and no drop in coolant level since.

 

robhew86

Well-Known Member

• Aug 16, 2014

• #9

Have you replaced the expansion bottle cap with genuine cap? They are known to be a cause of coolant loss issues on TD5's.

 

cambridgecockney

Active Member

• Aug 18, 2014

• #10

Try fuel cooler and replace water pump.i had the same issue and these were my problem.

 

KevAmiga

Active Member

• Aug 18, 2014

• #11

something like this may help?

Make an Auto Radiator Pressure Tester

 

J

janderson41

Active Member

• Aug 18, 2014

• #12

I'm with Robhew 86.
Check the tightness of the cap on the expansion tank.
I had similar small loss and after tightening the cap a wee bit the level has not moved in over 5 months. For the cost, even trying a new cap before going into a heavy cost which may not be needed.
Worth a try.