Chalky.

Chalky.

Well-Known Member
Hi All!

After taking most of the clamps off and coolant hoses whilst doing the chassis swap, I seem to be losing coolant.

Its weird, because the level drops from the level mark on the expansion tank about 1 inch, but doesnt seem to drop any further, it stayed spot on the level before taking things apart.

Any thoughts why this is occurring?

I have replaced the expansion tank cap and a few clamps with jubilee clips, and inspected hoses, but the level still wants to sit an inch below where it should, weird!!??
 
Expansion bottle re mounted a little higher maybe? Just a guess though.
Leak in the bottle? Around the seam?
 
Does it seem to be leaking from anywhere? Sometimes it's a bit hard to detect because it's warm and so is the engine, so tends to evaporate readily, but sometimes you can find deposits building up. Where the pipes join, the pipes themselves, maybe even core plugs on the engine?
 
Mine used to loose a little after I changed the rad, couldn't find where the leak was coming from initially other than you could smell the coolant, crawling about underneath I found a couple of pink drips on the steering damper on one side. Like was said above th coolant that was leaking out of one of the hose clamps I had fitted was evaporating , had to lay underneath after I got it up to temperature and switched it off, eventually I could see a wet stain appear on the bottom radiator hose where the jubilee clip just needed a bit more torque.

I would start looking at those items you have disturbed and refitted, with it up to temp then lay underneath with a nice bright LED torch and wait for the pressure to force out the leak when the engine is cooling down so you can detect whee it's coming from.
 
Cheers for the response's guys, sorry for some reason I didn't get any notifications that anyone had replied!

It may be a core plug, I haven't investigated that route yet.

Mr Nasty, thanks for the advice! I've done pretty much all of what you suggest, lying underneath with my head torch and running temp, to no avail!

The coolant has stayed at this new lower level now for the past two weeks, it wont drop below where it is now, but as soon as I put more in over a few runs the 'extra' disappear 's! I'm not to worried, but scary thoughts of he's gaskets etc had started to cross my mind!
 
Another thing I've noticed was that sometimes there seemed to be some overspill from the header tank. I was wondering about head gasket leakage, but it never seemed to get any worse. Eventually I changed the coolant cap and I don't see it any more. There's a little breather hole in the cap but this can breathe a little too freely sometimes and you lose fluid. It sloshes around as you drive and the pressure pushes it out of the hole.
 
Td5 needs regular coolant changes with OAT, otherwise the core plugs can corrode, especially the one at the back.
 
Brown said:
Another thing I've noticed was that sometimes there seemed to be some overspill from the header tank. I was wondering about head gasket leakage, but it never seemed to get any worse. Eventually I changed the coolant cap and I don't see it any more. There's a little breather hole in the cap but this can breathe a little too freely sometimes and you lose fluid. It sloshes around as you drive and the pressure pushes it out of the hole.
Click to expand...

The hole in the cap is to draw air in as the coolant and air in header tank cool and shrink. The cap should not release anything until the pressure in the system exceed 15 PSI. When the cap is removed cold, you can get an apparent rush of air. It is important to recognise whether it is a pressure release or a inrush of air. An inrush would mean the inlet vent is blocked in the cap.
 
wammers said:
The hole in the cap is to draw air in as the coolant and air in header tank cool and shrink. The cap should not release anything until the pressure in the system exceed 15 PSI. When the cap is removed cold, you can get an apparent rush of air. It is important to recognise whether it is a pressure release or a inrush of air. An inrush would mean the inlet vent is blocked in the cap.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think mine had got a bit too relaxed. Since changing the cap back in the summer (for an OEM, non-Britpart one) I've not seen any evidence of spillage. I'm not saying that's the right and proper thing for the cap to do, just that it might blow a bit out as the valve gets tired.
 
Brown said:
Yes, I think mine had got a bit too relaxed. Since changing the cap back in the summer (for an OEM, non-Britpart one) I've not seen any evidence of spillage.
Click to expand...

I have cap testing equipment pays to do it now and again. Many cars are still driving around with the same cap they left the factory with years ago. These things are worked and become unreliable, not many pay them any attention. Then wonder why they get problems.
 
wammers said:
I have cap testing equipment pays to do it now and again. Many cars are still driving around with the same cap they left the factory with years ago. These things are worked and become unreliable, not many pay them any attention to them. Then wonder why they get problems.
Click to expand...
Wow. Is there anything you don't have apiece of equipment for?
 
Brown said:
Another thing I've noticed was that sometimes there seemed to be some overspill from the header tank. I was wondering about head gasket leakage, but it never seemed to get any worse. Eventually I changed the coolant cap and I don't see it any more. There's a little breather hole in the cap but this can breathe a little too freely sometimes and you lose fluid. It sloshes around as you drive and the pressure pushes it out of the hole.
Click to expand...
I had the same problem plus a rubbish heater. I changed the cap and it's been good since. Occasionally I get a drop in level by about the same amount as the OP but it stays there
 
Ok guys, thankyou all very much.

I was going to buy a pressure testing kit from the local auto shop, but I wanted to test every available other route before spending more serious(ish) money.

I've found the same as gazman, it wont move from this new lower level, even pulling a digger up hills etc so not to concerned atm. Thanks once again for all the suggestion's, much appreciated :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Loss of coolant - 2008 Range Rover
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
lightning
lightning
G
TD5 Mysterious Coolant Leak?
Replies
3
Views
383
Shedload
S
enjoi
P38A Going through radiators- not overheating
2 3
Replies
53
Views
2K
Datatek
Datatek
S
Ran 300TDi low on coolant ~1300km
Replies
15
Views
1K
currymunster
currymunster
enjoi
P38A My good friend, coolant leak, is back!
Replies
7
Views
1K
Andy Burrell
Andy Burrell