F

frostydub

New Member
I'm losing coolant :doh:
I checked it about 3 days ago and the expansion tank was empty, so filled it up. Checked yesterday and it was empty again. Only took about half a pint to fill it both times. The temp gauge is where it should be, the engine sounds and looks fine. I cant see any leaks, but will have a better look later today. Any ideas or suggestions on what I should have a look for?
Oh, I was also going to give it an oil change. Does anyone know how many litres of oil the engine takes to fill it up again?
 
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sounds like the start of headgasket or slipped liner im afraid to say but dont ignore early diagnosis could save you hundreds in long run.
 
Its the 4.0 (with lpg - dunno if that makes a difference)
Can I not do a check myself? Remove the head, etc?
i also get a bit of pressure (air being released) when i undo the cap even when cold. is that normal?
 
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Hi all.
I have been through very similar with mine and i took some early good advice which was not to spend or waste too much money on parts but just to get the engine out and have a good look as if it is the dreaded liner situation you need it out any way to replace or repair. I was very lucky and had the money for a turnkey engine from RPi and a friend with a ramp who let me use it for about £100 so i didn't spend a great deal of time trying to fix the wrong things.....cylinder heads, thermostats etc, just dropped the engine, fiitted the lpg system and away we went. If you intend to keep the car its the best way foward.
I hope it isn't the block/liners fault but it allways seems to start with mysterious coolant loss.

Cheers, Nick.
 
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is the top rad hose hard to compress first thing on a morning without the engine running,if it is it,s either headgasket going or gone or the dreaded liner problem
 
andy 0352 said:
is the top rad hose hard to compress first thing on a morning without the engine running,if it is it,s either headgasket going or gone or the dreaded liner problem
Click to expand...

I'll have a go tomorrow morning i guess. Is there anyway to check simply if its either HGF or block/liners? I can do head gasket myself, but i really dont have the space (or money for that matter) to replace the engine. I knew I'd have problesm eventually, but I've only had the bastard for a week! Quite tempted to just stick it up for sale.
 
where abouts are you,if your near me i have a sniff test kit,if not i would see if you can find a friendly garage they might do it cheap,if they think they might get some work from you.
 
andy 0352 said:
where abouts are you,if your near me i have a sniff test kit,if not i would see if you can find a friendly garage they might do it cheap,if they think they might get some work from you.
Click to expand...

Cheers for the offer, mate! I'm a bit far away. I'll ring round a few garages and see what they say. I'll post the news when I find out.
 
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Hi.

When my 4.0 p38 finally went it stank of exhaust/petrol in the expansion tank, but before that no smell, no real clue as to where it was leaking and survived two pressure tests. It ticked over quite happily but under load/driving conditions wouldn't do 200yds before it boiled.
My ex step daughter has just sold hers with the same fault but for very little money as i could not persuade her to get it fixed.

Cheers, Nick.
 
njh2 said:
Hi.

When my 4.0 p38 finally went it stank of exhaust/petrol in the expansion tank, but before that no smell, no real clue as to where it was leaking and survived two pressure tests. It ticked over quite happily but under load/driving conditions wouldn't do 200yds before it boiled.
My ex step daughter has just sold hers with the same fault but for very little money as i could not persuade her to get it fixed.

Cheers, Nick.
Click to expand...

What was the problem with yours in the end? Head gasket or liners?
I've driven 800 miles in the last week and the temp gauge has been perfect. I'm hoping its just the start of HGF, which is something I can do myself quite cheaply.
*sigh*
 
Hi.

It was unfortunately the liners.
But at the time i didn't want to get another car at all as it had everything i wanted so i could warrant spending the money.......but lifes not quite fair and i lost the car when we split up. Unfortunatly you not close to me so i can't help either.
Is the good garages page still on this site?

Cheers, Nick.
 
Hi.

I got a price for it from an engine company in the Midlands (where i used to live) and i think it was about £1500, it was about 18mths - 2 years ago. That was with the engine delivered to them. That was for top hat liners and re-engineered heads and pressure test of the heads. If you want i can check with them again and see what they say. It may have been a bit less, but they well known locally and a friend i used to have who had a hgv workshop used them all the time. I do go up at least once a week to the Midlands still.

Let me know what you think.
 
im sure some people on here have had there own block TH lined from around £600 upwards,but im sure anyone who has had theres done will be along,to advise there own opinions of which way to go or where to go,but i would carry out all other options and checks before worrying about the block,maybe a new crossbolt block maybe a cheaper option aswell just a thought,seen a brand new one go on fleabay the other week for £450 with crank and pistons
 
another thought is to remove the plugs and see if one plug looks like it has been steam cleaned that would give an indication
 
When i strpped mine down i found that, as well as a very clean piston top !

My friend bought the the engine and put a new block to itand put it in his 90.
 
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