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dantheman201

New Member

• Jun 7, 2015

• #1

Hi Guys,
Went to see a '99 P38a, the coolant res was 25% full, so half from min.

I checked the coolant res, no sign of oil, opened the oil cap and checked dip stick, no white residue. Checked footwell, not wet.

My questions is, what could be a reason for low coolant capacity, what should i check?

Thanks,

Dan

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

• Jun 7, 2015

• #2

Possibly been topped up with the engine hot. May have a slight leak, get someone to throw a static tester on it and check for pressure drop.

 

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dantheman201

New Member

• Jun 7, 2015

• #3

thanks - how can you do this test? Get an independent there to check it? Or is there some instrument a garage will show this? Or can i do it?

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

• Jun 7, 2015

• #4

dantheman201 said:

thanks - how can you do this test? Get an independent there to check it? Or is there some instrument a garage will show this? Or can i do it?

Click to expand...

You can if you have a static test kit. Garages should have them.

 

biketeacherdave

Well-Known Member

• Jun 7, 2015

• #5

Head gasket possibly pull the plugs see if any are steam cleaned

 

dogsbody

Very senior member

• Jun 8, 2015

• #6

dantheman201 said:

thanks - how can you do this test? Get an independent there to check it? Or is there some instrument a garage will show this? Or can i do it?

Click to expand...

A static pressure tester is simply a replacement cap with a pump. You pump up some air pressure into the system and see if it holds. If the pressure drops it's escaping somewhere. Then all you've got to do is find the leak. If there's no obvious leak then you suspect that it's inside the engine and take the appropriate steps. Large, fast ones in an away direction. :

Always remember that a static test on a cold engine may not show a crack that only opens under heat and pressure.

 

Datatek

Well-Known Member

• Jun 8, 2015

• #7

If it's a V8, HGF or liners, if it's a diesel, HGF or cracked head, assuming that the expansion tank is not split, the pressure cap is OK and there are no leaks.

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

• Jun 8, 2015

• #8

dogsbody said:

A static pressure tester is simply a replacement cap with a pump. You pump up some air pressure into the system and see if it holds. If the pressure drops it's escaping somewhere. Then all you've got to do is find the leak. If there's no obvious leak then you suspect that it's inside the engine and take the appropriate steps. Large, fast ones in an away direction. :

Always remember that a static test on a cold engine may not show a crack that only opens under heat and pressure.

Click to expand...

That is why you continue the test by starting the engine and observing pressure build. In general a good engine at normal temp at idle should run at between 5 and 7 PSI.

 

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dantheman201

New Member

• Jun 8, 2015

• #9

Thanks guys, been overwhelmed by the responses, thank you so much!

 

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dantheman201

New Member

• Jun 8, 2015

• #10

Guys, i saw you can test the head gasket using a combustion gas leak detector kit, by sucking in coolant gases into it.

Would this also show up issues if there was a liner issue too?

Sorry oif obvious question!

 

biketeacherdave

Well-Known Member

• Jun 8, 2015

• #11

dantheman201 said:

Guys, i saw you can test the head gasket using a combustion gas leak detector kit, by sucking in coolant gases into it.

Would this also show up issues if there was a liner issue too?

Sorry oif obvious question!

Click to expand...

Didn't show mine pull the plugs n see if any are steam cleaned or do a compression test