Hi there, i have a problem.. and it is ticking me off.
My cooling system has been leaking coolant for quite some time now. This leaking has lead me to do the following to fix all visable leaks.
- re-thread bleed bolt on plenum
- replace thermostate gasket
- new water pump
- new top radiator hose
- new top radiator hose clamps.
Those things listed have been done in order, it is as if one has lead to the other. Now there are no visable leaks... (that is can't see any leakage onto the ground, or onto any engine complanents whith engine running, or when it is cooling down) but the car is still drinking coolant. Natrad did a pressure test and came up with nothing. The head gasket is fine (car performs the same, now milky oil, no bubble in radiator, no white smoke)
Anyone got any ideas? I looked in the Gregory's manual, and had an idea that a/the welch plug(s) could be worn out... is this a plausable reason?
Help, Kane
(NA Calais, no mods - except rear end damage that is getting fixed in two weeks)
is it leaking out of the overflow bottle (i mean do u need to refill it every day or two) as some old coolants/inhibitors act like an acid and overtime can basically eat the plactic bottle around the bottom.
give it a look.
welch plugs - can happen , simply have a look at them , if there seems to be some water staining running down the side of the block then that could be ur prob.
lol yeah I was thinking the same thing allthegoodnamesaretaken
I had mine using heaps of coolant.............. 1 new radiator after, and it's not even using a drop now
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
yeah check the resivour like OVLO87 said. just take it off and check underneath it.(its only held on by like 2 screws). mine leaks from there, i have to top it up once a week.
if you got stuck in the desert though and were dying of lack of liquid... could you drink it ? 8O :?:
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
You could drink it but you'd be better to die of lack of liquid... that stuff is not good and i think if you read the info on the back it will say DO NOT DRINK
surely the " $2 " would be ok to drink, as its probally not even coolant, its just water with green crap to make it look like coolant
err, off the topic but hey ...
gt
OK, then will check the reserve out tomorrow... yes i am filling it up atleast once a month. (using AutoOne antifreeze antiboil).
I figured some ppl would think that is what i meant, that way could get more ppl to help me out. But thanks for the advice.
Dude check your Heater hoses if they are leaking if you havent done so already they are a pain to get to under Plenum ECCS but it could be there...
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
I have heard nasty stories about people stuck in the desert drinking radiator coolant.
I think if you are that close to doing a perish you can do 1 of 2 things..
1. Refrain from drinking coolant and wait in the punishing sun for a rescue before you die
2. Drink coolant and hope for quick death
-Hatter
Tested and looked at the reserve tank, all good there. Heater hoses are fine (thank goodness) reserve hoses and cap are also fine. Had a look at the welch plugs that can be seen from crawling under the car when securely jacked up.. and no buggered ones.
will just have to keep an eye out i guess... retrace the cooling system and hope to find something. thanks for help, any more ideas would be great.
Kane
Quote:
surely the " $2 " would be ok to drink, as its probally not even coolant, its just water with green crap to make it look like coolant
Im gunna go taste a bit and see if there are any ill effects.
Updates later.
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
hmm maybe do a compression check and see if the head is crackd - mine would slowly use coolant (1/2 an overflow bottle in about a month) when the head was cracked. however it used to not start properly in the cold too.
The car was fine for a compression test. Guess i will just have to keep topping up the coolant so it doesn't blow up.
Flushing the cooling system wouldn't make much effect on this prob, really would it, only be a good clean out for the engine.?
Kane
i had a problem like that buy it was my gas converter that was leaking, and the water was being sent it into the intake.
half a bottle a month is a very small leak, i would put a radiator rlush thourgh it (one of those sand type ones) these can sometime unblock the small hole and make it show more, then u can find it and fix it
u can presurise the cooling system your self buy connect a bike pump onto the radiator via the overflow hose. this is a cheap way of finding presure leaks, as some small leakes can dry buy the time they drip to the ground
