Lost 400ml of coolant in 8 months

[Notabongo]

Mostly short 3 mile journeys, lost 400ml of coolant in 8 months, never gone below the minimum any ideas,? 

Edited March 19, 2023 by Notabongo
Wrong amount

[Liam]

Have you been topping up to the max when the cars cold?

[Notabongo]

Topped up to in between min and max when cold the couple of times I've topped up.... I only do short mileage 2.5 mile commute every weekday.... Is 400ml over 8 months acceptable coolant loss with those short drives? 

[Liam]

Shouldn't be using any but I've noticed if I fill mine when cold it always seems to lose some till it finds its level just above the min mark. It never goes below min so I think it's pushing the extra out the over flow when hot. I've left mine months now and it's still at the same level.

[Notabongo]

I fill it cold to midway, never seen excess coming out of an overflow.... When it's hot the level is still about 35mm below the max level anyway.... I must check where the overflow is 

[AdamjG]

I had a slight coolant leak from the engine water pump. Similar levels lost, might be worth checking the pump.

[Notabongo]

Thanks Adam 

[Geralt]

Ditto. It shouldn't be losing any coolant.

 

Assuming you don't have a head gasket leak (mayo on dipstick), I've found a leak detection dye useful in the past:

 

https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RLD2

 

You can get a kit with a UV torch too.

[Notabongo]

Thinking of throwing little bottle of K seal in,