Disappearing coolant.

[Martyn Sweeney]

Noticed my fan was coming on nearly all the time the other day, then temp guage went up and down. Checked radiator when I got home . Put loads of pink coolant in. Can't see in expansion tank properly but don't think there's much in there. Was ok next day then did same again day after. Can't see any signs of leaking under vehicle. Live in Fleetwood area don't know who to take it to round here. Most garages not keen on imports.

[Geralt]

I think a private garage would have a go. It's a leak so requires no specialist diagnostic equipment.

 

I assume the oil is clean and no "mayonnaise" on the dipstick?

 

If you want to have a go yourself, try using this leak detection dye: https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RLD2

You will need a black light torch. At least you will know where the leak is which is half the battle.

 

 

 

 

[dezufo]

Check the main hose joints, plus there are 2 plastic Tee pieces that join the small coolant hoses to the heater matrix, they are situated on right hand side of the block under the air intake they can leak due to age, replace them with brass ones, make sure the expansion tank does not go lower then the low mark and not more than half full when cold, if you shine a torch against the side of the tank you will be able to see the levels, I also marked the level marks on the tank with a black marker pen. check there is no mayonnaise on the dip stick or oil filler cap

[Martyn Sweeney]

Cheers guys. Checked oil filler cap and dipstick. They are ok. Topped up coolant again tonight. Will check again tomorrow. Can't see anything on drive underneath. Tee pieces a possibility. Can only think the leak is happening when engine running and coolant is being pumped round the system. Will run it tomorrow and check again. Next step probably the leak detection dye. Thanks 

[starider]

Hi,

Check the tail pipe for signs of water when engine is hot. Also look around where the cylinder head meets the cylinder block for any water leaks. Another check is the transmission oil for contamination. We don't have access at present to any form of workshop manual! There could be core plugs on the rear of the engine block between the block and the transmission. Good luck with your investigations.

[Tens]

I had similar happen to me a couple of months back. The cause was a tiny pinprick on the radiator matrix. A drop of coolant appeared on the surface of it when the engine was hot and pressurised. That was enough to mean the coolant needed to be topped up every week. I don't like the stuff, but I used radiator weld and it's cured the problem (maybe temporarily?)

 

As an aside, I still haven't been able to get the front heater to produce heat; the rear one gushes it - so no real deal. There's a sticker on the radiator that says to open the bleeder on the side of the radiator but I can't find it. I've tried putting the vehicle on a steep hill and running the engine without the rad cap and expansion tank cap, but no joy....

[Martyn Sweeney]

Hi. I had problems with front heating. Turned out to be flap that opens the heater door. It's called an actuator. It's under dashboard. A pain to get to but I managed with some swearing and grazed knuckles. There's a thread on here. Might be worth a look.

[Tens]

Thanks Martyn.

I'll need to get some enthusiasm up for that. 

Cheers.

[Tens]

And, just like that, started the van yesterday and loads of hot air from the front vents. No idea why, after hours and hours of filling/running/driving trying to sort it. What I did notice was the coolant was down to minimum, so maybe the airlock in the heater matrix had randomly cleared and swallowed a load of coolant. Cold weather over the last couple of weeks shrunk the air bubble, maybe?