Disappearing Coolant
Disappearing Coolant
Every time I open my bonnet, my expansion tank is bone dry - whether the engine is hot or cold. I've bought a new radiator cap, there are no breaks in any of the hoses but the back of my radiator is stained with the coolant. The car had a new rad in '98 and the radiator still holds it's level of coolant. What's happening? Is Paul Daniels at work in my coolant system?
rad
If the back of the rad is stained with coolant it must be leaking, but if it appears to hold it's coolant level it may be just a tiny pin hole leak that is replenished by the coolant in the header tank during driving.
Just because your radiator is only 2 years old doesn't mean it's perfect. Get it tested - most radiator shops will test for free, and if there is a tiny hole it can probably be soldered up for beer money.
Just because your radiator is only 2 years old doesn't mean it's perfect. Get it tested - most radiator shops will test for free, and if there is a tiny hole it can probably be soldered up for beer money.
leaking coolant
Im very dubious about the type of sealant that has been suggested to you, I personaly wouldnt use it in my car but thats my own oppion and prefferance
I've used that
I used that, although my hole was bigger and I ended up getting a new rad but I never had a problem with it. Most things like that have to pass very stringent tests before they are on sale in this country so I wouldn't worry too much. You can always use an egg as that works well too!!!
Expansion tank is leaking
I reckon you expansion tank is leaking. As the engine heats up the water goes along (inside)your overflow pipe to the expansion tank. The expansion tank lid (plastic flip top jobby) can't hold the pressure in and the water that is very hot is evaporating through either a small hole in the tank or through the top itself. Then some of the steam (now cooling) becomes water again and naturally drips off the bonnet and the overflow pipe (outside)back to the rad, to the cap and down the back of the rad.
I know this sounds far fetched but it happened to my mates 2.0 and it took ages to figure it out. The reason it was running down the back of the rad was cause the momentum of going forwards made the water run back. Try running your engine till hot and pop the bonnet, if this is happening there should be steam comming from the expansion tank. If not get your rad checked (most garages charge but rad specialists are normally free)and welded which again is very cheap. I know an auto parts store where he has literally dozens of brand new old stock ford rads which is where I got mine for just £25! (ford quoted £130)
Good luck
I know this sounds far fetched but it happened to my mates 2.0 and it took ages to figure it out. The reason it was running down the back of the rad was cause the momentum of going forwards made the water run back. Try running your engine till hot and pop the bonnet, if this is happening there should be steam comming from the expansion tank. If not get your rad checked (most garages charge but rad specialists are normally free)and welded which again is very cheap. I know an auto parts store where he has literally dozens of brand new old stock ford rads which is where I got mine for just £25! (ford quoted £130)
Good luck
rad
I too have used that sort of stuff in the past and had no problems at all. I can't remember the name of the one i used but it was in a white plastic cylindrical tube-type-thingy with red writing on it. The stuff itself was like a long round OXO cube (which obsolutely stunk !!!!!!)that you just crumbled into the rad - all was fine.
Hope this mini essay helps
Craig.
Hope this mini essay helps
Craig.
what about Radweld ?
Is that any good? And where can I find these places that check my rad for leaks, as Noel suggests?
OK.....so what do i do about the leaking expansion tank?
I do have the flip-top jobby on my ex-tank (even though it has a picture of windscreen wash on the top itself!). Do I need to buy a new top, like the radiator cap-type?
leaking radiator
talk abbout far fetched, your right. its most likely that the radiator core is leaking. You have two options to change the rad or try rad weld..If the expansion tank is always empty as you have already said then buy a new one from amotor factor..
yellow pages
In Essex I have the luxury of using Essex Radiators in Gt. Baddow who are both competant and extremely helpful.
For local radiator factors around you I'd try Yellow pages.
Radweld will do the job.
For local radiator factors around you I'd try Yellow pages.
Radweld will do the job.
I got a new rad
I went to a rad specialsit, like someone said and it fell apart in his hands, then I had a mass panic about getting a new rad for today and eventaully got one for £33 (new/orig) from lancashire Motor radiators in Liverpool. They even fitted it for £15 and it took them about 4 minutes.
I keep opening my bonnet and admiring the coolant in my bottle. Well, it's never been there for more than 2 hours before!
Cheers, all!
I keep opening my bonnet and admiring the coolant in my bottle. Well, it's never been there for more than 2 hours before!
Cheers, all!
Get a new one
if it is it then get one from a scrappy for a fiver. No point in replacing the top. Also probably get a brand new one from Ford for not much more.
I'm telling you its true!
Thats what it was and all this was found out at the expens of a new rad caus it still happened. Best to check the stupid stuff first before spending any money.
Chingford - East London
Auto Spares of Chingford in East London. Don't know number but you can get it from www.yell.com