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        General >> Problems >> Loosing radiator coolant
        
(Message started by: Wayne24v on Oct 10^th, 2004, 3:16pm)

Title: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Wayne24v on Oct 10^th, 2004, 3:16pm

Over the last few weeks I've noticed that I've started to lose engine coolant. It doesn't seem to go that fast, but I have had to top it up every couple of weeks.

I haven't noticed any water puddles underneath the car, and the coolant doesn't seem to smell of engine oil (Panic panic!).

On any other car I'm sure it would be a broken jubille clip or a persished hose somewhere. But I have the horrible feeling that it might be a bit.. well er.. £££. :-/

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Wayne

P.S Sorry to forgot to add. I've tried bunging a bottle of Radweld in but to no avail.

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Eddie on Oct 10^th, 2004, 4:55pm

Oh no! Not the dreaded radweld!

Could cause more probs than it cures.

Have you got a curry smell in the car when the heater is on,if so then heater matrix is u/s.

Other place on the 24v is in between the 'V' of the engine.

Fingers crossed!

eddie

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by craig on Oct 10^th, 2004, 5:08pm

wayne

when you say you are losing coolant,but not noticing any puddles anywhere,does the level actually drop below the minimum ?..
the reason i ask is that if i top mine up to the maximum,within a couple of days,it has dropped to between the min and max,i have been told that this is perfectly normal,as the car will find it's own level,hence i leave it at that level,dont know if this helps...but.. ???

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by daven on Oct 10^th, 2004, 5:15pm

I have been topping mine up for over a year now - at first I was worried that it was the head gasket, but then I noticed a dried up 'stream' running from the thermostat housing.

So I assume that under pressure it gives a little but the water evaps off leaving the antifreeze codensate!

I keep meaning to try and replace it but not got round to it yet! :-/

Anyway - may be worth a look to see if you have a similar problem!

Cheers

Dave

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Wayne24v on Oct 10^th, 2004, 5:30pm

Thanks for the replies.

When I say it's losing coolant, I mean the low coolant light actually comes on. It sometimes goes out once the engine is warm (water pressure - expansion etc), but eventually it goes so low that even when warm the light stays on.

Upon looking at the reservoir it is usually about 1cm below the min mark, nothing drastic. (It lasts for a couple of weeks once topped up). But obviously if I were not to top it up I think I would be walking to work eventually.

With the weather getting colder I have to also be careful not to dilute the coolant too much, and so i think in the long run the bills are going to mount up.

Cheers,
Wayne

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Baz on Oct 10^th, 2004, 5:34pm

Wayne.

Check the bottom of the radiator for bulging. You should be able to see it if you lie down in front of the car, make sure the wife doesn't have the keys, especially if you are well insured!! and you can see the rad bottom. If it is not level, then the rad has gone. You can see or feel a very small amount of water at the bottom corners after a run. Mine went and it was almost impossible to find out why I was always putting a litre or so in evry couple of weeks. I found out after reading someones post on the mailing list.

It is a commonish fault on the 24v. My new one with only 58k on the clock has gone and is being changed along with the thermostat in the next few weeks.

Baz

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Wayne24v on Oct 10^th, 2004, 6:35pm

Cheers, I don't suppose you know the price of a new fitted radiator do you? I'm having the car serviced in afew weeks so I may combine the two.

Mind you if it is expensive, the wife has life insurance...... ;)

Cheers,
Wayne

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Baz on Oct 10^th, 2004, 11:09pm

I don't know the price I'm afraid. I have a couple of spares in my garage but I would advise as per Erics advice that you change the thermostat as well. This could be the cause of at least part of the problem

baz

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Wayne24v on Nov 3^rd, 2004, 6:32am

Well, just had the car serviced at Ford. The guy their reckoned it was one of 3 things. (Their pressure tester wasn't working by the way).

1. Radiator (there is damage on it).

2. Water pump.

3. Possibly an airlock.

He couldn't distinguish between the first 2 without costing me 3 hours labour. It could possible be an airlock as occasionally the water goes below the min mark (thus tripping the low coolant warning light), but after cooling down enough to remove the coolant tank cap, the level shoots back up to normal once the cap is removed. ???

Any ideas guys and gals? Can I go any further myself? I won't repeat what I got quoted for the repair as I feel YABB may sensor it!!!! :-X

Cheers,
Wayne

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by john.n on Nov 3^rd, 2004, 7:09am

In my experiance you should get the hose connection between the heads checked. You can have a small leak there that you will not be able to see. If not attended to it can cause wiring corrosion. Check on the site- this has been posted before. john.n :)

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by john.n on Nov 3^rd, 2004, 7:15am

After re-reading this it seems that an airlock is the most likely cause. To my way of thinking the garage have only done half a job and should have suggested you come back when their pressure testing equipment was working!. Let us know if you find the cause. regards, john.n :)

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Wayne24v on Nov 3^rd, 2004, 4:29pm

John,

Forgot to mention, Ford DID say to come back when the pressure tester was working (in a couple of weeks).

I just wanted an unbiased opinion before I sign away a few hundred quid just before Christmas :'(

Cheers,
Wayne

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by john.n on Nov 5^th, 2004, 8:07am

When you go back to Fords Wayne i would insist they do the pressure test free of charge. After all they are a main dealer and its not your fault that their equipment wasnt working. john.n ;)

Title: Re: Loosing radiator coolant
Post by Wayne24v on Nov 5^th, 2004, 11:04am

Good point. I just hope it's not bad news..... :-/

Cheers,
Wayne