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        General >> Problems >> Coolant Loss
        
(Message started by: lesterlad aka Rodders on Feb 16^th, 2013, 6:54pm)

Title: Coolant Loss
Post by lesterlad aka Rodders on Feb 16^th, 2013, 6:54pm

My 2.3 seems to be losing a small amount of coolant, approx half litre to a litre a fortnight depending on mileage.

I can't see any coolant....
* under the bonnet (no wet engine)
*in the footwell(s).
*on the tarmac.
*on the under tray
*coming out of exhaust (steam).
Engine starts/ runs/ drives as normal every time.
Any ideas anyone ?

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by Tompion on Feb 16^th, 2013, 7:40pm

You can sometimes get leaks under pressure that don’t always leave a patch under the car.
Check under the stat housing in case that’s cracked, mine used to be sticky from antifreeze - the water having evaporated from the heat of the engine.
Check the hoses to/from the matrix, they have plastic joiners with 2 clips part the way along them that become brittle with age.
A failing pressure cap can release fluid, put the overflow pipe into a container & see if it collects any coolant.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by Matt on Feb 16^th, 2013, 8:00pm

pin hole in the radiator core?

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by Glyn on Feb 16^th, 2013, 11:31pm

Had a similar problem with my cossie. Eventually replaced the water pump with a new Ford one-no different with no signs of leakage until 13 months later (just out of guarentee!) when the pump failed with a massive leak from the bearing seal. New pump again and not had to top up since-was about a pint every week.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by a900one on Feb 17^th, 2013, 12:21pm

Check your gearbox oil, make sure thats not going up :'(. Just seen you have a manual, no need to check.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by amigafan2003 on Feb 17^th, 2013, 1:45pm

I'd been losing water steadily at about the same rate you have for 18months with no drips on the drive way. Then on the way to work one morning last month the radiator failed spectacularly - replaced rad and no more water loss.

Sometimes the rads only leak when under pressure and hence coolant is hot - it evaporates straight away.

Find a garage that can pressure test the rad whilst it's on the car.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by Snoopy on Feb 17^th, 2013, 3:22pm

I had this scenario and found out it was a ballooning radiator which leaked when hot and under pressure NO visible signs until I took it out.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by ottopmh on Feb 17^th, 2013, 8:32pm

Here's one more guess - the plug at the rear of cylinder head. It can be see with help of a small mirror from underneath the car, I can't remember exactly from which side etc, but there it is above flywheel and clutch (or torque converter) housing. Gap between firewall and engine is not that wide.

Coolant drips into top of gearbox and may find its way to ground somewhere between front seats - not under the engine from where you'd normally search.

Apparently in a Galaxy a coolant hose exits head from there but as there's no room for that when engine is installed lengthways there's just a plug with a O-ring.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by lesterlad aka Rodders on Feb 17^th, 2013, 8:59pm

Not sure but I think I may have found the leak.
Directly behind the thermostat housing there seems to be some reddish/pinkish scaly deposit, seeing as the coolant/antifreeze is red I am assuming this could be the culprit, yet the area is completely bone dry even starting from cold and letting it get up to temperature before going on a run and after.
I don't really want to go round poking and prodding at it as to make matters worse.
I think Ill have to keep my eyes peeled for a 2.3 inlet manifold when funds permit.

Edit:
Does anyone know if that solution that contains some kind of metallic filings is any good as a temporary measure in this situation ?

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by ottopmh on Feb 18^th, 2013, 7:02am

That I think is the most typical reason, a crack in the manifold.

My car has it too, actually it has had it for three years now. I have a spare manifold waiting for the day when old one starts to leak too much;)

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by gozz on Feb 18^th, 2013, 9:13am

Rodders,the metal filings stuff used to be called CE-LIT,it came in a small packet and has been around for a long time.Years ago I had an Austin 7 which sprang a leak in the front of the rad,the coolant was actually squirting out in a small jet,I put a packet of CE-LIT in,and watched as the leak slowed down and eventually stopped,absolutely amazing result.Give it a go you never know,it might cure it permanently 8)

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by lesterlad aka Rodders on Feb 18^th, 2013, 4:11pm

Added a sachet of CE-LIT as suggested, just a case of waiting fingers crossed for a few days now to see if there's any result.

Title: Re: Coolant Loss
Post by Jonnycab on Feb 21^st, 2013, 3:50am

If the leak is in the thermostat housing part of the manifold, then the CE-LIT (I'm assuming it is like K-seal) metal filings won't seal the leak as the manifold is plastic. Metal filings in coolant stop leak products are only attracted to the metallic parts of the cooling system....good luck anyway :)

P.S...the antifreeze should be blue or green. Red (long life) antifreeze is not recommended for the Scorpio :)