Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
Gingermagic
Registered user
Posts: 80
Joined: 26 Jul 2020, 17:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Gingermagic »

The coolant has always been pink.

Does that mean that I do need to be putting G12+ in there?
1985 RHD T25 camper
1.6TD - JX (I think)

User avatar
937carrera
Registered user
Posts: 3599
Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
80-90 Mem No: 16333
Location: N Yorks.

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by 937carrera »

yes
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

User avatar
Gingermagic
Registered user
Posts: 80
Joined: 26 Jul 2020, 17:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Gingermagic »

TONYT25T25 wrote: 11 Oct 2020, 14:09 Sorry to see that problem still remains, I think you maybe correct that the system has not been bled properly, also if they only half filled or partially filled the tank, then the red light on your dash should have been flashing indicating this I presume this is the same for diesels.

They said half filled, to my wife on the phone, but it was higher than that. About a couple of inches from the brim.

At the start of all of this, I'd had the red light. So, I was carefully looking for that, and the temperature gauge, while we were driving.

The temperature spent most of the time around the middle mark. Mostly slightly below. Occasionally a bit above. Is that normal?
1985 RHD T25 camper
1.6TD - JX (I think)

User avatar
Gingermagic
Registered user
Posts: 80
Joined: 26 Jul 2020, 17:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Gingermagic »

937carrera wrote: 11 Oct 2020, 15:21 yes

Great, thanks.
1985 RHD T25 camper
1.6TD - JX (I think)

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1825
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Gingermagic wrote: 11 Oct 2020, 15:23
TONYT25T25 wrote: 11 Oct 2020, 14:09 Sorry to see that problem still remains, I think you maybe correct that the system has not been bled properly, also if they only half filled or partially filled the tank, then the red light on your dash should have been flashing indicating this I presume this is the same for diesels.

They said half filled, to my wife on the phone, but it was higher than that. About a couple of inches from the brim.

At the start of all of this, I'd had the red light. So, I was carefully looking for that, and the temperature gauge, while we were driving.

The temperature spent most of the time around the middle mark. Mostly slightly below. Occasionally a bit above. Is that normal?
I think most would agree that the temperature gauge position you mentioned is ok, my gauge normally sits just below the half mark when driving along and only goes halfway and slightly over when stuck in traffic on hot days.
 
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

clone123
Registered user
Posts: 492
Joined: 30 Oct 2015, 22:05
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Manchester

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by clone123 »

Mine stays just under half way travelling at 55 to 60mph if I go any faster the temperature starts to Rises so I back off the accelerator and all is cool again only because the people on here told me how to drive this Van's

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk


1985 RHD T25 hightop camper 1.9td 1Y engine
It's always easier with a friend

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7259
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

937carrera wrote: 11 Oct 2020, 15:21 yes

No! No need, it is a diesel as mentioned before.
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

User avatar
937carrera
Registered user
Posts: 3599
Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
80-90 Mem No: 16333
Location: N Yorks.

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by 937carrera »

He already has pink in

Add blue

You get chemical reaction and jelly..... at least that's my understanding
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7259
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Not all pink is G12! I used to use a pink liquid on my Ford engine as specified but it wasn't G12 - it was produced long before 1997 when the G12+ came on the market for VW engines. I will have a look to see if there is still an old container in the workshop.
Waste of money putting G12/13 etc in a diesel.
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

User avatar
937carrera
Registered user
Posts: 3599
Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
80-90 Mem No: 16333
Location: N Yorks.

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by 937carrera »

I wasn't providing advice about what coolant to use in a diesel, i was providing advice as to what coolant to use in his van, which has just had fresh pink coolant put in.
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

User avatar
ajsimmo
Trader
Posts: 2698
Joined: 23 Mar 2009, 14:06
80-90 Mem No: 6542
Location: Isle of Arran
Contact:

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by ajsimmo »

I wasn't suggesting topping up with blue if there's already pink in there. I was just saying diesels don't need the expensive pink stuff, it's a waste of money. If he's just had new coolant put in, ask garage what it was, and if they put in something other than VW recommended spec, maybe ask them why.
Also OP, you pulled over on the motorway because you were geysering coolant, took the expansion tank cap off and let lots more go, but didn't top it up again? And it was then ok for the rest of the journey?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

The Campershack - (website paused)
WBX Rebuilds & Upgrades from the beautiful Isle of Arran

User avatar
Gingermagic
Registered user
Posts: 80
Joined: 26 Jul 2020, 17:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Gingermagic »

Yes. Exactly right.

I was surprised. I had water, ready to top up, but the heat and levels remained fine.
1985 RHD T25 camper
1.6TD - JX (I think)

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1825
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Have you checked the levels since, as what was lost must have come from somewhere, so after cooling down completely you may find the levels have dropped significantly. Also at what point does the electric fan kick in, mine normally switches on when the temperature gauge wanders just past the midway position.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16957
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by Mocki »

I say again, go to a different mechanic , the current clearly hasn’t got a clue how it works !
it’s over pressuring from your description, either the head or head gasket is at fault unless you know different I would be budgeting for this
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

User avatar
ajsimmo
Trader
Posts: 2698
Joined: 23 Mar 2009, 14:06
80-90 Mem No: 6542
Location: Isle of Arran
Contact:

Re: Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

Post by ajsimmo »

Mocki wrote:I say again, go to a different mechanic , the current clearly hasn’t got a clue how it works !
it’s over pressuring from your description, either the head or head gasket is at fault unless you know different I would be budgeting for this
I said that. Wondering if they did any sniff/chemical tests? I suspect not. Just (nearly) fill it up and send it out by the look of it. This one may run and run (possibly until it doesn't Image).

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

The Campershack - (website paused)
WBX Rebuilds & Upgrades from the beautiful Isle of Arran

Post Reply