Low coolant in top up tank

[nesty]

I have a question about the water cooling system. I have a water-cooled 1.9 1984 Holdsworth.

Today my flashing red light on the temp gauge came on (low coolant). I got home and the top-up coolant tank behind the flap was very low & so was the expansion tank (one with dalek cap).

I filled up the top up tank to the brim went for a drive about 10 miles and temp needle perfect in the middle no overheating etc. After 10 miles I checked and the expansion tank (dalek cap) almost full, but the top up was down again. I topped that up again. If the expansion tank was low would it of naturally sucked the water from the one behind the flap?

I am going take it out for a good drive on Thursday. Though if I am losing water in the top up tank again. Is this signs of a head gasket failure? I can’t see any leaks at the moment.

[andisnewsyncro]

This page will explain an awful lot

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/bleed ... 29710.html

Good luck in sorting it & I hope it's nothing major

[nesty]

Cheers many thanks.

[kevtherev]

why does everyone fear the worst

it might just be a leak... WBX engines are useless at keeping water in side them..
check all the hoses and connections first.
I had a leak that dripped on to the exhaust.. it took months to find it.

[nesty]

Ok thanks. I'll do a more better check later on.

The temp perfectly stable I would of thought if a head gasket was going then be well over heating?

[Ian Hulley]

I had a leak that dripped on to the exhaust.. it took months to find it.

Ditto.

How much is it actually using/losing ? Time to bleed it properly and if it's still using/losing park it up over a dry, clean floor or over a clean piece of cardboard.

Ian

[tonytech]

About 2 weeks ago I got the flashing light, low level in the Dalek cap bottle and the number plate tank.
Imediate thought was water pump.
I filled everything up and no problems since ( 150 miles today @ 70mph)
I suspect my dalek cap may have worked a little loose and vented steam.
When tight on the tank the spout has to point to 5 O'clock ( 12 O'clock is dead ahead)

T

[nesty]

I've filled everything up and I'll keep a eye on things. I think it's due a bleed of the system. I did have a full service on it in 2009 at a VW speicalist place and they should of done that then (probably didn't)!

[Ian Hulley]

That's 18 months ago Re-do it properly and see what happens

[Red Westie]

FAO....expansion tank should be filled to the top and the top up tank to the max level just below the filler cam (about 25% full)
Those Darlek type caps can be a pain and worth changing in the first instance.
Yes they work as a blow off! as in once a certain coolant pressure is reached they open to allow excess pressure/coolant, to drain in to the top up tank AND in the reverse..as the system cools down a valve in the cap allows coolant to be drawn back into the main expansion tank to keep it full.

Martin