Where did my coolant go?

[cosmicsheep]

Ok, i know i have another topic running about my coolant LED, which i have traced to there being no coolant left in the system, but where the hell did it all go?
I'm certain there was some in there before we set off to Llangolen on New Years eve, and i'm fairly certain there's been none leaking onto the driveway, and i'm somewhat certain we wouldn't have made the 250mile round trip without any.
So if i'm only loosing coolant when the system is warm is it a pressure problem or do i have head gasket issues?
What can i do to check?

Cosmicsheep

[Mickyfin]

What engine do you have?

On the 1.9DG, one of the common problematic water pipes is the metal one to the left of the engine as you look at it. This metal pipe runs from the Waterpump, to the Thermostat. In most casts, this metal pipe corrodes to a point that pinholes appear, and when the cooling system is pressurised, water sprays out of the pin holes in a fine way. In my case this was only evident whilst stationary, and the puddle appeared not under the van, but a good few feet away from the van in the direction of the fine spray of coolant.

In other cases, water leaks onto the exhaust, which in turn evaporates the coolant leaving no trace of the leak.

My advice would be to fill your cooling system, get the engine up to temperature so your radiator fan cuts in, then whilst engine ticking over, inspect all of the pipes closely.

[cosmicsheep]

Good guess... it is the 1.9 DG (really aught to add a sig) and very helpful advice. Thanks very muchly

Steph aka Cosmicsheep

[Ralf85]

What engine do you have?

My advice would be to fill your cooling system, get the engine up to temperature so your radiator fan cuts in, then whilst engine ticking over, inspect all of the pipes closely.

Then after it has been properly warmed up, if no leak appears switch your engine off, because you can get a slight leak that occurs afterwards as the system is still pressurised. This leak can have cleared up by the time you go back to start up the next day. I get a mild version of this. No leakage when driving along but a tiny short lived leak only after stopping. Worth checking.

Patrick

[AdrianC]

Then after it has been properly warmed up, if no leak appears switch your engine off, because you can get a slight leak that occurs afterwards as the system is still pressurised. This leak can have cleared up by the time you go back to start up the next day. I get a mild version of this. No leakage when driving along but a tiny short lived leak only after stopping. Worth checking.

^ this.

We've got one of those, up by the back of the spare wheel carrier, where the front-to-rear pipes connect to the rubber pipe to the rad. Just a few drips after the engine's switched off, but enough to empty the header tank every thousand miles or so. I really ought to have a good look and replace the iffy bits, but whilst we're on the road I don't want to furtle about without having whatever parts are needed to hand, since it'll take too long to get anything else shipped to us if stuff won't go back together again.

[edoh]

would this be the pipe you are referring to?
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=118" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

as above - i have a dribble when stationary leak -
busy collecting all the bits n pieces for a old to new hoses swap -

[cosmicsheep]

Ok, quick update. I've just been out and topped up my system with plain water in the hope of finding a leak before i waste my new G12+
No visible signs of leaks at the moment but i am abit concerned about my header tank cap.

It's little spout? was full of crap and it doesn't quack (as per Baxter's instructions)
Is it knacked?

[andisnewsyncro]

Get a new one, it's the cheapest bit of the system and if it doesn't quack, then "Yes, it's knackered" Buy a proper one from Baxter rather than off ebay

[cosmicsheep]

This just arrived on my desk



Hopefully my coolant leak problems are soon to be behind me