leaking coolant

[janieh]

Hi All

We have a 1988 1.6l turbo diesel, LHD, manual westfalia van. We've not had it long so only just starting to get up to speed on looking after it.

The red light on the fuel guage came on after a trip to Somerset, so after a bit we worked out that it was low on coolant. The coolant in the top up tank was down to the minimum, and the main pressurised coolant tank was short about a litre. (it was all correct before the journey started). The existing coolant looked green in the tank, and there is a drip from underneat the front of the van which looks like the coolant liquid.

I filled it up after buying bog standard blue antifreeze from the garage. Now after reading the wiki I'm a bit worried about whether or not I've added an antifreeze that shouldn't mix with the green stuff. Also, I want to get the leak fixed but have no idea how big a job it it likely to be. I was thinking of going to the local ATS garage but have just realised they don't look like they do that kind of work so now I'll need to find a garage I can trust!

Any advice on the size of the job and what I should be doing with the antifreeze would be greatfully received.
Cheers
Jane.

[CovKid]

Up front could be leaky rad, switch or hoses that connect to rad. You do need to sort that as you'll lose water under pressure. Not sure on mix - others can advise on that.

[skell]

have a look under the front:

take both radiator grilles off, see if you can see and wet patches on radiator
then remove spare wheel and get under van (the spare wheel carrier makes a nice back rest).
then we you under the van, back on spare wheel carrier, legs poking out the front of the van look at the underside of the van. you will be able to see two pipes that run from front to back of van (engine to radiator). The sections that join to the radiator are rubber hoses. Squeeze each of these in turns and look for drips/leaks from the pipes, joints or the radiator itself. If you suspect the upper hose on the radiator you may need to remove the bracket that holds that side of the radiator up to get a better view, but support that side of the radiator in case it drops (it will likely move a little then stay in place.)
to do all this you may also need to remove the bit of cardboard that runs across bottom of radiator, held in by two self tap screws. These screws may be very rusty if they are put screwdriver into them good and true then belt screwdriver with a lump hammer, then try twisting screwdriver.

hope this helps

[janieh]

Thanks for the tips. I'll have to get under the van when we've got a minute and see what we can see! I'll let you know how it goes, but it's not going to be for a few days I don't think.

cheers

[janieh]

Realised I never posted an update on this. We took the van to Volks Spares in Sydenham and they managed to sort it. It was where some of the pipework had worked loose and since they fixed it we've had no probs.