Club 80-90 Forums

Bled the cooling system again did 4x 20 mile trips over two days and the cooling system has loads of air in it again.
1. Pipes seem ok
2. coolant very clear
3. van runs fine no overheating
4. not loosing any coolant only gaining air
5. no water coming out of exhaust
6. can see air bubbles returning to res inside engine bay
7. no leaks
8. getting pissed off
Im prepared to put a new Vege in and change all the coolant pipes and rad
is there anything else i should look at before i decide to get a new lump?

Have you access to one of these sniffer things to see if the bubles are from the engine or if they are just fresh air?

I'm not being awkward, its just that when you say ->

4. not loosing any coolant only gaining air

Well that can't be right as the water has had to go somewhere to make room for the air.

If it ain't leaking out, then it must be leaking inside the motor.

Most garages have a combustion gas sniffer, that can detect a blown head gasket type scenario, as Horza says.

Good luck

The water just displaces to the top up tank when i let the air out it gets pulled back to the res tank...In the last 6 months of me bleeding on a regular basis i have not put anymore coolant in????
Than sniffer thing is my next avenue or that dye stuff i have been told today that the dye is 60 quid for the kit? anyone know?

Assuming that you have not got exhaust ingress into system & are keeping refill tank to Expansion tank @ 1/2 full & that bleeder V/v is OK (fully shut & not passing).

Sounds to me that you have got a very small leak on the suction side of the water pump. Check the pipework between thermostat & pump & expansion tank & pump.(& the pump itself). A small (pinhole size) leak in this area is enough to draw air into the system but may not show up easily as a water leak.

Regards

Think the first thing to do is get that sniff test done

search for block tester on Ebay about £30

Will do this conversation can be bantered about at bus types im sure there will be loads of advise

if i get there.......

Hacksawbob wrote:search for block tester on Ebay about £30

Just done it m8 £30 ish.
At least i will know if its the head or not.
Anyone know who will supply and fit a new Vege engine must be top notch, i want some one to moan at if theres any problems.
Or do i get someone to recon the one i have?

Sounds to me that you have got a very small leak on the suction side of the water pump. Check the pipework between thermostat & pump & expansion tank & pump.(& the pump itself). A small (pinhole size) leak in this area is enough to draw air into the system but may not show up easily as a water leak.

the bottom bolt on my water pump was snapped kept bleeding week later more air when if finally leaked water found problem took 12 mths to find it
check air the clips are tight could be sucking in air

good luck

Keep it coming boys/girls this is just what i need