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Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011, 09:55
by themattsteele
Hi everyone, I've got a 1990 1.9 Petrol Holdsworth.

It runs fine - no overheating - but I find myself filling up the expansion tank (behind number plate) after every drive. The "big" tank in the engine bay doesn't lose any level, and I can't see any visible leaks underneath.

Is this bad? Should I be worried?

Any advice welcome on things to check out first, if anyone says suspect head gasket I'll

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011, 10:21
by andisnewsyncro
Hi & welcome
Have a read of the wiki - top of eery page on here, and this brickyard page for lots of cooling system info. You might have a bit of an airlock or it might well be nothing if you're checking the level in the tank when warm

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011, 19:08
by themattsteele
Cool thanks for those links - I'll give the Baxter bleeding method a go. Learned loads from that Wiki already, cheers!

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011, 19:58
by jswagger
themattsteele wrote:Hi everyone, I've got a 1990 1.9 Petrol Holdsworth.

It runs fine - no overheating - but I find myself filling up the expansion tank (behind number plate) after every drive. The "big" tank in the engine bay doesn't lose any level, and I can't see any visible leaks underneath.

Is this bad? Should I be worried?

Any advice welcome on things to check out first, if anyone says suspect head gasket I'll



I'd be interested if you find out the cause as mine has been doing this for years!

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011, 21:40
by kevtherev
some leaks evaporate if they are dripping on the engine or from the radiator

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 14 Feb 2011, 09:53
by billy739
main blue cap on water bottle is a vey common issue

when engine cold is best to check.

pull the small pipe off with it still screwed on the bottle.
try sucking and blowing on the cap- it should be air tight or the cap is faulty.

usually 9/10 cases cap just needs cleaning /taking apart

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 19 Feb 2011, 14:28
by lhd
Ho do you take the cap apart?
All i can remove is the rubber washer.
Rob.

Re: Losing water, but not overheating?

Posted: 19 Feb 2011, 15:18
by R0B
Rob.remove the rubber ring then the valve pulls out.
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