Help! Coolant Issues, Garage Can't Fix It!

[ee0u30eb]

If anyone can help[ or suggest a fix to the problem below I would be very appreciative!

 

52 Reg Galaxy Ghia 1.9 TDi.

 

The problem started with a coolant leak, it initially appeared to be under the rear of the car where two metal pipes were joined with a rubber hose. I fixed this leak with two jubilee clips.

 

There still appeared to be a leak, the coolant kept dropping and so I took it to the garage. Initial diagnosis.... cracked expansion vessel. Had that replaced, problem seemed lesser, but still dropping on long journeys. Took it back to the garage, garage ran a dye test to see if the Head Gasket was gone, but no problems apparent. New diagnosis was that the pressure cap needing replacing, so had that replaced.

 

We then drove 3 hours to Cambridge and the coolant went low again! So I topped it up and put a bottle of Radweld in (big mistake). 10-15 minutes later the STOP light illuminated, and the temp went to red. I stopped and opened the bonnet to find the expansion vessel full of coolant to the brim, I tried to release the pressure by undoing the cap, and it seemed to bubble away, but then filled back up (engine was off - there must have been some pressure forcing it back up). After letting the engine cool, the expansion vessel remained full and didn't go to normal levels. Called the RAC out and had to be towed back home.

 

Car goes back to garage with the following symptoms:

 

Coolant does not circulate... if engine is on the top hose isn't returning coolant

Expansion vessel is full

 

Initially the garage thought the pump was gone, but I wasn't convinced as that would not explain the abnormal coolant level, if the pump was gone the coolant could still return to normal level. I suspected a blockage from the Radweld.

 

Mechanics then drained the system, checked the pump worked (it does), replaced the thermostat and thought they had found the problem.... an airblock. They then filled it up again and let it sit overnight. This morning they then drove it for an hour, got back and found the coolant had filled the vessel again. the mechanic now seems to have no idea what to do. Apparently he ran loads of water throught he system and checked it all came through (which it did) and he checked the resistance of the radiator by blowing in air.

 

The mechanic has spoken to a friend who apparently knows everything about these engines, and he had witnessed the same issue in another Galaxy, replaced the radiator and it worked for a couple of weeks but then happened again.

 

So to finish, my mechanic had no idea what is wrong and doesn't know what to do now. Nor do I!

 

Please help me get it going again!

 

Thanks

[chrispb123456]

Hi there

A subject that has loomed many times, first thoughts would seem to point to a blocked rad especially after adding radweld.

 

A few things to check.

 

Make sure electric run on pump is working, this is found behind the fuel filter, this will assist expelling any air in the system and ensure flow through rear heater, assuming that this is working try this.

 

With a cold engine and with coolant at correct level (leave cap off) start engine observe water bottle?

it should take about 20 mins for engine to get to 90 deg, any sudden rise in water level or air bubbles would indicate air in the system this may be caused by compression pressure leaking into the water jacket ie, head gasket (most common) or cracks in head or block.

[ee0u30eb]

Ok thanks for that, i will look into the run-on pump. Our mechanic has never mentioned a run-on pump, are these standard?

 

I can't help but agree on a blocked radiator after adding radweld, the RAC mechanic had the same opinion, however for some reason our garage just doesn't think this is the case. I think he said he tried blowing air through it and reported that it went through with some resistance, but that he would have expected some resistance??

 

If the radiator was blocked, would this cause the expansion vessel to fill back up with coolant when running?

 

many thanks

[seatkid]

I'm inclined to think your head gasket has gone or if the car has been remapped or chipped in the past the head may have cracked (which usually only shows up when the engine is hot)

[chrispb123456]

Ok thanks for that, i will look into the run-on pump. Our mechanic has never mentioned a run-on pump, are these standard?

 

I can't help but agree on a blocked radiator after adding radweld, the RAC mechanic had the same opinion, however for some reason our garage just doesn't think this is the case. I think he said he tried blowing air through it and reported that it went through with some resistance, but that he would have expected some resistance??

 

If the radiator was blocked, would this cause the expansion vessel to fill back up with coolant when running?

 

many thanks

Hi again

The run on pump and booster heater are standard on the diesel models.

The pump starts a few seconds after starting engine and will continue to run all the time engine is running, and will continue to run for 5 mins approx after engine is switched off, if you listen you should hear a humming sound coming from the rear of the engine compartment.

The pump is more accessible by removing the bulkhead extension plate (scuttle plate).

 

I dont think blowing compressed air through a radiator will give as much an indication of any blockage, much better to try reverse flushing with water.

 

Under normal circumstances circulation through the radiator doesn't occur until thermostat starts to open so any rise in water level while engine is warming up would indicate air is being forced into system as already mentioned.

[spooky1067]

Hi, I had a same sort of trouble with my car, i was told it was the head gasket that had gone, so had it booked in with a different garage that told me haed had gone.

when they tested it the said it had poor circulation as the heater was cold and bottom rad hose was always cold.

so water pump was at fault, the impellar had broke off.

so with new water pump and timing belt fitted car runs great now. :)