Coolant Usage

[marinabrid]

Hi all

The old gal seems to be using a fair bit of coolant lately

a 100 mile round trip used 2 pint ,  more or less the top level of the bottle to the bottom

car not overheating, no water in the oil,  no obvious leaks,  no puddles, no steam from rad cap or exhaust,  on thinking , its always used a bit over the years  more than the old 90hp we had.

should there be a hissing when i unscrew the rad cap when hot,    i forgot !  i dont do much milage these days so its not a great problem unless i was going a long way.

car runs perfectly . cant see any antifreeze stains anywhere,   the booster heater isnt leaking as i can see. very puzzling.

could it be head gasket problem ?  ive ordered a new rad cap to start with as the cheapest option.

thanks

[seatkid]

Before looking at the cracked head or head gasket leak possibility, check all the possiblilites.

You started with with the expansion cap then after a run, while still hot:

 

1. check radiator end tanks where the connect to the matrix, they can corrode here and leak under pressure, but dry out very quickly - tell talesigns are whiteish deposits and corrosion

 

2. Check radiator for stone damage - might be a pinprick hole - again the water evaporates as soon as it leaves.

 

3. Check all water piping particularly at joints or where other items are in close contact. IIRC one member had a worn through water pipe near some rubbing a/c pipework. Pipework goes all the way back to the rear heater!

 

4. Check water pump, look for drips underneath and again telltale white deposits.

 

5. Check for damp/water at heater air outlets - could be a failed heater matrix.

 

If you unscrew the cap when the engine is hot?- this is a pretty dangerous thing to do! - for one the system is under pressure and could be over boiling point in some parts of the engine (head) - it can lead to massive expulsion of near boiling water and you spending the next few days in hospital having a skin graft. Checking when luke warm, yes it hisses as you release the pressure.

Edited March 5, 2013 by seatkid

[marinabrid]

thanks.  will have to have another look around  or put some radweld in. 

[viperclive]

I had the same problem on my 2.3 and after close inspection it was bottom nearside had started to weep, rad welded her three years ago and still holding!