Coolant Loss

[tommchowat]

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong, perhaps I'm being thick. But, is this, or is it not, a leaking auxiliary radiator?



The other one is bone dry.

[MikeFish]

The bottom and sides is where I'd expect it to rust the most as that is where the damp leaves collect and rot your rad. Hard to tell but are the darker bits wet?

FYI the hexagon grille there just pops off if you want a better look or photo inside.

[tommchowat]

Correct, the darker bits are wet. They were dry before I started the car. My local garage said they weren't able to see a leak. I managed to recreate the leak by turning the car on and leaving it half an hour. Idiots.

I also got a bit curious, and got a hydrocarbon tester kit, because I was still in disbelief about the head gasket claim. Here is a picture of the liquid after I did the test, in the tester is obviously the liquid I just used, in the glass is the liquid as it comes out the bottle;



Now assuming I did it correctly, (engine warm, end of tester in coolant tank but not touching water, pump squeezy bit for about 3 minutes), they look exactly the same colour. It's meant to go yellow or green if there's a leak.

What the hell were these guys on about?! I'll do another one of these tomorrow to make sure.

[MB2]

Good news - all signs point at the common problem of the radiator. I guess if you wanted to be absolutely sure you could bypass the suspicious rad and test again ?

[tommchowat]

I did it again today, clean as a whistle. I'm certain there is nothing wrong with the engine. It goes fine, sounds fine, looks fine and I've tested the coolant for leaks twice. I'm getting the radiator changed tomorrow and I'm going to get a compression test done. Firstly for peace of mind, secondly so I can take the print out to the Mickey Mouse garage and ask them what the f**k they were thinking.

I've a feeling that because it was a Saturday afternoon, they couldn't find a leak and they wanted to go home, they wanted to fob me off with some rubbish story. I lose faith in humanity sometimes.