Coolant Issues

[afhgus]

Hi ALL

I am finding my coolant level requires topping up on a regular basis, ( which is beginning to annoy me) as everything that can be checked has been, head gasket replaced at great expense! Radiators replaced, hoses tightened, pressure tested and so on. I have been told this is normal for the age of car. I use daily with a mixture of driving hard and traffic jam stop starts. Its kept outside.

Has anyone else got this issue? Would be great to know.

thanks for reading

Angus

[DickyC]

Hey Angus

This won't help you find where it's going but should dispel the "normal for the age of the car" nonsense. Mine's used regularly (10K last year) and doesn't need topping up between services.

DickyC

[DickyC]

And is on 138,000 I should add...

[afhgus]

Hey Dicky

Thanks for the response, I've just had a nose around my secondary radiator which looks like there is some nasty bits of corrosion on it, inside next to the belts, maybe I have a tiny leak? Glad you don't have these issue though, this radiator was replaced 4 years ago....

cheers

[DickyC]

A tiny weep will evaporate leaving little evidence until you go looking for it. And it sounds like that's what you've just done. I think there's an element of luck with rads. Mine were recored a few years back (before I bought it) and are okay but you bought new ones and have a leak.

By the bye, in the pre-Ford days, every new Aston Martin left the factory with Bars Leaks already in the cooling system! That might be a way to go.

[afhgus]

Hi Dicky

On Re-evalulation I think the rad might be ok despite cooling fins looking crumbly it is relatively new. I've had suggestions it could be the turbo hoses under the inlet manifold that could be it. Anyway I'm going to monitor it and live with it until I can get it looked at. I'll let you know what i find,

cheers

A

[Corey]

With the car cold have the coolant system pressurised (no more than 1Bar) and any leak will be evident. If it is a small leak and the car is hot it will evaporate and not leave any trace.
Have the coolant tested to see if the head gasket has gone also.

[80seq]

Hi I have same issue, bloody annoying. I had mine pressure tested but showed no leak. While doing an oil change however I removed the under body drip tray and found evidence of a small leak directly below radiator but can't see/work out where it is coming from!

[DickyC]

Did I mention Bars Leaks?

Bars Leaks Radiator Stop Leak, ideal for weepy rads.

[afhgus]

I've just discovered a nice pool of coolant underneath main rad, this was visible from the off side looking through to under the front spoiler from the front wheel, why didn't I see this before! Its booked for the work as we talk. BTY I plan to sell my car in later September time. 5 years of ownership and my bank account is calling time...

A

[afhgus]

It appears a bracket worked lose under the main rad. Radiator out job to see...sigh

AH