14 replies to this topic

[Qazax]

Hi Guys,

First of all I would like to say my knowledge of engines is pretty poor, I understand the basics and am fairly sure I have an issue here but would like to see what you guys think.

So, the situation is that my Radiator failed a few weeks ago. If I sat in a traffic jam on the motorway it would lose coolant, and I would have to top it up (it used around 1.5 liters over the course of a few weeks). If I looked through the front grills I could see at the drivers side of the radiator a small patch of coolant, so I took it to PSR automotive (who I rate very highly) and they said it needed replacing, No problem, I went for the higher end more expensive radiator and left the car with them for 2 days.

The radiator was replaced on Wednesday/Thursday, and I noticed on Friday that the coolant was about 1/2cm below the seam in the tank. No problem I thought, it has just been swapped over/needs settling in/other uneducated reason. I topped it up and thought nothing of it, but made sure to check it each time I used my car. Well today I took a look and here is the level at the moment:



As you can see it has dropped a little again.

The strange thing is that when I popped the bonnet to have a gander, I could hear a noise that I can only describe as if you had a wet balloon with a very small puncture, letting air out. it definately sounded like a small amount of air coming out through a damp hole, and it worried me slightly, so I had a look around and could see that the pipe in the picture below that goes into the heat shield looked wet as if it had been leaking, and has also rusted:



I will be giving PSR a call tomorrow, but wondered if this is a known issue with these cars? I am a little miffed to have spent so much getting the radiator replaced only to have the coolant drop again Then once I get this sorted I need to sort the suspension out as the rear drivers side bangs when I got over a bump.

If you got this far through my long post thank you, and if you reply thank you again

Q

[GeorgeBC]

Could just be a little air in the system i would top it up and just keep an eye on it. That pipe is just a breather so will have a little oil in it but no coolant.

[GeorgeBC]

Does the header tank look like it could be cracked anywhere? Is the cap on nice and tight?

[Qazax]

Thanks for the quick reply. so if I give it a week and it sorts itself out, it is safe to assume it is just air, and if not I will get on the phone to PSR and see what they think?

[Goosenka]

My coolant goes up and down slightly. As said top it up and mark the line on the tank, monitor and see over time what happens.

[Qazax]

Header tank looks ok, will check it again though. Am I right in assuming that a pressure test would not only highlight a faulty radiator but would also bring to light an issue with the header tank? I would hope that the system was pressure tested once the new rad was put in is all.

[wantsum]

Would think it would only be pressure tested if the leak wasnt easy to find, I assume in your case the rad was goosed so the garage wouldnt look any further for a coolent leak. Wouldnt have thought the garage would pressure test after new rad was fitted either, they would just fill it , start the car and bring up to temp pref before the clam was put on and check for leaks Have you checked the bleed nipples? as these are prone to leaking.

[Qazax]

Does checking the bleed nipples involve jacking the car up and taking a headlight out? If so then it is way above my abilities unfortunately.

[wantsum]

theres one at the front behind the passenger head light you can see it if you open the bonnet should be able to assess if it leaking or not, problem with these cars is there is so much pipework and the majority is covered

[Qazax]

I will stick my head in tomorrow and have a nose about, I searched the forum but could not find a picture of what I am looking for, is that because you cant really get a decent picture due to how fiddly it is, or because most people know what a bleed nipple looks like?

And yes I did google it and, well -

[wantsum]

Common problem on these cars theres also two at the rear of the car in the engine bay
also make sure the coolent tank cap is on really tight, link to another thread below:-

http://www.vx220.org...ck-help-needed/

[wantsum]

Nice pic by the way , only just seen that

[Qazax]

Haha, that sums up how much i know about these cars, but i am trying to learn. Thanks for the link, this bit particularly filled me with confidence :

"Make sure you do it up nice and tight. It's the most likely to weep.
Although doing it up too tight may make it weep too."

D:

[wantsum]

Just to a pic of mine pm your e-mail and I will send it ya, easyer than posting it on here

[Qazax]

PM'd Thanks