low coollant

[tobeee]

I've been doing the regular oil/water etc checks on my new old chim (1997 5.0) and noticed that it loses a fair bit of coollant each week (about 200 miles driven). I fill it to 2" below top of expansion tank, and when I open it a week later, there's a slight hiss (so seal is good) and a gurgle (whilst the coollant resettles I guess) and the new level is close to the bottom of the tank (probably between 0.5 and 1 litre lost). I've scanned the bible, but need advice on whether this is normal usage, and if not, where I can look for leaks (it's parked on a driveway, so no way of detecting a small leak by checking for puddles).

Cheers, Toby

[tvrbob]

2" may not give you enough expansion space. Water expends when hot and needs somewhere to go. If there's not enough room in the expansion tank it'll simply lift the pressure cap and drain out as you're driving along. You'll not see any evidence on your drive because it comes out when it reaches temperature. Best check is to lower your refill line to 4" and see if you still lose water.

[shpub]

The new 2nd edition states that some cars are bottom of the tank'ers and others are 2 inch from the topp'ers. I've had both.

just chcek it doesn't overheat and if so, you probably have a bottom of the tanker.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk.

[Incorrigible]

Check the swirl pot is full too

[M@H]

With utmost repsect to Mr Pub I have noted on the Early Chim, that (as there is no expansion tank) the relevant "height" of the Water Pump, is roughly equivalent to about half way up the Swirl Pot. Accordingly I would have guessed that if your water level in the pot is below the "height" of the water pump, then you may well not get water circulating and could get an air lock forming around/above the Pump & Stat. With that in mind I would reckon on having an early car filled to at least this height in the Pot.

Just a thought..

Matt.