Coolant leak and empty expansion tank
Discussion
Hi all, I know there are a number of historic posts regarding this subject but I'm a little perplexed as to what goes on when the engine gets hot and my current issue.
I've had the Wedge now for over two months and it hadn't used a drop of coolant, although the expansion overflow tank took turns trading water, but overall when all had cooled down, all was happy.
After a bit of a thrashing over the hot weekend I checked the coolant and the overflow bottle had completely overflowed and the expansion tank was completely empty. Alarm bells ringing at this point. The expansion tank had been fitted with a new 15psi cap shortly after I bought the car.
This evening I checked all fluids, and with the cap off started the engine and watched the fluid level in the expansion tank gradually creep up to the top. Why is this? Is it due to trapped air in the system expanding and expelling the coolant? There were no bubbles in the coolant, no smell of petrol or exhaust gases, just clear coolant recirculating.
Anyway put the cap back on and in a few minutes the top rad hose started leaking. Sorted that out by tightening jubilee clip even tighter. Left it a few more minutes then a new leak started at the bottom hose of the expansion tank. I've got a spare in stock so will swap out both tank and replace hose tomorrow and see what happens then.
My view however is that if it was just a leak in the expansion tank then why would the overflow bottle be completely flooded? I'm concerned that it's the head gasket which has pressurised the system and caused maybe both of the leaks? But why is the coolant clean, without bubbles and without obvious contamination?
Any thoughts? I have ordered a brand new stainless cap so will also see if that makes a difference.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151136040121?_trksid=p20...
I've had the Wedge now for over two months and it hadn't used a drop of coolant, although the expansion overflow tank took turns trading water, but overall when all had cooled down, all was happy.
After a bit of a thrashing over the hot weekend I checked the coolant and the overflow bottle had completely overflowed and the expansion tank was completely empty. Alarm bells ringing at this point. The expansion tank had been fitted with a new 15psi cap shortly after I bought the car.
This evening I checked all fluids, and with the cap off started the engine and watched the fluid level in the expansion tank gradually creep up to the top. Why is this? Is it due to trapped air in the system expanding and expelling the coolant? There were no bubbles in the coolant, no smell of petrol or exhaust gases, just clear coolant recirculating.
Anyway put the cap back on and in a few minutes the top rad hose started leaking. Sorted that out by tightening jubilee clip even tighter. Left it a few more minutes then a new leak started at the bottom hose of the expansion tank. I've got a spare in stock so will swap out both tank and replace hose tomorrow and see what happens then.
My view however is that if it was just a leak in the expansion tank then why would the overflow bottle be completely flooded? I'm concerned that it's the head gasket which has pressurised the system and caused maybe both of the leaks? But why is the coolant clean, without bubbles and without obvious contamination?
Any thoughts? I have ordered a brand new stainless cap so will also see if that makes a difference.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151136040121?_trksid=p20...
Hi, just a quick update but all now seems well. Fixed all the leaks, changed a few hoses, fitted new (old stock) expansion tank with new shiny stainless 15psi cap and ran it up to temperature and left it there for an hour with the cooling fan kicking in and out. Then thrashed it around the block a few times and all is behaving.
Thanks for all the various comments. MOT next Saturday so next job is to fit my new seat belts as old ones are buggered and certainly won't pass a test.
Thanks for all the various comments. MOT next Saturday so next job is to fit my new seat belts as old ones are buggered and certainly won't pass a test.
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