Where is my engine coolant going?

[V12VMan]

So the last couple of outings in the V12 Vantage I have been having a "low coolant" warning. I have filled up the little tank with about half a litre of water on couple of occasions but the issue persists and each time I have had to top up the tank!

I cannot see any evidence of a leak the engine seems to be running fine and the temperature gauge stays on the normal halfway mark! Anyone out there had a similar experience or clues/suggestions to the issue?

[divetheworld]

Hmm.
Have you checked the oil colour first?
Logic dictates that if it isn't coming out the side, its going out the back.

[bogie]

You can overfill the tank and it will overflow down to correct level. Could be the sensor is on the blink and tells you its low when its not, its just at its normal level. You then overfill it a few hundred ml to the top, then next time you look its gone down again....to the normal level. In the meanwhile the faulty sensor tells you its low.

That happened to me twice, albeit on V8 Vantage. The sensor is £20 ish and 5 mins to fit. Worth a try first.

[V12VMan]

divetheworld said:

Hmm.
Have you checked the oil colour first?
Logic dictates that if it isn't coming out the side, its going out the back.

I have and all seems OK - no scary white foam!

[V12VMan]

bogie said:

You can overfill the tank and it will overflow down to correct level. Could be the sensor is on the blink and tells you its low when its not, its just at its normal level. You then overfill it a few hundred ml to the top, then next time you look its gone down again....to the normal level. In the meanwhile the faulty sensor tells you its low.

That happened to me twice, albeit on V8 Vantage. The sensor is £20 ish and 5 mins to fit. Worth a try first.

Thanks I was thinking faulty sensor too!

[agaton12]

The coolant tank should always be completely full!. There is an overflow bottle (mounted behind the fender liner where you cannot see it ) which catches the overflow as the temperature rises, but this will be sucked back as the engine cools. If the level in the coolant tank drops you have a leak or a misbehaving overflow bottle.
I had a similar experience with a leaking radiator. The leak was not large enough to leave a puddle on the floor since the water evaporated due to the heat. There was however a noticable smell of antifreeze when I returned from a drive.

[Ken Figenus]

No water vapour in the exhaust on a hot engine? You shouldn't be 'seeing' the exhaust fumes at all.

[ian448]

Same as above , my monies on a blown radiator. I was loosing coolant but couldnt spot any leaks or tell tell spots on the floor. Radiator had bulged at the bottom (very prone to this) and was only slightly weeping coolant which subsequently evaporated.Only give away was the smell of coolant after I had been out for a run

[JaseB]

One of the jubilee clips went on mine, the 2 big hoses at the very front of the car are/were the crimp type rather than screw type - mine went fairly spectacularly but without any lasting damage thankfully...

Might be worth a quick check for a leak there.

[V12VMan]

Thanks for the input chaps - trip to Spellbound booked to investigate further next week!

[V12VMan]

Mistry solved, there is a large water pipe at the bottom of the engine connected I think to the water pump that has a plastic joint (for whatever reason) and that's where all the coolant has been escaping from!

[divetheworld]

So it was coming out the side. Thats good news.

[Ken Figenus]

Great news - easy fix Phew!

[AstonFord2000]

I hope that’s the case with my DB9 - of course I check it regularly - but it’s been in storage for about 3 months and has ‘weed’ on the floor - near rear of engine.... Dye for a service soon but would prefer to fix myself - for “financial reasons” if you get my drift!! Thanks to the various contributors!