Coolant leak?

[ChimBungee]

search currently unavailable so sorry if this is a FAQ.

When I returned to my car, I noticed a small puddle under the front. The liquid leaked from a small hole under the nose so I suspect the coolant.

At home, I checked the bible that states the filling is checked via the expansion tank (blue cap) and the level should not be under 2 inches of the top.

I just checked the expansion tank (cold engine now) and it's nearly empty, 1 inch left.

When I drove home the temperature was normal so I ask my self whether I can make it to the garage on own steam (50 miles), whether to just top up via the expansion tank , the header tank or just get the trailer another time to be on the safe side.

Until now, I've had nothing but hassles and I start to get fed up with this car....

[chimtvr]

i know this sounds horrible but taste the water if its coolant water it will be really really sweet if it isnt sweet dont worry top up and drive on if it is top up and let run see how much water it leaks go in the nearest petrol station and buy a can of radseal and tip it in should get you home

[ChimBungee]

well, it's not leaking right now and I didn't taste it

The fluid was clear, consistency a bit sticky and oily. Judging from the location it leaked out it can just be coolant.

So it's 50:50 distilled water and antifreeze isn't it?


Thanks

[chimtvr]

normal water and antifreeze will do just fine or if its to get you home really any water without antifreeze
a few years ago i had a radiator split in belgium on my way home on a bank holiday weekend i got home by bunging eggs and water in the radiator also macdonalds black pepper will work if yoiu are really stuck

[chimtvr]

the other thought is the puddle might have been there before you antifreeze doesnt evaporate so a puddle could be there days give your car the benefit of the doubt drive it a mile park somewhere clean see if it happens again then you can have the fun of tasting it remember your washer bottle also lives in the nose cone

[ChimBungee]

chimtvr said:

the other thought is the puddle might have been there before you antifreeze doesnt evaporate so a puddle could be there days give your car the benefit of the doubt drive it a mile park somewhere clean see if it happens again then you can have the fun of tasting it remember your washer bottle also lives in the nose cone

hmmm...residue sweet

I'll top up some distilled water, let her run until the fan kicks in and see...

[N17 TVR]

ChimBungee said:

At home, I checked the bible that states the filling is checked via the expansion tank (blue cap) and the level should not be under 2 inches of the top.

Not neccesarily true, they all seem to find their own level e.g. mine is happy with coolant 2 inches from bottom of expansion tank.

Swirl tank level is your main indicator as to whether you have lost coolant or not.

[shpub]

Second edition actually goes into more detail and the theory of self levelling TVRs... The handbooks say two inches but some cars are bottomers, some are toppers and some are middlers in reality.

[chim666]

ChimBungee said:

well, it's not leaking right now and I didn't taste it The fluid was clear, consistency a bit sticky and oily. Judging from the location it leaked out it can just be coolant. So it's 50:50 distilled water and antifreeze isn't it? Thanks

Don't waste your money topping-up with distilled - that's only meant for batteries and (some) steam irons! Ordinary tap water's fine.
Secondly, I had this too recently, but in my case it was after driving a few hours after washing the car - the rinsing water had accumulated in the 'nose' area somewhere, and had mixed with some dried coolant under the rad and dripped out through the aforesaid hole under the nose. Keep an eye on it...and don't lose heart!

[The Surveyor]

If it's sticky and oily, could it be power steering fluid (only if yours is fitted), or alternativly, condensate from the AC unit (again if fitted)? Same area, and mine leaves a little damp patch under the nose.

Don't despair, yours looks a beauty, and just wait until the summer......

[ChimBungee]

The Surveyor said:

Don't despair, yours looks a beauty, and just wait until the summer......

*sniff*

well, I topped it up via the expansion tank yesterday night - no puddle this morning but when I drove IT out of my garage and closed the door, I saw IT had started to dribble.
Watched the temp on the jouney and later checked the level again - IT lost some fluid, however no puddle.

Called Fernies and looks like another weekend without car.

Sometimes I feel like a twit when I have to call them all the time... (they actually handle that very friendly and seem to keep their countenance )

Ah, and today I received a letter from the RAC, looks like after 2 months of membership, I used up my breakdown cover for this year...

So I better make it on own steam.