l322 using water!!! help please.

[ant996]

Hello, I'm 5 weeks into ownership of my new car well it's new to me, it's a 54 plate 05 spec with touch screen sat nav etc if that makes any difference? anyway the warning sign on the dash came on today and said check coolant level so I had a look and it was completely dry!! I've filled it up to the correct level and I'll just have to keep an eye on it. Which brings me to my question, I've had problems in the past with the p38 losing water but it's not something I've heard about with the newer models, so basically is this a common problem? and what's the cause if so?

thanks in advance,

Anthony.

[GKP]

They do have a habit of losing their coolant, but unlike the P38A they don't normally injest it they spit it out!

The expansion tank (n/s front of the engine bay) develops leaks around the sensor and the moulding seam. Sometimes from the cap, too. Not expensive to fix - about thirty quid and ten minutes of your time.

If there's no evidence of the expansion tank leaking, then your next suspect will be the radiator itself. You get leaks from the sensor and the end-caps. A new radiator is pricey but diy-able if you're handy with the spanners.

Make an effort to find your leak as it'll be a cheaper fix than overheating the engine!

[ant996]

That's absolutely fantastic!! thanks very much, I'll have a good look around it later once all the snow has gone!!

Thanks very much,

Anthony.

[ruaricoles]

Yes, as GKP said, I'd bet on it being the radiator end tanks, probably at the top 5 tubes. Look for coolant stains down the front and/or back face of the rad as the giveaway.

Ruari