Losing water but where from?
Discussion
I've been losing coolant - maybe a pint or two at a time.
It's not going into the catch tank. But I ran it fully up to temperature this evening and there was no dripping underneath, and no hissing noises when I stopped the engine....
Can't see any water in the cabin so I don't think it's the heater matrix but I suppose I could blank off the hoses to make sure. Any ideas?
I would be very interested to know the answer to this !! I had a 390 a few years ago with the same issue. Extensive (external) checks failed to shed any light on it. I assume any cracks in the engine itself would result in either steam from exhaust/ sludge in oil or coolant. I guess pressure checking the cooling system would be the first stop (probably obvious but I am certainly no mechanic !!!).Otherwise it starts to get expensive with removal of major components. Good luck with this one.
If it was the matrix, you'd see the water in the cabin, especially with a pint or two disappearing at a time. If there are no obvious external leaks, I'd be looking for exhaust gasses in the coolant. Head gaskets? Cylinder head etc. Pint or two disappearing that way doesn't always give off bad steam until it gets worst.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
Cheapest and easyest is to start with the expansion tank cap. My cap started leaking water and was hissing quite loudly!
Check all hoses, thermostat and connections. They're 20+ years old!
Check radiator. Get in there with a flashlight and look for coolant.
Pull spark plugs and check if any one is "steam cleaned" (if the water's hitting a hot engine part, it will just evaporate.
If that doesn't get you anywhere, you can borrow one or buy a coolant pressure tester from amazon.
Check all hoses, thermostat and connections. They're 20+ years old!
Check radiator. Get in there with a flashlight and look for coolant.
Pull spark plugs and check if any one is "steam cleaned" (if the water's hitting a hot engine part, it will just evaporate.
If that doesn't get you anywhere, you can borrow one or buy a coolant pressure tester from amazon.
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Monday 1st December 19:28
ElvisWedgely said:
If it was the matrix, you'd see the water in the cabin, especially with a pint or two disappearing at a time. If there are no obvious external leaks, I'd be looking for exhaust gasses in the coolant. Head gaskets? Cylinder head etc. Pint or two disappearing that way doesn't always give off bad steam until it gets worst.
Tony. TCB.
In theory yes, but with all the sponge underlay etc and carpet it may not notice for a while, had the same issue with my heater matrix and it was just getting soaked up for months.Tony. TCB.
Leaking from the underside of the inlet manifold? I've had the steel pipes to the heater corrode through (as pinpricks), the valley gasket often had a pool of water on it. Took a while to notice and longer to find the cause!
Also had the thermostat housing weeping, seemed as though the mating face wasn't flat. So I got the engineer's blue on it and rubbed it back to flat, but months later it stared again and when I checked, it wasn't flat any more. It was as though the bolt hole 'ears' were deforming under tension.
Also had the thermostat housing weeping, seemed as though the mating face wasn't flat. So I got the engineer's blue on it and rubbed it back to flat, but months later it stared again and when I checked, it wasn't flat any more. It was as though the bolt hole 'ears' were deforming under tension.
2 pints over how long? Put the top on, wind up the windows and go for a drive, leaks into cabin should stink of hot anti-freeze and windows should mist up (on a normal car, maybe too many holes in a Wedge to restrict ventilation!).
Can drain down, pressure test (tyre valve into small bore coolant pipe, bicycle pump, tyre pressure gauge) listen for the hisssssssss.
Scatter gun = change swan neck cap and expansion/header tank cap.
Can drain down, pressure test (tyre valve into small bore coolant pipe, bicycle pump, tyre pressure gauge) listen for the hisssssssss.
Scatter gun = change swan neck cap and expansion/header tank cap.
Wedg1e said:
I've had the steel pipes to the heater corrode through (as pinpricks), the valley gasket often had a pool of water on it. Took a while to notice and longer to find the cause!
...Ive had this a couple of times over a couple of months..And my rad leaked and then stopped?....It looks a right pig of a job to get to those pipes...Adam...What was that homemade "Tee" fitting you posted up a short while ago...You sure thats not leaking....
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...
Edited by mrzigazaga on Tuesday 2nd December 09:46
Can you get someone to follow you when the car is up to operating temp and monitor the exhaust for water vapour? RV8 produces a lot of water vapour in this weather during warm-up, but 2 pints in 20 miles should leave a trail of anti-freeze scented air if going through combustion chamber(s).
Head gasket is another possibility as I have seen bubbles in t'watter.
It's a composite one from Rimmer's. I think the number 8 cylinder has a small leak and it might have got worse I suppose. I just pulled the spark plug though but it looks normal (sooty is normal for the 400SX).
Luckily that side is the one not under the blower so I might just bite the bullet and replace it again.
It's a composite one from Rimmer's. I think the number 8 cylinder has a small leak and it might have got worse I suppose. I just pulled the spark plug though but it looks normal (sooty is normal for the 400SX).
Luckily that side is the one not under the blower so I might just bite the bullet and replace it again.
Not worked on RV8 engine, but I know from a lot of different engines, a minor leak can be difficult to find, and a real bugger.....
I reckon the only thing is to check EVERYTHING water related, all hoses, joints, pipes, etc. heater matrix and cover (Yep, may have to take it apart (that where the 'bugger' comes from), radiator, caps.....for any wetness.
Look carefully for any green (or yellow, depending upon antifreeze colour) or rust, or powder stains, where a leak may dry off due to hot temps.
Is it possible there is a frost plug leak ? Had those in cast iron engines, not sure if applies to RV8 too...probably.
Cologne V6 has one covered up by gearbox bellhousing which is a real
to deal with.
If there's a head gasket leak, don't you tend to get grey or cream layer in oil ? Or does that need a lot of water ?
I reckon the only thing is to check EVERYTHING water related, all hoses, joints, pipes, etc. heater matrix and cover (Yep, may have to take it apart (that where the 'bugger' comes from), radiator, caps.....for any wetness.
Look carefully for any green (or yellow, depending upon antifreeze colour) or rust, or powder stains, where a leak may dry off due to hot temps.
Is it possible there is a frost plug leak ? Had those in cast iron engines, not sure if applies to RV8 too...probably.
Cologne V6 has one covered up by gearbox bellhousing which is a real
to deal with.If there's a head gasket leak, don't you tend to get grey or cream layer in oil ? Or does that need a lot of water ?
My experience of the Rimmer composites has not been good; however my experience was with the 3.5L small bore version, I don't know if the larger bore version is the same. I've seen you can get lots of different larger bore versions that would probably fit the 4.0 engine, noteably the Elring Klinger ones - although they only use 10 head bolts. EK are OE to many manufacturers so I'd expect them to be good.
I've used this on my volkswagen before.
Shove it in your coolant system, any leaks will be visable under a UV light. There's also versions for leaking roofs, hydraulics, engine oil and leaking fuel lines.
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=vi...
It also looks pretty ace in my water cooled PC
Shove it in your coolant system, any leaks will be visable under a UV light. There's also versions for leaking roofs, hydraulics, engine oil and leaking fuel lines.
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=vi...
It also looks pretty ace in my water cooled PC
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Wednesday 3rd December 00:35
As suggested earlier, get it pressure tested, pump it up to 20psi+, look and listen. Repeat 'til you find it.
Apart from the valley area I would look at the heater hoses as they are the ones people don't change.
Underside could be rotting.
I doubt it is the heater matrix, you would smell that esp in a small cabin like a wedge, You'll have to put the lid on of course
Just don't get caught with the top up.
Apart from the valley area I would look at the heater hoses as they are the ones people don't change.
Underside could be rotting.
I doubt it is the heater matrix, you would smell that esp in a small cabin like a wedge, You'll have to put the lid on of course
Just don't get caught with the top up.Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff