Coolant Leak??

[larryb]

After a spirited run out last night (with top off of coure !!) I put my V8S away in the garage as normal. This morning I got it out to find a puddle of water under the front . I had a good look round and can't seem to see any water dripping out, although there is signs of past water leakage down the big red water top up thingy (swirl pot?)and the base appeared to be a bit damp? It has only lost about 2 inches of water? It was not raining but I had filled up my washers and washed the windscreen whilst on the move a couple of times?

Is it usual to dump water after a spirited run?

Could the swirl pot? be corroded?

Could the cap be dodgy?

Could it just be the water from washing the windscreen?

[S3 Rich]

probably just a knackered rubber seal around your pressure cap, on top of your swirl pot.

new rubbers usually come with new caps, may be worth cahnging if fairly old as i had a bad experience with a dodgy pressure cap, resuling in a split hose incident

Richard

[F908 Tim]

I have never had to put a drop in mine in over two years...but I don't know how typical that is.

There is always some contention about should the pressure cap go on the swirl tank or the pressure tank
(mine is on the swirl tank)
You might need a replacement pressure cap by the sound of it.
You could put some meths or blue washer mix in your windsreen bottle so you can eliminate that by the colour/smell of the puddle on the floor.If the bottom of your swirl tank is wet after driving then I suspect the cap.

[GreenV8S]

Is this as in screeching to a halt surrounded by steam and brake dust and switch off, or a gentle cool down for the last couple of miles? If it's the former, could just be heat soak leading to local boiling when the engine stopped, and pushing some coolant out. (And shame on you for treating it so badly.)

What fluid is it? Oil, hydraulic fluid, clean water, water with windscreen cleaner, water with antifreeze?

[larryb]

Hi guys

Tim - My 'S' is a 1992 V8S and only has one (tall red) swirl pot at the front of the engine - sadly I don't have a picture to hand.

GreenV8S - it was with an easy few miles to cool off, no steam or any sign there was anything wrong - Just a patch of water this morning.

I had topped the washers up with plain water as I didn't have any rain-x with me - the water on the floor was clear although it felt like it was not just plain water? I had just had breakfast and could not face tasting it, and assumed it was water with antifreeze given the location.

I hope to investigate further tonight!!

[GreenV8S]

larryb said:

My 'S' is a 1992 V8S and only has one (tall red) swirl pot at the front of the engine

You should also find a plastic header tank attached to the front of the metal swirl tank, with a pipe from the top of the swirl tank to the bottom of the header tank.

[GI]

Can you put Rain-X in your washer bottle then?

[Roy C]

You can use the Rain-x Washer Fluid (not the glass treatment fluid).

[larryb]

GreenV8S - I definately have only one swirl pot. From looking at the pictures this is the same as V8Smiths (obviously not as clean and shiny though!!). I had assumed it was the norm for 1991/1992 V8S?

GI - I have used Rain-X to clean/treat windscreen and then use a Rain-X screen wash in conjunction.

[V8Smith]

larryb said:

GreenV8S - I definately have only one swirl pot. From looking at the pictures this is the same as V8Smiths (obviously not as clean and shiny though!!). I had assumed it was the norm for 1991/1992 V8S? GI - I have used Rain-X to clean/treat windscreen and then use a Rain-X screen wash in conjunction.

Pete not all V8S's have the header tank there, mine is attached to the bulkhead under the airflow pipe, probably where Larrys is.

Mike

[GreenV8S]

V8Smith said:

Pete not all V8S's have the header tank there, mine is attached to the bulkhead under the airflow pipe, probably where Larrys is.

I do remember seeing that, now you mention it. I assme the plumbing logic is the same i.e. from the top of the swirl tank to the bottom of the header tank. I have seen one S with the pipe to the *top* of the header tank, which is obviously a complete waste of time.

[larryb]

Ooops.... I have had a quick look at a photo of my Air Flow Pipe, and low and behold there is a cap hiding under the bend.......so I do have two afterall (apologies GreenV8S).

I have been checking and topping up via the red swirl pot? Is that ok the proper way to do it?

[GreenV8S]

Yes. The swirl pot should always be full or nearly full, and there should be at least some water in the header tank (the level in the header tank will vary as the temperature and revs change).


Is it supposed to have a pressure cap on it? Oh yes it is! Oh no it isn't! It's behind you! etc