Losing coolant
Discussion
Alfa Guilietta Coolant issues 
Car: Alfa Guilietta 1.4 MA (170BHP) Petrol 2011 Veloce Model.
Issue: Coolant Leak and extremely poor MPG (22mpg or less on a 20minute+ run daily).
Quick TL : DR coolant expansion tank / Water pump / Timing belt / Full Service / Sniff Tested (Negative on the test) (Northern Alfa Performance in the UK) / radiator (Very well trusted mechanic i have trusted with all my cars prior to Alfa ownership) replaced and I'm still losing coolant! Gareth (Northern Alfa Performance) thinks is currently:
It sounds to me like the system is getting over pressurised and finding the weakest spot we had changed that clip because it had leaked from there when changed. Most likely pressure from the engine. But see how it goes.
pressuring from the head gasket and air locking the radiator which lifts the coolant in the header tank
(As my coolant bounced from sub min line (1-2cm below) to 3-4 cm above max (nearly filled the entire tank) when no additional coolant was added!
Since the coolant tank has been replaced I can visible see a leak now(Imgur Link)(before think the leak was somewhere unknown and you can see from the pic the coolant has bounce above max again) even with this hose clip as tight as possible is still continues to leak (Gareth suggests this is due to this location being the 'weakest' point so the pressure is being released here. Note: All pictures were taken when the engine was stone cold (Left over night and not driven for atleast 12+ hours).
I am at a loss - Oil is clean - checked under the cap and the dipstick and its all looks pretty much perfect. I think it maybe a head gasket issue (as that is what Gareth has put it down too as its currently one of the one releases this could still be happening) as most garages are closed over the festive period I'm going crazy as I cant figure this out! Help 📷.
Note: I saw another video about an alfa having the same issue and not sure if its related or not but the coolant is 'smoking' when engine is running (from cold) with the coolant cap off not sure if this is normal or this is infact combustion gases that previously didnt show up on a sniff test?
Link to video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/L7pyyw38eP49XmBHA
I have been quoted for a cylinder head gasket (12 months warranty) incl head bolts, timing belt, water pump kit, the cylinder head / pressure testing and skimmed for 665.92 inc VAT by "ClickMechanic" and they will come to me and collect the car... not sure if this is good or not as I've not been able to get quotes from any others yet, so any suggestions on this would be helpful as well.
Car: Alfa Guilietta 1.4 MA (170BHP) Petrol 2011 Veloce Model.
Issue: Coolant Leak and extremely poor MPG (22mpg or less on a 20minute+ run daily).
Quick TL : DR coolant expansion tank / Water pump / Timing belt / Full Service / Sniff Tested (Negative on the test) (Northern Alfa Performance in the UK) / radiator (Very well trusted mechanic i have trusted with all my cars prior to Alfa ownership) replaced and I'm still losing coolant! Gareth (Northern Alfa Performance) thinks is currently:
It sounds to me like the system is getting over pressurised and finding the weakest spot we had changed that clip because it had leaked from there when changed. Most likely pressure from the engine. But see how it goes.
pressuring from the head gasket and air locking the radiator which lifts the coolant in the header tank
(As my coolant bounced from sub min line (1-2cm below) to 3-4 cm above max (nearly filled the entire tank) when no additional coolant was added!
Since the coolant tank has been replaced I can visible see a leak now(Imgur Link)(before think the leak was somewhere unknown and you can see from the pic the coolant has bounce above max again) even with this hose clip as tight as possible is still continues to leak (Gareth suggests this is due to this location being the 'weakest' point so the pressure is being released here. Note: All pictures were taken when the engine was stone cold (Left over night and not driven for atleast 12+ hours).
I am at a loss - Oil is clean - checked under the cap and the dipstick and its all looks pretty much perfect. I think it maybe a head gasket issue (as that is what Gareth has put it down too as its currently one of the one releases this could still be happening) as most garages are closed over the festive period I'm going crazy as I cant figure this out! Help 📷.
Note: I saw another video about an alfa having the same issue and not sure if its related or not but the coolant is 'smoking' when engine is running (from cold) with the coolant cap off not sure if this is normal or this is infact combustion gases that previously didnt show up on a sniff test?
Link to video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/L7pyyw38eP49XmBHA
I have been quoted for a cylinder head gasket (12 months warranty) incl head bolts, timing belt, water pump kit, the cylinder head / pressure testing and skimmed for 665.92 inc VAT by "ClickMechanic" and they will come to me and collect the car... not sure if this is good or not as I've not been able to get quotes from any others yet, so any suggestions on this would be helpful as well.
Not sure if this applies to the petrol car, but I had similar with my 2.0 diesel - but not all the time.
Basically it was a cap on the EGR heat exchanger which had a hairline crack. It would release at a certain pressure. Get your mechanic to pressure test the system and hopefully all should become clear. The MA may have a similar set up.
Hope this helps
Basically it was a cap on the EGR heat exchanger which had a hairline crack. It would release at a certain pressure. Get your mechanic to pressure test the system and hopefully all should become clear. The MA may have a similar set up.
Hope this helps
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