Coolant Leak and some Questions
Discussion
Hi All
Went down to my Chimaera this morning to find a small puddle of coolant on the floor, seeping through some holes in the bodywork inside of the right front wheel. Under the bonnet there's a little visible wetness and dried pink residue (presumably from coolant) under that side of the radiator - passenger side is dry as a bone.
I'm guessing there's just a small leak, but the corresponding holes underneath the passenger side of the car have two bolts in them, so I'm curious what those go to and if something is supposed to be in the matching holes on the driver's side? Did something come loose and/or damage the radiator, or did it just spring a leak right at that spot? As a note, the coolant level in the swirl pot seems "normal" as best as I can tell (car is pre-serp, no expansion tank) but I did add a little extra since some obviously came out.
I'm going to attempt to remove the rad over the next few days and take a look. While I'm in there, is there anything else I should do besides clean/tighten that front chassis earth point? I'd like to replace some hoses and such but unsure how to source those over here in America, if anyone has any recommendations or know of compatible Land Rover parts that would be appreciated.
Another question on removing the radiator, is there a drain plug or do you just take the bottom hose off and hope you can catch all the coolant?
Thanks
Some pictures (top pic only wants to upload upside down, so use your imagination
Those are the "empty" holes under the car on the driver's side with some coolant seeping out of them):
Went down to my Chimaera this morning to find a small puddle of coolant on the floor, seeping through some holes in the bodywork inside of the right front wheel. Under the bonnet there's a little visible wetness and dried pink residue (presumably from coolant) under that side of the radiator - passenger side is dry as a bone.
I'm guessing there's just a small leak, but the corresponding holes underneath the passenger side of the car have two bolts in them, so I'm curious what those go to and if something is supposed to be in the matching holes on the driver's side? Did something come loose and/or damage the radiator, or did it just spring a leak right at that spot? As a note, the coolant level in the swirl pot seems "normal" as best as I can tell (car is pre-serp, no expansion tank) but I did add a little extra since some obviously came out.
I'm going to attempt to remove the rad over the next few days and take a look. While I'm in there, is there anything else I should do besides clean/tighten that front chassis earth point? I'd like to replace some hoses and such but unsure how to source those over here in America, if anyone has any recommendations or know of compatible Land Rover parts that would be appreciated.
Another question on removing the radiator, is there a drain plug or do you just take the bottom hose off and hope you can catch all the coolant?
Thanks
Some pictures (top pic only wants to upload upside down, so use your imagination
Those are the "empty" holes under the car on the driver's side with some coolant seeping out of them):Could the holes be a the result of somebody having previously fitted a splitter of some sort?
No idea about carriage cost to USA, or customs:
https://partsfortvrs.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tv...
It's been a while since I did mine (a serp) but I don't think any Land Rover bits fit.
No idea about carriage cost to USA, or customs:
https://partsfortvrs.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tv...
It's been a while since I did mine (a serp) but I don't think any Land Rover bits fit.
I was also curious about a splitter, since the car clearly doesn’t currently have one. I’m not sure if it’s too early of an example to have had one originally (1993) or if it was forcibly removed by a bump in the road and could have caused the potentially missing bolts in those locations. Either way, that’s now on my to-do list.
The two bolts to the l/h side will be retaining the horn.
Usually you will see 5 small holes inline where the splitter would once have been if fitted.
Hoses are Tvr specific so I’d buy the Powers Performance complete set of silicone ones which on my car after 8 or 9 years are still like new and you can be done with it.
Look super pucker too.
Replace both radiator bobbins which are nothing more than exhaust bobbins (Mini) I think!
Usually you will see 5 small holes inline where the splitter would once have been if fitted.
Hoses are Tvr specific so I’d buy the Powers Performance complete set of silicone ones which on my car after 8 or 9 years are still like new and you can be done with it.
Look super pucker too.
Replace both radiator bobbins which are nothing more than exhaust bobbins (Mini) I think!
When you have found and repaired the source of the leak, you will of course need to refill the cooling system.
From looking at the pink staining, it’s possible that an OAT silicate free coolant has been used.
This is not ideal for an older engine like an RV8, as it can corrode some components.
It needs a silicate based IAT coolant instead, which is usually blue in colour.
Unfortunately, these coolants don’t mix, so you will also need to fully flush the system first.
Good luck!
From looking at the pink staining, it’s possible that an OAT silicate free coolant has been used.
This is not ideal for an older engine like an RV8, as it can corrode some components.
It needs a silicate based IAT coolant instead, which is usually blue in colour.
Unfortunately, these coolants don’t mix, so you will also need to fully flush the system first.
Good luck!
Classic Chim said:
The two bolts to the l/h side will be retaining the horn.
Usually you will see 5 small holes inline where the splitter would once have been if fitted.
Hoses are Tvr specific so I’d buy the Powers Performance complete set of silicone ones which on my car after 8 or 9 years are still like new and you can be done with it.
Look super pucker too.
Replace both radiator bobbins which are nothing more than exhaust bobbins (Mini) I think!
Good to know about the horn, that makes me feel better that nothing was damaged out on the road. I'll look into sourcing the silicone hose kit.Usually you will see 5 small holes inline where the splitter would once have been if fitted.
Hoses are Tvr specific so I’d buy the Powers Performance complete set of silicone ones which on my car after 8 or 9 years are still like new and you can be done with it.
Look super pucker too.
Replace both radiator bobbins which are nothing more than exhaust bobbins (Mini) I think!
Re: everyone else's comments about the coolant type, it is definitely pink but I'm not sure exactly what type/or spec was used, I'll add a coolant flush to my list after I get the leak repaired.
There is a Pink/red antifreeze "ForLife" that is basically Glycol based but lasts for 10 years. It has a much higher boiling point than ordinary Glycol and will change colour if the head gasket fails. It is recommended for Classic/Vintage cars. Having used it in two vehicles one for over 10 years I found it fine.
It is rather more expensive though than ordinary Glycol but lasting 10 years works out cheaper overall.
https://4lifecoolant.co.uk/
It is rather more expensive though than ordinary Glycol but lasting 10 years works out cheaper overall.
https://4lifecoolant.co.uk/
te now Sir Paolo said:
Oldred_V8S said:
Pink residue?
Has someone filled it with OAT coolant?
These old engines should be using Glycol (Blue) coolant!
Isn’t that what I said Has someone filled it with OAT coolant?
These old engines should be using Glycol (Blue) coolant!
So when i changed the radiator in May 2018 thats what went into the Chim.
What came out was pink. No idea how long it had been in, its what came with the car.
Its been running fine & under 90 deg when on the move.
This was not due a change untill 2023. So do i leave or do i have to change ASAP.
PITA flushing the whole system.
The 4life aka 10 years looks like a good option but thats pink. Time to add a sticker to the system if i get it.
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