Coolant Loss - how to test ?

[mgaut]

quick question: if I can find a local garage open can they somehow test the cooling system for leaks ?

I'm losing about a mug of water every run, and having warmed it up yesterday I think there is a bit of steam coming off the very bottom drivers-side, and there is a bit of water underneath that corner on the fiberglass "shelf".

many thanks

Mike

[Cider Andy]

A decently-equipped garage should be able to pressurize the system to check for leaks.

[mgaut]

Cider Andy said:

A decently-equipped garage should be able to pressurize the system to check for leaks.

thanks Andy; didn't know that. Will get on the 'phone to find someone open !!

[spend]

Didn't Steve Heaths Pubs sell a pressure tester?

Dave

[mgaut]

spend said:

Didn't Steve Heaths Pubs sell a pressure tester?

yep. Given that nobody local to me can test an RV8 I think I might invest in one of those.

cheers Dave

Mike

[benventura]

Hi, you can get a gizmo from Steve Heath - it's a valve that screws into the swirlpot - just connect it up to a tyre foot pump and you can cold pressure test the system.

Worked brilliantly for me - discovered the leak was from the hose to the water pump when under pressure - it just kept evaporating when the engine was hot so I could never spot where it was.

Well worth getting one - not sure where you are but if you're anywhere near Oxford I'd be happy to lend you mine if it helps.

All best,
Neville

[Dave 500]

I've got one over Bracknell/Maidenhead area if that helps.

[mgaut]

Dave 500 said:

I've got one over Bracknell/Maidenhead area if that helps.

that's very kind, but I think Steve's device only fits the later swirl pots ?

benventura said:

...but if you're anywhere near Oxford I'd be happy to lend you mine if it helps.

thanks Neville; another kind offer but if it will fit a pre-Serp then Dave's local to me; cheers

Edited by mgaut on Friday 28th December 09:50

[Dave 500]

mgaut said:

that's very kind, but I think Steve's device only fits the later swirl pots ?

It does go on the swirl pot I didn't know there were diferent types of swirl pots

[over_the_hill]

If you go to a garage you may be better off trying to find one that specialises in VW as they will be more likely to have the correct pressuer cap. The caps come in a multitude of sizes to match a multitude of cars and no garage can aford to keep a full set.