Another HGF question!

[tpp_uk]

I'm not sure I particularly want to know the answer to this question if it is HGF, but bear with me . . For the past two days on shortish journeys (<20 miles) the elise (s1) has been juddering intermittently in 1st and 2nd as if being bunny hopped by a learner - At first I thought a batch of dodgy fuel, but on closer inspection this evening I discovered she was completly out of coolant - I keep a close eye on this, and it was fine the other evening. Filled it back up and went for a short drive to see what was what - The temperature was the usual steady 78, there is no MIL, the oil is fine (no mayo) and everything else was fine - The only problem being that after about 2-3 miles I had to put another half a litre of water in. Please tell me I'm lucky and just have a split pipe somewhere, or could this be consistent with HGF?? Thanks in advance!

[dunxS1]

I'm sure there are lots of experts re- hgf on here but when mine was losing coolant
it was just a faulty resovior cap- apparently a known weak point.Make sure it's not blowing it out
of expansion tank, though i'm sure you would have noticed any signs.
Hope it's nowt serious!
Dunx.

[SeanyD]

I'm no expert but the one time I suffered HGF, the coolant reservoir had a scummy mix of oil/water/froth at the bottom.

Yours doesn't sound that 'dirty' so maybe it is just a coolant leak or something.

[Xracer]

Check for leaks on cap, also check aluminium coolant pipes down back of engine have not rubbed through on each other or a hoseclip. HTH
Ian
JPS

[tpp_uk]

It's strange, but have checked everything, and can't seems to find anything wrong - The coolant cap is fine, and the engine bay isn't wet, although I can't get a proper look at the inside of the undertray. One thing that struck me about the poor running was that a hurricane induction was fitted about 18+ months ago, and I'm not sure it has ever been cleaned - Could this be the poor running in 1st and 2nd (low speed) issue??

Edited by tpp_uk on Tuesday 22 July 18:20

[Gad-Westy]

tpp_uk said:

It's strange, but have checked everything, and can seems to find anything wrong - The coolant cap is fine, and the engine bay isn't wet, although I can't get a proper look at the inside of the undertray. One thing that struck me about the poor running was that a hurricane induction was fitted about 18+ months ago, and I'm not sure it has ever been cleaned - Could this be the poor running in 1st and 2nd (low speed) issue??

Poor running could be just about anything I'm afraid but I wouldn't worry too much about HGF just yet as that's only one possible scenario of many. Do the checks others have mentioned but also check around the radiator and pipes at the front of the car for leaks. For the amount they cost, I think I'd get a new expansion cap as well just to be sure. When mine was leaking coolant, it was going via the expansion cap but there was no obvious sign to tell me this, I just took a guess. The other thing to check is the area around the water pump as these have been known to leak.

[djroadboy]

I would say if its using water and its running rough its more likely to be a inlet manifold gasket than a leak from a pipe.

Take the plugs out and check for white deposits on No.1 or No.4

HTH

Dan (formerly of JPS)