Help please, gutted - T350c loss of water and cap!
Discussion
Having had the first dry day up here for a long time, took my P&J out for a spin to get things moving again. Whilst out, all temps fine. However, as pulling into driveway, see steam starting to pour out of bonnet. Engine running open bonnet to see that no blue cap on expansion/overflow tank (at right hand side of bay next to airbox) and water gurgling out like a geyser! Then notice trail of water on the road leading to house.
Now prior to putting away, I had topped up the levels so that there was a minimal amount in this tank. Previously there was no water in here when checking levels - I know if it's not broken and all that... So either I have not put cap back on or its blown, knowing me it is the latter as I check things fastidiously.
Apart from ordering new cap, I'll have to re-fill at main/prime neck at front of bay - manual says 50:50 water to coolant, agree? First question is - can anybody recommend a particular make/grade of coolant to use. Second question is - what should I fill it up to? Now know to forget any presence/level in the expansion tank (the one that currently has no cap) but how far to fill on the main/prime filler neck right at front of bay?
Guys - any help really appreciated!
Now prior to putting away, I had topped up the levels so that there was a minimal amount in this tank. Previously there was no water in here when checking levels - I know if it's not broken and all that... So either I have not put cap back on or its blown, knowing me it is the latter as I check things fastidiously.
Apart from ordering new cap, I'll have to re-fill at main/prime neck at front of bay - manual says 50:50 water to coolant, agree? First question is - can anybody recommend a particular make/grade of coolant to use. Second question is - what should I fill it up to? Now know to forget any presence/level in the expansion tank (the one that currently has no cap) but how far to fill on the main/prime filler neck right at front of bay?
Guys - any help really appreciated!
Edited by cammy71 on Sunday 16th January 17:33
Coolant as manual good for me (Carplan Bluestar). Always mix prior to filling expansion tank 50:50. (Watering can with length of hose tapped on.)
Level for me always around an inch below neck of tank.
(Remember the wooden spoon - Wilkos best)
Always told that any excess just gets spat out.
When checked following day level has always fallen by around 2 inches.
Been runing all through winter from around -8 degrees and no issues.
For me cap seals can get compressed over time and have had very small amounts of steam. Solved with extra pressure on closing cap.
To ease worries think you may have forgotten to afix cap. Don't get too fixated with the manual and all you hear. STR6 for me very reliable with very little usage of either coolant or oil - but keep checking!
Level for me always around an inch below neck of tank.
(Remember the wooden spoon - Wilkos best)
Always told that any excess just gets spat out.
When checked following day level has always fallen by around 2 inches.
Been runing all through winter from around -8 degrees and no issues.
For me cap seals can get compressed over time and have had very small amounts of steam. Solved with extra pressure on closing cap.
To ease worries think you may have forgotten to afix cap. Don't get too fixated with the manual and all you hear. STR6 for me very reliable with very little usage of either coolant or oil - but keep checking!
Depending on how much water you have lost you will now have air in the engine which can get trapped. If you don't know what you are doing don't just top up and drive off as you could blow the engine up very easily if you get a large air lock.
Best bet would be to get to a garage get them to drian it all out and top up with fresh 50/50 and bleed the system.
and obviously buy a new cap. (From a VW)
Best bet would be to get to a garage get them to drian it all out and top up with fresh 50/50 and bleed the system.
and obviously buy a new cap. (From a VW)
If there was even the slighest chance of me blowing my baby up I would check up on the problem. Barrys advice should be heeded. For me Richard at TrackVRoad, Clitheroe would be my first call. 08450945350. (Place of purchase for current dream.) Following call previous advice is valid. Please remember that each car is an individual. Love, Save, Buy, Love, Learn, Love, Spend, Still love.
Thought I would see if I could get a measure. Found the 'lost cap' sitting on top of the engine! So either it was loose and worked free or I'm an early nomination for fa**y of the year and hadn't actually put it back on.
Inserted wooden spoon and had water on bottom 1.5-2" of handle c5-6 inches below cap. So I have lost water, but is it enough to still have it checked out? I will be safer rather than sorry, as car is due a service at end of March as 1 year after purchase.
Inserted wooden spoon and had water on bottom 1.5-2" of handle c5-6 inches below cap. So I have lost water, but is it enough to still have it checked out? I will be safer rather than sorry, as car is due a service at end of March as 1 year after purchase.
cammy71 said:
Thought I would see if I could get a measure. Found the 'lost cap' sitting on top of the engine! So either it was loose and worked free or I'm an early nomination for fa**y of the year and hadn't actually put it back on.
Ooops.cammy71 said:
Inserted wooden spoon and had water on bottom 1.5-2" of handle c5-6 inches below cap. So I have lost water, but is it enough to still have it checked out? I will be safer rather than sorry, as car is due a service at end of March as 1 year after purchase.
Sounds about the right level. Doesn't mean you shoudn't check it out.Shaved Chimp said:
Coolant as manual good for me (Carplan Bluestar). Always mix prior to filling expansion tank 50:50. (Watering can with length of hose tapped on.)
Level for me always around an inch below neck of tank.
(Remember the wooden spoon - Wilkos best)
Always told that any excess just gets spat out.
When checked following day level has always fallen by around 2 inches.
Been runing all through winter from around -8 degrees and no issues.
For me cap seals can get compressed over time and have had very small amounts of steam. Solved with extra pressure on closing cap.
To ease worries think you may have forgotten to afix cap. Don't get too fixated with the manual and all you hear. STR6 for me very reliable with very little usage of either coolant or oil - but keep checking!
Sounds like you are always overfilling by about 2 inches. Level for me always around an inch below neck of tank.
(Remember the wooden spoon - Wilkos best)
Always told that any excess just gets spat out.
When checked following day level has always fallen by around 2 inches.
Been runing all through winter from around -8 degrees and no issues.
For me cap seals can get compressed over time and have had very small amounts of steam. Solved with extra pressure on closing cap.
To ease worries think you may have forgotten to afix cap. Don't get too fixated with the manual and all you hear. STR6 for me very reliable with very little usage of either coolant or oil - but keep checking!
I used to do the same, but it is a closed system and doesn't need to spit any excess out. Mine uses no coolant now, unless it is seriously hot.
Mines the same as Mr Badgers - doesn't use a drop of coolant. However, I have (several times in fact) checked the coolant before setting off and forgotten to screw the cap on, usually noticed driving slowly through town only to see a done of very ambarrasing steam coming out the bonnet. I now ensure I rest the cap on the bonnet catch plate, that way I can't shut the bonnet without putting the cap back.
Not wanting to confuse things but the only place I'm putting water / coolant mixture is the alloy swirl pot at the front of the motor with the twist on cap, checking with the trusty wooden spoon, never needs any to be fair.
No expansion tank on mine, just a plastic bottle for the windscreen washers and the only thing to take liquids near my airbox is the power steering reservoir!
Just a thought on your last post about filling up 2 locations, that said, mines had work up front so may be different.
No expansion tank on mine, just a plastic bottle for the windscreen washers and the only thing to take liquids near my airbox is the power steering reservoir!
Just a thought on your last post about filling up 2 locations, that said, mines had work up front so may be different.
PIW19 said:
Thats Ok then, cheers Tref.
Not entirely sure of the point as it never uses any water, but as my oil burning Audi company bus has one I'm sure it's sound reasoning as they never get anything wrong, until snow arrives and it can't move
Tyres Pete, tyres. Our Golf GTi has been unstoppable on the right rubber this winter. Last winter I couldn't get it up my road.Not entirely sure of the point as it never uses any water, but as my oil burning Audi company bus has one I'm sure it's sound reasoning as they never get anything wrong, until snow arrives and it can't move
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