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coolant loss
https://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=10297		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Pastry [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  coolant loss
over about 5000 miles/a year my car has gone from max to min coolant in the tank. its such a slow leak i cant find any evidence of wetness round the hoses, radiator or engine; its not blowing steam once its warmed up. I guess it gould be anything but if anyones had a similar experience and can shed light on a potential source i'd appreciate it. cars on 75400 miles, on its original head gasket (one suspect) and its 2nd waterpump (replaced at 36k) - when it had its belts done at motortune peter didn't recommended replacing the pump when i asked if it needed it.

I had a rover that used coolant slowly and i kept topping it up; was fine for about 4 years /15k miles before it started using a lot more and eventually found out it was the HG (k-series cliche). I've read a few threads regarding replacing the HG as a scheduled maintenance so wonder if its worth getting it done, and if anyones had it done recently what sort of cost will i be looking at?

cheers
Author:  Lee 944 [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Could just be the radiator cap? I think they're only £15 out of OPC? I'd replace that before I replaced the head gasket.

BTW, are you coming to the start of the Monte Carlo rally, leaving Blythswood Square hotel, on Thursday night?
Author:  tr7v8 [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Min weeps coolant like this & always has done, despite a new cap. I do find running the "normal" level at the min mark rather than the max does reduce the rate of loss slightly.
Author:  Richy_S [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
I have had this on 2 Porsches - the first was the waterpump which developed in to a drip and on my current car it turned out to be a bit of corrosion build up under a water hose. This was only found by doing a pressure test.

If you take it to a garage they should be able to check the headgasket by testing for gases in the coolant easy enough with a "sniffer" - takes 10 mins or so.

Rich
Author:  Pastry [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Lee 944 wrote:
Could just be the radiator cap? I think they're only £15 out of OPC? I'd replace that before I replaced the head gasket.

BTW, are you coming to the start of the Monte Carlo rally, leaving Blythswood Square hotel, on Thursday night?


I had no idea about the rally, but both me and the OH are pretty keen to check it out. Found some info here; http://www2.seeglasgow.com/montecarlo/? ... onte-start - is there anything organised or is it just a case of turning up?

Funny i dont really envy them setting off in the tail end of rush hour into the dark and probably foggy night :o
Author:  Lee 944 [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Pastry wrote:
Lee 944 wrote:
Could just be the radiator cap? I think they're only £15 out of OPC? I'd replace that before I replaced the head gasket.

BTW, are you coming to the start of the Monte Carlo rally, leaving Blythswood Square hotel, on Thursday night?


I had no idea about the rally, but both me and the OH are pretty keen to check it out. Found some info here; http://www2.seeglasgow.com/montecarlo/? ... onte-start - is there anything organised or is it just a case of turning up?

Funny i dont really envy them setting off in the tail end of rush hour into the dark and probably foggy night :o

I looks like just turn up and all free. Cars leaving at half six, so time after work for a look about. The cars will be in George Square until about four, before going up to the start line. Looks like a good evening if the weather stays nice. A couple of us are planning to go, if you fancy it let me know.

Sorry for taking your thread off topic.
Author:  Richclarkes2 [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Hi, I have the same thing, but i've learned to live with it, i just need to top it up once a month. Every now and again i'll get a little puddle but as the warm engine dries up the evidence i cant really tell where its coming from 100% i do suspect the water pump though as the puddles are around that area and theres a slightly chalky residue around it. but as i said, i'll just keep topping it up for now until i've REALLY got to fix it. Got a wheel bearing to do first which is far more annoying!
Rich
Author:  ben944 [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Hi,

My understanding was the coolant level should be filled to the min level with the engine cold. Apparently this is to allow for expansion once the coolant heats up.

I've also been told that by filling it to max when cold just causes it to go out of the overflow - at least thats how it was on my S2.

Anyone else found this?

Ben :bounce:
Author:  Pastry [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
thats what I was telling myself, more hopefully than with any certainty, but seems it gradually sank over the year rather than blowing out excess and settling. it did seem to sit about an inch above minimum for a while and slow down but its gone lower since... i think, might take to marking the level like when soemones robbing your booze ;)

anyway its going for its MOT today at Motortune and i've asked if they'll have a look, good to know its a common thing; the golf has sat rock steady for 4 years and after the rover issue it was becoming one of those things that nagged every time I opened the bonnet. cheers for all the replies, beats the 'other forum' where I got a grand total of nil.

@Lee re; the Monte Carlo start - PM'd you, I'm probably going to show up at some point but don't know exactly when. Going to meet OH from work and possibly another semi-petrolhead might tag along.
Author:  ben944 [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Pastry wrote:
cheers for all the replies, beats the 'other forum' where I got a grand total of nil.


If it's any consolation Pastry, my rad was leaking for some time but I didn't really notice any loss of coolant. Just always hanging around the min mark.

It wasn't until I took it in for a new starter motor that Steve @ Carlton Porsche picked up on the leak.

As for the replies, you can't beat TIPEC. I've said it before and I'll say it again "The wealth of knowledge on this forum is worth the membership fee alone".

Ben :bounce:
Author:  Lee 944 [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Pastry wrote:
@Lee re; the Monte Carlo start - PM'd you, I'm probably going to show up at some point but don't know exactly when.

PM'd back, I'll see you there. It does look like fun.
Author:  lindsayhbrown [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
My old 944S always sat at the max on the expansion tank, never moved in 6 years
Author:  Pastry [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Well it passed its MOT, Motortune pressure tested the coolant and found a (very) small leak form one of the rad hoses and tightened it up, so i'll keep an eye on it. They also refilled the coolant tank. Result! :)
Author:  Lee 944 [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Great result, now you don't need to worry about it until next year. I hope the summer is good this year, although my 944 has no air con. I'm sure Peter fixed the leak.
Author:  lindsayhbrown [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: coolant loss
Good news on the MOT, and hopefully the leak is cured
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