Engine Using Water?

[DaveFuk]

Hi All
My X has started to use water, and i cant tell if its a leak externally or something like the head gasket, can we shed some light on it.

The symptom are as follows.
When engine is cold the radiator is full and no air present (heater turned on)

Start the engine and run, nearly to temp and then the radiator blows water into the expansion bottle.

once up to normal temperature there is no overheating
no steam from exhaust
no change in water levels etc until you stop again then it does it again?

I can do Lancashire to Cornwall (400 miles) no change in water level after the first dump of water.


Any ideas Boys and Girls

 

[Howard]

Could just be the thermostat is sticking.

 

[FERRET EXPLORER]

Take the oil filler cap off if you you have a milky looking residue in there most likely the head gasket,but if there is no steam out of the exhaust like you say then it might not be,i tend to agree with Howard it might be the thermostat sticking. Andy

 

[BrooklynBay]

If your engine is not overheating, and you are losing coolant to the overfill tank, then it is possible that your radiator cap is defective.

 

[shytot4x4]

Good luck finding a thermostat in the UK...

Simon H

 

[DaveFuk]

Hi folk sorry pounding the motorway again

There is no sign of oil in the water container or milky type deposits on the fill cap etc.

changed oil the otherday to see what i could see and nothing ( no lumps, not cloudy) oil looked used and dark but normal for oil that has done 6K

oil in gear box looks normal?

I cant see it being the rad cap as it would doit all the time ? would't it?

might be the stat opening late?

Any other ideas lads and lasses?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Radiator caps have pressure ratings (13, or 16 LBs), so they wouldn't vent right away. If the cap is defective (ripped gasket, cracked internally, bad spring action, etc.) then it might seep like a dripping faucet. It wouldn't lose everything right away, but it could over a period of time depending upon the amount of leakage.

 

[shamaal]

My $.02

1. BB's radiator cap was my first guess. I never understood exactly how it works but water that goes into the overflow tank should be withdrawn back into the radiator when the car cools.
2. The radiators are crimped on the side. My second one had a bad crimp that would leak when cold then seal up when hot. A radiator pressure test when cold may detect.
3. Leaking head gaskets don't always translate into visible steam. A simple cylinder pressure test may help diagnose.

There is a fluorescent dye for coolant that may aid in pinpointing the leak.

Good Luck

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could try to use a special tool to pressurize the system. Here is my review on it: http://www.explorerforum.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/231/sort/2/cat/3/page/1

 

[old mechanic]

Hi All
My X has started to use water, and i cant tell if its a leak externally or something like the head gasket, can we shed some light on it.

The symptom are as follows.
When engine is cold the radiator is full and no air present (heater turned on)

Start the engine and run, nearly to temp and then the radiator blows water into the expansion bottle.

once up to normal temperature there is no overheating
no steam from exhaust
no change in water levels etc until you stop again then it does it again?

I can do Lancashire to Cornwall (400 miles) no change in water level after the first dump of water.


Any ideas Boys and Girls

--------------------
So, it only does this when you first start it. Something is making it do that only on start and warm up. I don't think so.
I'll bet it still does this when driving the 400 miles but it is sucking it back in while driving.
Let it idle long enough to see if it goes in and out of the expansion bottle. If so then I would agree with the others and say its the R-Cap or thermostat.
Do not doubt anything. My first try would be the R-Cap.