Coolent Loss / Leak Testing The Radiator + Cooling System ?

Memphis · February 13, 2007

Guys,

A friend of mine complains that her car loses coolant. She uses water and apparently has to top-up quite often. The thing is, according to her, the water level decrease is pretty un-predictable. In some occasions the level stays the same after a trip and on others it goes down from a few notches to almost empty.

a.) What's going on here?

b.) Is this because of using water instead of coolant?

c.) Is the car due for a leak test? If so where can one get it done?

Over to you experts...

Edited February 13, 2007 by Memphis

nira74 · February 13, 2007

Memphis said:

Guys,

A friend of mine complains that her car loses coolant. She uses water and apparently has to top-up quite often. The thing is, according to her, the water level decrease is pretty un-predictable. In some occasions the level stays the same after a trip and on others it goes down from a few notches to almost empty.

a.) What's going on here?

b.) Is this because of using water instead of coolant?

c.) Is the car due for a leak test? If so where can one get it done?

Over to you experts...

Most Likely a leak, but could also be caused by the car overheating due to some other reason such as

1. Radiator and/or A/C Fan Not working

2. Incorrect ignition timing.

3. Blocked cooling system (check thermostat etc..)

VVTi · February 13, 2007

Memphis said:

Guys,

A friend of mine complains that her car loses coolant. She uses water and apparently has to top-up quite often. The thing is, according to her, the water level decrease is pretty un-predictable. In some occasions the level stays the same after a trip and on others it goes down from a few notches to almost empty.

a.) What's going on here?

b.) Is this because of using water instead of coolant?

c.) Is the car due for a leak test? If so where can one get it done?

Over to you experts...

a) Definitely a leak somewhere.

Water may have had a part as hot water is very corrosive and perhaps have corroded part of the jacket.

c) Get a leak test done. Careful when you do it when the engine is hot. As if a pipe burst it might hurt you bad. Best get it checked at a garage. Check the pipes, blocked radiator, loose hose clips, etc etc.

oshad · February 13, 2007

Im guessing it should be the waterpump. When the waterpump seal wears out water starts leaking out, a bit initially then it gets worse. run the engine for some time and then stop it and have a look under from the sides.. if its da water oump should see water leaking out onto the floor as soon as u cut the engine.. No point checking when the engine is running coz the water circulation make the water not drip down as much so u can see.. jst have a go..

Memphis · February 13, 2007

oshad said:

Im guessing it should be the waterpump. When the waterpump seal wears out water starts leaking out, a bit initially then it gets worse. run the engine for some time and then stop it and have a look under from the sides.. if its da water oump should see water leaking out onto the floor as soon as u cut the engine.. No point checking when the engine is running coz the water circulation make the water not drip down as much so u can see.. jst have a go..

I did check under the engine. Not the water pump per-se, but general check. Apart from the AC outlet, there were no apparent leaks.

Are there specific places to do leak tests or will any good garage be able to do it?

ash · February 13, 2007

Memphis said:

Guys,

A friend of mine complains that her car loses coolant. She uses water and apparently has to top-up quite often. The thing is, according to her, the water level decrease is pretty un-predictable. In some occasions the level stays the same after a trip and on others it goes down from a few notches to almost empty.

a.) What's going on here?

b.) Is this because of using water instead of coolant?

c.) Is the car due for a leak test? If so where can one get it done?

Over to you experts...

I don't think it's because using water instead coolant. Defienetly has to something to do with overheating. Check the gasket. Let the engine run with the radiator cap open and check for any boiling or bubbling in the water, rev the engine a bit and you can see properly. Better get it checked soon. If it overheats and if you run with an empty radiator.... ur done...

oshad · February 13, 2007

Memphis said:

I did check under the engine. Not the water pump per-se, but general check. Apart from the AC outlet, there were no apparent leaks.

Are there specific places to do leak tests or will any good garage be able to do it?

Did u check under the enfine after running the engine and then cutting it off?? coz if uts da water pump it might not leak after sometime the engine is switched off..

Ya regarding da checks u garage can do it too.. but better if u can go to a specialist radiator joint... hey try changing the radiator cap.. dat causes this too when its spring tension is gone.. it is da culprit most of da time especially if da reservour water level is not reducing anda da water level in da main radiator reducing!!!

Memphis · February 13, 2007

oshad said:

Ya regarding da checks u garage can do it too.. but better if u can go to a specialist radiator joint...

Any suggestions for a place ? and cost and time to be involved ?

Devinda_Z · February 13, 2007

Radiat*r H*use -i belive they do servicing - somewhere towards Maradana - near é film hall - i cant remeber é specifics machan....

Memphis · February 13, 2007

Devinda_Z said:

Radiat*r H*use -i belive they do servicing - somewhere towards Maradana - near é film hall - i cant remeber é specifics machan....

Thanks machan...

neXGen · February 13, 2007

I am having a similiar problem.. waters dripping once the car stops it seems right at the front a little towards the centre from the left front tyre.. it got me a bit worried as I was driving a bit recklessly on me last trip and the roads were not so merciful either..

Zz

Devinda_Z · February 13, 2007

neXGen said:

I am having a similiar problem.. waters dripping once the car stops it seems right at the front a little towards the centre from the left front tyre.. it got me a bit worried as I was driving a bit recklessly on me last trip and the roads were not so merciful either..

Zz

probabaly just AC water bro

but if é piping doesnt go through on é left but on é right n resvoir is also on that side so it probabaly isnt anything too bit - but keep monitoring ur fluid levels for abnormalities...or else u coould be in for a nasty surprise..

ash · February 14, 2007

Devinda_Z said:

Radiat*r H*use -i belive they do servicing - somewhere towards Maradana - near é film hall - i cant remeber é specifics machan....

in darley rd... right hand side when ur driving towards Maradana. but before the film hall....

neXGen · February 14, 2007

Devinda_Z said:

probabaly just AC water bro

but if é piping doesnt go through on é left but on é right n resvoir is also on that side so it probabaly isnt anything too bit - but keep monitoring ur fluid levels for abnormalities...or else u coould be in for a nasty surprise..

but that occurs once the A/C is switched on yeah.. i didnt use ma A/C at all as a matter of fact.. could evaporated water condensed and drip beneath da car?

Zz

Memphis · February 14, 2007

neXGen said:

but that occurs once the A/C is switched on yeah.. i didnt use ma A/C at all as a matter of fact.. could evaporated water condensed and drip beneath da car?

Zz

Yours sounds like a definite leak bro. The thing with my friends car is, I did all the checks but can't see any apparent leaks. But coolant is consumed nevertheless.

- I checked under the engine after running the car for a while

- Checked the exhaust for white smoke indicating water getting in to the engine

- Checked the oil for any water resedue

- Checked the radiator cap. The cap looks new

- I even checked whether the fans are working as they are supposed to

But the damn thing is using up coolant on the sly. Probably a leak test would give an answer. Will take it to a radiator guy this weekend.

neXGen · February 14, 2007

Memphis said:

Yours sounds like a definite leak bro. The thing with my friends car is, I did all the checks but can't see any apparent leaks. But coolant is consumed nevertheless.

- I checked under the engine after running the car for a while

- Checked the exhaust for white smoke indicating water getting in to the engine

- Checked the oil for any water resedue

- Checked the radiator cap. The cap looks new

- I even checked whether the fans are working as they are supposed to

But the damn thing is using up coolant on the sly. Probably a leak test would give an answer. Will take it to a radiator guy this weekend.

Radiator cap in the sense is cap which outta be removed to pour in water ? there is some oxide residue but nothing alarming and the water level does drop a bit but not to alarming levels.. this leak got me a bit worried as I noticed a small welded part right beneath the passenger seat legroom torn inwards due to a bump etc.. so i ll be def needing to check up o dat..

Zz

Devinda_Z · February 14, 2007

what on earth did u do to dent your foot well!!!!???????

s spot of rallying perhaps??

if u dented that then theres a very real possibity that u may have spliced a hose or somethin...

neXGen · February 14, 2007

Devinda_Z said:

what on earth did u do to dent your foot well!!!!???????

s spot of rallying perhaps??

if u dented that then theres a very real possibity that u may have spliced a hose or somethin...

believe me i ve got no idea was drivin towards kandy at night n the headlights were not doing a proper job so i had a few rough encounters with large potholes n bumps.. and as par the tyre/rim thread.. my shocks r in a mess.. so there would ve been no way to escape such damage

i did check bro.. the hoses r intact and it has torn inwards from the part it was welded.. these hoses/thick wires are mettalic.. so when water started dripping it got me a lil nervous.. i kept o checkin da temp to see whether derez any overheating.. none.. check the radiator for water loss.. nope..

i ll be taking a few pics hopefully today o the damage 2 get it across to porkster.. i ll mail ya dem too...

Zz

Edited February 14, 2007 by neXGen