chris_uk
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Registered: 8th Jul 03
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have been having a problem of late which involved me driving for about 30 mins and then having to re-fil the expansion tank with water as there is nothing left, so ive been doing this for a while and today i decided it have a look and see what was wrong.
i started with an idea that it was the top hose as i had a problem before where the belt rubbed a hole in the hose and it was leaking, but it was a bit faster that time.
i filled the expansion tank up and let it run up to pressure and the level stayed constant, put the lid on and the water started to drop (as expected) but it would drop so far the indicator light would come on.
i released the cap slowly and the water lever rose again back to where it was before..
i did the same again but while the water was low and under pressure i pumped the top hose and then i was able to open the expansion tank without the water level rising.. BUT.. there where no drips of any sort anywhere to be found.. and by this time i must of used 4 litres of water which has jsut vanished.
ive said before that i think my radiator was dying so i got some pics, but everything seemed dry etc
i have some vids and pics but ill have to wait for itunes to finish updating.
[Edited on 03-10-2010 by chris_uk]
[Edited on 07-10-2010 by chris_uk]
[Edited on 07-10-2010 by chris_uk]
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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Where was the leak coming from this time?
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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the leak before was coming from the top hose which split, now there is a metal pipe there instead and there isnt a leak, not that i can see.
[Edited on 26-09-2010 by chris_uk]
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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That sounds like headgasket issues then mate, but I can't see it taking 4 litres. Unless it's leaking from the waterpump behind a cover?
edit, even at that, no drips on the ground at all? Pretty wierd
[Edited on 26-09-2010 by alan-g-w]
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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if it is headgasket, there would be a nasty sludge in the oil wouldnt there?
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Cole
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Registered: 11th Nov 02
Location: eastbourne Drives:zafira sold now a qashqai
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not always
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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well ive just looked at the oil on the dipstick and the cap and its lovely golden brown
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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here are pics of the radiator
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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Any chance that the water's boiling over and you're losing it that way? You've clearly got a leak no mater what, park it on a dry bit of ground and make sure that any undertrays that could catch water are removed. Fill the expansion tank, let it run up to temperature (or even better fit a pressure testing kit if you have one, keeps things cool but also lets you identify leaks) and look for any water underneath. If you're putting 4L of water in it and losing it there's something terribly wrong.
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Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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looking at the wrong side of the rad
dont forget the pipes running front to back
you want to get a proper pressure tester on there, and a sniffer test - but at that rate id expect a visual leak or if h/g alot of white smoke out of the exhaust
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chris_uk
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Registered: 8th Jul 03
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yea my next idea was remove the undertrays
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chris_uk
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Registered: 8th Jul 03
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quote:
Originally posted by Warren G
looking at the wrong side of the rad
dont forget the pipes running front to back
you want to get a proper pressure tester on there, and a sniffer test - but at that rate id expect a visual leak or if h/g alot of white smoke out of the exhaust
no smoke or anything.
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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i think im just goint to have to bite the bullet and whip the front clam off.. GRR!
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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here is a video (when its finished) of the header tank having a paddy, all i did was leave it at normal level with the cap on and left it to get up to temp..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo2cgiKAK04
(i love the HD video from the iphone 4!)
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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Mate there's water pissing out the header tank cap, new cap needed. Look at the amount of water leaking, thought you said there were no visible leaks 
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Jake
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Registered: 24th Jan 05
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quote:
Originally posted by alan-g-w
Mate there's water pissing out the header tank cap, new cap needed. Look at the amount of water leaking, thought you said there were no visible leaks
i thought he was aware of that
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Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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you do know you shouldnt fill it to the top?!!?
hot water rasies, prob thermosate opening
[Edited on 26-09-2010 by Warren G]
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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I thought it was just boiling up Warren? Causing it to seem like it's full?
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chris_uk
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Registered: 8th Jul 03
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no i know you shouldnt fill it up, in that video it was half empty...
and its not leaking from the cap as the cap was semi off at the time.
ive just put a new cap on tho and its currently getting up to temp.
ill report back in a bit
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
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What you should do Is fill it to the normal level and move the car to a dry bit of ground, keep the engine running and the leak should be pretty obvious.
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Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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yes and dont open the cap!
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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ive put a new cap on and its come up to 91-92 degs and the water level stayed the same...
i opened the cap abit and the water rose but with the cap back on tight its slowly returning to its original position
[Edited on 26-09-2010 by chris_uk]
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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So it was a faulty cap?
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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seems so...
only way to really tell is get in and drive it..
but i cant be arsed atm.. anyone wanna do it for me ! lol
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Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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hi, pick me pick me!
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