AAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH.
"For how long?", I ask. "Don't know, just noticed it when I switched the engine off", she replies, more concerned if her new T shirt will look good with whatever!!!!!!!!!
Run outside, pop the lid, give the rad cap a twist or two to release the pressure, and when the hissing and rumbling stops remove cap and peer down an EMPTY rad. "Oh, b*ll*cks, why does this always happen when you can't do much about it." No parts dealers open etc.etc.
Sunday morning nip to local 'Open on a Sunday so you GOT to pay our prices' place and pick up a thermo, just in case.
Back to the beemer and check all hoses, drive belt etc. and check for mayo. All appears fine.
1.Put 1ltr water in rad and start up; under 5 mins before the needle is trying to leave the dashboard.
2.Leave to cool.
3.Repeat step 1.
Same result.
4. Repeat steps 2&3.
Same result.
5. Repeat steps 2&3 again.
Needle seems to be getting tired, cos it can't quite reach the RED zone.
6.Repeat steps 2&3 AGAIN.
Still reads normal after 15 mins idle. Problem solved.
Thing is the water escaped somewhere so the exit route still needs to be found.
Retire to lounge for cuppa and a fag and try logical/lateral thinking approach. ie. Water escapes so must be a hole for it to go thru. Not coming out of exhaust, not out of head (Thank God! & Jesus 325), hoses OK, no drips from rad or water pump. Long, blank brain moment ensues so go out to the motor, start her up and do what professional mechanics do - Lean over wing, stare hard, rub chin, and try to work out how much I'm going to get stung for finding the fault. Engine is warming up again so I grab the top hose to check the thermo is definitely opening and get a scalded finger!!!!!!!!!!
There was a tiny split starting at the bottom of the hose where it joins the head, just behind the clip. Over a week, since I last checked the level a small amount of water in the form of steam had been blowing out and as the fan was always running when I was fault finding the steam was being blown away, so I didn't see it.
So if you have a leak you can't find, remember hoses are round, so check all round!!!!!!!!
