Coolant leak

[adamS]

My 2.7 touring has been spitting all its coolant out recently.

Strangely its coming out of the expansion tank. There are two pipes. One goes to the radiator and the other disappears into the inner wing. Its this one that is leaking all the coolant out. I know its an open ended pipe, so is it a breather or overflow? Does this mean there is a blockage in the pipework somewhere?

thanks,
Adam

[GDBN]

That's the overflow.
Sounds like the system is overpressurising ... symptoms of a head gasket problem I think.

G

[adamS]

So you reckon I should check the Coolant for Hydrocarbons?

[charlE30]

My 2.7 touring has been spitting all its coolant out recently.

Strangely its coming out of the expansion tank. There are two pipes. One goes to the radiator and the other disappears into the inner wing. Its this one that is leaking all the coolant out. I know its an open ended pipe, so is it a breather or overflow? Does this mean there is a blockage in the pipework somewhere?

thanks,
Adam

Mines been doing the same

That's the overflow.
Sounds like the system is overpressurising ... symptoms of a head gasket problem I think.

G

[adamS]

Well i'm no expert but HG failure seems a plausible reason.

How else can that much air get in the system?

[adamS]

Any more ideas?

When the car is hot and the coolant is pissing out I tried opening the Stat bleed nipple and only steam came out.

Could there be a blockage somewhere? I thought about sequentially pulling all the hoses off to see if the coolant is actually flowing. Good idea?

From there all I can think is pull the head off and have a look

[beardymat]

hi adam

have you tried a new thermostat yet?

like i said to you yesterday, the head was skimmed and pressure tested by a company that iain (temple8e30) uses and iain bolted the head on and since its not his first i cant see him making any errors but theres always a first time

hope this turns out to be something simple cause i feel a bit bad about this, to a suspicious person it would look like ive just offloaded a heap but it has genuinely been ok for me although ive not covered many miles since the engine build.

keep me posted cause if it is serious ill have to do something about compensation

cheers
matt

[adamS]

Hi Matt,

Yeah tried a new stat but to no avail

Talked to Iain yet?

[Brianmoooore]

Clutching at straws, but a blockage in the small pipe to the top of the radiator will cause these problems.

[adamS]

Thanks Brian. I tried that. Could blow through it quite easily.

Ah well!

[adamS]

Well today I took the head off today. Which was fun.



No obvious problems but its dark!

One question. Will I need to get the head skimmed?

[adamS]

To drag this thread up.

I've done the headgasket now and guess what.

It still pisses the water out.

Who wants to buy it!

[wildeian]

I had similar probs, and it was a blockage between the bottom rad outlet, and the thermostat housing.

Turned out to be a bit of rag I stuffed in the end of the pipe to stop crap getting in during engine swap!!

[mash320i]

they can sometimes be a right arse to bleed up, dont give up yet!!

[adamS]

Thanks guys! The water's coming out the overflow and the exhaust. I can feel a fragfest. I'm so frustrated!

And breathe!

[SPADGE]

Did you think of trying a new header tank cap?

[SPADGE]

Thanks guys! The water's coming out the overflow and the exhaust. I can feel a fragfest. I'm so frustrated!

And breathe!

Ahhh ignore my last post if its coming out of the exhaust as well

[adamS]

I tried the one off my other car. It still did it!

Thanks though!

[mash320i]

water pump good?

[SPADGE]

water pump good?

Good point they are renowned for going tits-up

[adamS]

New one put in when the engine was built i think.

I like all your ideas though. Worth checking!

[mash320i]

with it running just check to see if its returning ok!

[Barnz]

Talking of expansion tank caps, mine winds down a long way.... is this normal? Got water probs with mine too, but hasn't overheated yet..... famous last words! Good luck adamS !!!

[adamS]

with it running just check to see if its returning ok!

By pulling the pipe off?

[mash320i]

take the cap of with it running see if the water is returnig back

[adamS]

take the cap of with it running see if the water is returnig back

I see. cheers

[mash320i]

if it is then at least ur water pump is pumping water! run the car with the cap of full tank of water, heaters on full heat inside the car. take the bleed screw out untill it starts coolant starts coming out of there then put it back in, hold the revs up a bit and it should bleed through

good luck

[beardymat]

engine had a new pump fitted during original 2.7 build, was a euro car parts one with the steel impellar but i suppose it could still be faulty.if this is the case i may still have the receipt for it.

did you figure out why you wasnt getting oil feed up to the cam after the head gasket swap?

[adamS]

I'm still a little hazy about that issue. The first head gasket I fitted from GSF turned out to be a 320 item. That's why it sounded like a diesel, the pistons were hitting the gasket.

I'll try a few more things this weekend. I might try everything without my fingers crossed this time!

[adamS]

Well all seems well at the minute with car.

It runs fine and doesn't vomit its coolant.

I've learned so much from this, including check your parts are correct before fitting them!

Thanks to everyone for their help!

[mash320i]

lol at least all is well with the car now