the.vet Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 After winter I've been on a few short blats, just noticed coolant is low. Reservoir empty. No leaks I can see. Slight hiss when loosening cap and no mayo inside oil filler cap either. Just filled up with 500ml and it's full again. Temps all fine when last out. It's a Rover 1800k. Done 3500 miles in last year and not had to fill it before. Should I be worried????? Graeme Edited by - the.vet on 23 Mar 2014 18:28:39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 In a word .... yes ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 It's going somewhere. I'd noticed the level dropping on my Seven very slightly, and it turned out the water pump seal was starting to weep. It's much better to sort these things before you lose all the coolant, it could save you thousands Duncan Edited by - DJ. on 23 Mar 2014 13:36:26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Half a litre is quite a bit to disappear. Keep an eye on the level, and check all connections for signs of leakage. Check the water rail etc. for signs of seepage. It has to be going somewhere, but it may not be HGF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Unless you have a heater that hasn't been used for a while .... and there was an airlock in it. First time you open the heater valve, the airlock moves round the system and ends up in the expansion tank ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Far more likely to be a leak somewhere rather than Head Gasket Failure IME. If you have silicon hoses, check all the clips are tight as the hoses 'relax' and need tightening periodically. Check for leaks with a piece of kitchen paper when hot and running, AND when cold, as the hoses and t-pieces etc can expand/cool at different rates so leak may only occur during one phase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Could be a small slow leak, allowing water out and air in whilst unused over the winter, giving you a small airlock. First blat and the air moves round to the expansion tank. If it's been leaking very slowly over winter the water will have been evaporating as fast as it leaked leaving no sign of wetness, but there should be telltale coolant staining around somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 23, 2014 Member Share Posted March 23, 2014 I'd follow advice as above: check all connections* and look for leaks. What's the expert opinion on chemical testing for exhaust getting into coolant? Jonathan * Even if they're actually silicone hoses. :-) Edited by - Jonathan Kay on 23 Mar 2014 14:24:05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.vet Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Cheers guys - going to play hunt the leak later. I'll monitor the levels. I assume as its not overheated yet then I've hopefully avoided any major damage?!? BTW - if the head has to come off, any suggested upgrades? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mankee Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Quoting the.vet: BTW - if the head has to come off, any suggested upgrades? Easy one this (in my opinion); get some headwork done by your favourite K-series specialist, of which there will be many recommendations. Even on standard cams, inlet and management (you don't say what spec 1800K you have), it will make a good difference. And when budget allows, your head will already be prepared for aftermarket cams, individual throttle bodies and standalone management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Auton Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Read these pages here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.vet Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 So paranoia has set in and I'm worried! I've had a good look over the car when cold. No leaks noted. Went out again this afternoon (now with added coolant!) and everything fine. Temps perfect. Once hot no leaks noted again but I did identify these: Heater control valve - note powdery residue.... and Water rail to head - bottom bolt of the two - with residue... No where can I see any evidence of fluid leaking from these points to anywhere else. I've noted the level of coolant, I'll tighten all the hoses when cool and then would it be sensible to drive it for a while and note if any further coolant loss? I'm based in Scotland so DVA is a LONG way to go but I've got Dreadnought on my doorstep for servicing etc. If getting the head ported does Dave do it by post? Current engine is 1800k with Z&F Ecu mod. Cheers, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Any residue shows coolant has been leaking ..... probably under pressure, thus water has evaporated on hot surfaces. Tighten hose clamps .... use a socket rather than a screwdriver ... amazing how much extra torwue you can apply (and less risk of damage if screwdriver slips !) ...... but don't strip the thread ? I check my hose clamps every month ... they always take a turn, or half a turn ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I must admit when I built my spare engine, which was riddled with hose clamps because I had to plumb my own cooling system, I tightened them all as tight as I thought I dare with a socket and when I first got it hot it leaked like a sieve! Just needed most of them tweaking up again. They do seem to "settle" with time. I'd say go around and tighten everything up then give everything a good clean (so you can spot any fresh deposits) then see how it goes for a bit. If you get fresh deposits you've found your leak, if everything behaves then it's sorted. Generally though the engine shouldn't "use" water, so if your level is going down, it's going somewhere as said earlier. K-Series don't like overheating, even (or especially) in local hotspots caused by airlocks, so keep a close eye on it and if it is losing water, best to get it sorted a.s.a.p. to avoid the risk of potentially catastrophic damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipper man Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I wouldn't be too paranoid - assuming you keep an eye on temperatures, it is unlikely to have done any damage to the engine. Despite what some people would have you believe, K-series engines are pretty robust - just think how many have been treated badly in Freelanders over long periods without trouble. As the others say though, the water is going somewhere and your heater control valve could well be the culprit. It doesn't sound like you check your coolant level very often, (I am also guilty of this!) it could be a pretty slow leak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.vet Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Guilty as charged! I checked it prior to servicing in December and it's not been far since - 200 miles maybe. Must check more often!!! Off out tomorrow to clean all the pipe work then a run up the road to see what happens. Fingers crossed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Quoting Slipper man: I wouldn't be too paranoid - assuming you keep an eye on temperatures, it is unlikely to have done any damage to the engine. Despite what some people would have you believe, K-series engines are pretty robust - just think how many have been treated badly in Freelanders over long periods without trouble. Agree. looks like you've found the source of your coolant loss, and there's nothing else to indicate any other "damage", so why would you be considering sending the head to DVA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.vet Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Indeed - I'll clean and tighten everything and see what happens next. Would only be sending to DVA if the head has to come off - and that's still an if at the moment. Fingers crossed it doesn't need to as the car has been running fabulously. Keep you all posted after tomorrows cleaning and blat... Thanks for all the advice and patience with a learning newbie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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