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Author Topic: Coolant!  (Read 16946 times)

Offline b16mak

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #15 on: May 12, 2014, 08:48:21 am »
Silly Mak! Thanks though guys!

I don't know what the sniff test is?

VW don't know if it is a failing HG , how do you check this out?

Cheers

Offline Shaw

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2014, 08:52:31 am »
A sniff test involves taking the car for a drive until up to temp then bubbling the air found in the cooling system through a special fluid that changes colour in the presence of combustion gasses (I think it's lime water testing for presence of Co2).

In my opinion after reading your comments I think it's a coolant leak somewhere. If the HG had failed you'd either have a pressurised cooling system on a cold engine or thick creamy engine oil, specially considering how much you have to top up.
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Offline b16mak

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2014, 09:36:40 am »
Thanks, VW did the overnight pressure test- they said they bring the pressure up and check it again the next morning to look and see if it has lost pressure and there wasn't. So they said it could be an internal leak? This could be the first signs of a internal leak? TBH I don't trust them at all, and very much regret taking the car for that service with them. But learnt my lesson now.

So I should just find a reliable local garage nearby to try and find where this leak is that VW can't seem to find?

Offline MJ

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #18 on: May 12, 2014, 10:09:48 am »
Ok, theoretically there should be no pressure within the coolant system once it's been left for a while but realistically you will find a small amount of pressure in the system when you release the cap even if it's been left over night. There's been a car with a BXE engine in our workshop all weekend for a service this morning, I removed the cap and a small hiss if pressure was released, the customer has not complained of any faults or coolant loss it's just normal behaviour of these systems. If there was a large amount of pressure after a short period of running then that is not normal.

Block leak tests often prove unfruitful when checking for coolant to exhaust gas contamination on diesels unless coolant is definitely being forced out if the cap by exhaust pressure. It's usually escaping through the exhaust ports and being burned of or into the bore and being burned with the fuel but there would be visable steam from the exhaust unless the leak is minute.

Also it's very rare to see coolant to oil contamination, it's the other way round where oil appears in the coolant. It occurs this way as the oil pressure is higher than that of the coolant system.
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Offline b16mak

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #19 on: May 12, 2014, 12:13:11 pm »
Thanks for that helps to understand things better. Can you please advise me what I should do next? I do a lot of motorway driving and a bit concerned.
Cheers!

Offline Shaw

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #20 on: May 12, 2014, 12:39:17 pm »
For the cost of a sniff test get one done. It won't give a false positive but could possibly indicate all is ok despite there being an issue with the head/gasket.


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Offline xjay1337

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #21 on: May 12, 2014, 02:45:32 pm »
Thanks, VW did the overnight pressure test- they said they bring the pressure up and check it again the next morning to look and see if it has lost pressure and there wasn't. So they said it could be an internal leak? This could be the first signs of a internal leak? TBH I don't trust them at all, and very much regret taking the car for that service with them. But learnt my lesson now.

So I should just find a reliable local garage nearby to try and find where this leak is that VW can't seem to find?

If there was internal leaks, assuming it happens - Then it wouldn't show up on a sniff test as there'd be no cross contamination between oil and coolant.

I would swap the water pump and go from there.

Offline b16mak

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #22 on: May 22, 2014, 10:24:01 pm »
It is now requiring water top up daily now it seems :(

Will call the stealers tomorrow, lets see....

Thanks guys!

Offline b16mak

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #23 on: May 30, 2014, 08:28:14 am »
Coolant is more water now, doesn't really have that pink colour, is this an issue?

Thanks

Offline b16mak

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Re: Coolant!
« Reply #24 on: October 08, 2014, 08:47:47 am »
Just an update, I have had the water pump changed, the thermometer and radiator- as the radiator was found to be blocked with a lot of rust.

After driving about 50 miles, temperature kept fluctuating from 90 to 110/120 and back on a 130 mile joinery on the motorway. Coolant needed topping up also flashed low the next day.

Any advice?
Thanks!