V6 Coolant Loss

[woody804]

Hi, All, Just topped up my washer bottle and thought I might as well check my header tank level, I have never had any Issues with my car until now, I found that the header tank was bone dry, I last checked about 2 months ago and all was fine, but the last week or so I have noticed a coolant smell when I turn the engine off, I have just ordered a new Header tank cap because I know these have seal Issues, should I be looking at anything else?
Thanks

[T-Cut]

You should definitely check the thermostat housing. Being made of plastic and mechanically stressed, they tend to split. Remove the panel over the engine and look for red staining in the V between the heads. The thermostat housing is fastened in the V under the upper inlet manifold. If leaking, a replacement housing with 'stat and associated pipework should be fitted.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/waveguide/Idiot6-1.gif

[woody804]

Cheers T-Cut, Just followed your advice and checked that area, I removed the plastic v6 cove and found that there was a lot of standing water In between the V So therefore when Its hot you can smell It, I also found the the Underneath of the v6 cover had a large chunk of foam missing with lots of little pieces of foam on the metal parts, Has this just melted under the heat or something else?
Cheers
Paul

[T-Cut]

Dunno about the cover. Sounds like it's been mishandled a bit during a refit.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/waveguide/Idiot6-1.gif

[woody804]

Any Idea on what the standing water could be?
Paul

[Sancho]

Any Idea on what the standing water could be?
Paul

The missing coolant?

[woody804]

Thanks,
Paul

[stocktake]

Needs doing sooner rather than later, check water daily or even every trip from now on until fixed.

[woody804]

Dont sound too good then?
Paul

[Mike]

It would be wise not to drive the car until you have a new thermostat fitted. The standing water in the V is 99.9% sure the missing coolant. If the engine is run with insufficient coolant then it will go kaput pretty quickly.

[T-Cut]

Any Idea on what the standing water could be?


The missing coolant?

The 'water' should be a red/pink colour. If not, the coolant hasn't been done correctly or topping up the leaking system with tap water has over diluted it. It should be a 50/50 mix of AOT antifreeze and water. When you/they refill it ensure to use OAT, which gives you a 4 year service life.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/waveguide/Idiot6-1.gif