Coolant issue

[Rsnail]

Coming back yet again with a coolant issue, actually the one before but now with a significant finding. The car's been loosing coolant last winter until the cold was gone, about 1 liter per week (huge, I know) with no trace at all, no coolant inside the car indicating a failure of the matrix, no coolant under the car, on the coolant pipes, also no trace to be seen in the engine bay looking around. When the cold season ended and the summer kicked in, for 6 months I had absolutely no voolant loss at all! And now when the cold came again, suddenly I'm loosing again about 1 liter per week.

And the thing is, I haven't even turned on the heat in the car yet, just for the very reason to convince myself it's not the matrix, but still, with the old weather again, coolant's getting eaten like mad and I have no ideea where to look, engine V is clean, and as I said, no trace of coolant around pipes, near the reservoir, not even on the underbody protection panel.

This is clearly an issue influenced by how hot or cold it is outside, but why and how can it be possible? I've never heard of something similar, ever. Any ideas?

[COLVERT]

The coolant flows through the heater matrix all the time. It can't be turned off and on.

I think, not sure, but there is a dye that can be added to the coolant. It will, I believe, give a very clear indication of the position of any water leak.

Perhaps some other forum members may be able to confirm this.---

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

I think, not sure, but there is a dye that can be added to the coolant. It will, I believe, give a very clear indication of the position of any water leak. Perhaps some other forum members may be able to confirm this.---

Yup, fluorescein and a UV torch makes coolant leaks glow in the dark.



TC


EDIT: They also inject you with it for highlighting blood vessels (angiography)

[Yorkshire GOC]

Originally Posted by T-Cut

Yup, fluorescein and a UV torch makes coolant leaks glow in the dark.



TC


EDIT: They also inject you with it for highlighting blood vessels (angiography)

Got to ask where do you buy it ? Its a medical tool isnt it?

[Rp61973]

Isn't that drain dye?

[T-Cut]

You can buy this fluorescent dye solution on eBay along with a UV light torch: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...leak+test+dye+


Best observed in the dark.


TC

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by Rp61973

Isn't that drain dye?

No it's green.


TC

[StewartIngram]

If I use that flourescent dye, how much do I put in, and how long do I wait?

[gnu]

It comes in a little bottle and you put the lot in. I used some in a 4 cyl k series earlier this year. In my case I wished I hadn’t. It told me nothing (internal leak), and was a pain to flush out and clean up. Not saying it won’t help you though. If you use it, I’d advise photographing the engine under the UV light before adding as it will allow you to ascertain new marks.

Bright green:

[gnu]

Run the engine and check, depends on the leak. At the end of a days use, when it gets dark would work, if the leak is external.