A cooling water loss question

Navylark · 8th April 2008, 11:55

I recently had to have a new radiator fitted due to a leak.
As it took a while to get a period when I didn't need the car - I got into the habit of checking levels and topping up daily.
After it was fixed I have continued to check levels more often than I used to do.
I have found that the coolant level still drops - over a week - which means approx 150 miles - I still need to top up with approx 1 Pint of fluid.
So my question is - is this level of top up still excessive or not.
My rover is 75 diesel.
Many thanks

1800metro · 8th April 2008, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navylark

I recently had to have a new radiator fitted due to a leak.
As it took a while to get a period when I didn't need the car - I got into the habit of checking levels and topping up daily.
After it was fixed I have continued to check levels more often than I used to do.
I have found that the coolant level still drops - over a week - which means approx 150 miles - I still need to top up with approx 1 Pint of fluid.
So my question is - is this level of top up still excessive or not.
My rover is 75 diesel.
Many thanks

Should not need topping up that regularly or with that volume. Not sure about the BMW engines but I would expect they are pretty bullet proof in terms of Head gaskets. You could look for the usual head gasket symptons i.e. water and oil mixing. I suspect this is a case of a leaking hose at a joint. Check all the cooling system joint to see if there is any antifreeze residue (this is normally a white powder left behind when the antifreeze evaporates) and tighten/replace jubilee clips if necessary.

Alex

Greeners · 8th April 2008, 13:52

M47 engines are verty strong units and a head gasket is very unlikely. Check for staining around the hoses and pipes. The water pump and thermostat is buried at the very back of the engine.

That's a lot of water to loose, so you may need to get it into a garage and get the system pressure tested.

DJW · 8th April 2008, 22:25

At the risk of teaching you to suck eggs, are you sure you are not overfilling the header tank and making sure it is always checked at the same temperature ie cold?

JohnDotCom · 8th April 2008, 22:40

If you are putting that much water in, you will also have lost the Protection of Anti Freeze.
You need the OAT type only for this engine.

8th April 2008, 11:55	#1
Navylark Newbie Rover 75 saloon CDT SE Diesel Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Teddington Middx Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A cooling water loss question I recently had to have a new radiator fitted due to a leak. As it took a while to get a period when I didn't need the car - I got into the habit of checking levels and topping up daily. After it was fixed I have continued to check levels more often than I used to do. I have found that the coolant level still drops - over a week - which means approx 150 miles - I still need to top up with approx 1 Pint of fluid. So my question is - is this level of top up still excessive or not. My rover is 75 diesel. Many thanks

8th April 2008, 13:52	#3
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	M47 engines are verty strong units and a head gasket is very unlikely. Check for staining around the hoses and pipes. The water pump and thermostat is buried at the very back of the engine. That's a lot of water to loose, so you may need to get it into a garage and get the system pressure tested. __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

8th April 2008, 22:25	#4
DJW Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI, MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	At the risk of teaching you to suck eggs, are you sure you are not overfilling the header tank and making sure it is always checked at the same temperature ie cold?

8th April 2008, 22:40	#5
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	If you are putting that much water in, you will also have lost the Protection of Anti Freeze. You need the OAT type only for this engine.