Coolant loss - in storage?????
 

My 1.8 T has been sitting in the garage these last 2 years, waiting for me to do some work for the mot. I've been using my V6 instead. Engine in the turbo has been started the odd time, but not for the last 6 months. Last time I started her the coolant was at the correct level.

I went to start it the other night and thought I'd check the coolant level before I did. There was no coolant in the reservoir. Took about 400ml to top it up. How can a car in storage, not being run, lose coolant? I looked for stains on the floor - none there. Carpets inside bone dry.

She always lost a wee bit of coolant every time she was in use, but it was usually only maybe a hundred ml. Always a coolant smell but no obvious leaks. The IMG has been replaced, as was the plastic 'T' in the coolant hose (with an alloy one). Fan resistor also done. There is no mayonnaise under the oil filler cap.

Did yo check the oil?


TC

You may have replaced the IMG but if the brass ferrules have pulled through or the manifold is warped you may never get sufficient squeeze on the new gasket. Better watch out for hydraulic lock on pistons 1 & 4, remove the plugs before turning over.
Here’s my theory on the manifold.
https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...03&postcount=1

there is also the possibilty that there could have been(not saying there was) a bit of a airlock that has sorted its self out.

I would like remind you about coolant lock as per Lovel's post.

You can DESTROY your engine in less than a second so check the bores before you turn that key.---:eek::eek::eek:

There is little to no chance the cylinder will fill fully with water.
I have it happen on a V8, where the electric fuel pump filled one piston with petrol. ( the ignition was on, with a stationary engine, and the valve did not close on the one SU).
I tried to start, but the starter motor could not turn the engine.
No damage occurred, and all was well after the fuel had been drained.
I would suspect the same would be the case with the 1.8.

Could a leaking water pump be the cause?

Any leak, and that includes the water pump.

In case of the WP look for stains near the crankshaft pulley.

My thinking was a volume fractionally larger than the space in the combustion chamber with the piston at top dead centre

This would give the piston time to gather speed before hitting something that can't be compressed.--:eek::eek::eek:.