coolant loss

lsmith10 · 12th October 2015, 06:27

Hi I brought a 75 2.5 v6 it has 89000 miles on the clock and the water pump and thermostat was replaced in 2012.
It now looses coolant but can not see were.
You have to top it up every week about a litre.
It's been to a local garage that did a sniff test which detected carbon deposits in the coolant.
Please could you tell me if this definitely a headgasket failed.?
Thank you so much in advance

SD1too · 12th October 2015, 07:53

Hello Lewis and

to the club.

First ensure that you are not filling the expansion tank above the 'max' marker. This is visible inside the tank and is much lower down that is usually expected.

Remove the two 8mm screws fixing the engine acoustic cover (the plastic moulding with the Rover V6 label upon it) and, using a powerful torch, peep in between the metal inlet manifolds at the 'V'. If you see any traces of coolant or dried pink powdery deposits, then there's a leak from the 'O' ring seals again. It's very common, particularly after three years.

I wouldn't attach too much creedence to the garage's sniff test. The head gaskets do not fail on the V6 engine unless it has been seriously abused.

Another common cause of coolant loss in all the engines is failure to bleed the cooling system after repairs. You can do this yourself if you're DIY minded with minimal tools. Are you?

Also check that your radiator fan is working on slow speed. Start the engine from cold, press the windscreen demist button on the air con. control panel, then walk to the front of the car and listen at the grille. Is the fan running continuously? This is an essential test.

Simon

lsmith10 · 12th October 2015, 09:26

Thank you

And thank you for your quick reply
Yes I can do some diy.
I will have a look under there when I get home.
I will also check the fan.
Is there supposed to be pressure in the header tank when it's cold?
I'm not saying there is but if I remember there might be.
I drove the car home and temp was on mark but then took it out again and after about 15 miles the temp.gauge went to red so stoked straight away and left it 5 mins and then the temp was fine.
Got home then topped up the coolant again and took about a litre but I will check.for external leaks this evening.

Thanks

kaiser · 12th October 2015, 09:31

It is most likely a leak. Usually from the thermostat. inlet manifolds, water pumps, metal cooling pipes in front and general leaks around the radiator are other favourite spots.

Mischief · 12th October 2015, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiser

It is most likely a leak. Usually from the thermostat. inlet manifolds, water pumps, metal cooling pipes in front and general leaks around the radiator are other favourite spots.

you sure it's not the head gasket, or is that just the 1.8? -_-

SD1too · 12th October 2015, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmith10

... then took it out again and after about 15 miles the temp.gauge went to red ...

Check the radiator fan before you do anything else and report back.

It's the 1.8 head gasket design which is susceptible to failure. The KV6 is different.

Simon

lsmith10 · 12th October 2015, 09:59

Yep will do that and report back
Thank you

kaiser · 12th October 2015, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mischief

you sure it's not the head gasket, or is that just the 1.8? -_-

No, you can never be certain, but I would be surprised if it was. These engine are not known for HGF.

lsmith10 · 12th October 2015, 16:06

Right so there is definitely residue inside the V and the fan has not come on yet I have started it and pressed the demist window button?

lsmith10 · 12th October 2015, 19:47

I also got back from a drive tonight and there was a bit of smoke/steam coming from the front of the bonnet lifted the bonnet and it was coming from under header tank and off the rad, I'm guessing it could be just because it's warm and it's cold out side but I also think it could be a small hole in the rad misting?

12th October 2015, 06:27	#1
lsmith10 Regular poster rover 75 contemporary se Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ely Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	coolant loss Hi I brought a 75 2.5 v6 it has 89000 miles on the clock and the water pump and thermostat was replaced in 2012. It now looses coolant but can not see were. You have to top it up every week about a litre. It's been to a local garage that did a sniff test which detected carbon deposits in the coolant. Please could you tell me if this definitely a headgasket failed.? Thank you so much in advance

12th October 2015, 07:53	#2
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,673 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	KV6 cooling system Hello Lewis and to the club. First ensure that you are not filling the expansion tank above the 'max' marker. This is visible inside the tank and is much lower down that is usually expected. Remove the two 8mm screws fixing the engine acoustic cover (the plastic moulding with the Rover V6 label upon it) and, using a powerful torch, peep in between the metal inlet manifolds at the 'V'. If you see any traces of coolant or dried pink powdery deposits, then there's a leak from the 'O' ring seals again. It's very common, particularly after three years. I wouldn't attach too much creedence to the garage's sniff test. The head gaskets do not fail on the V6 engine unless it has been seriously abused. Another common cause of coolant loss in all the engines is failure to bleed the cooling system after repairs. You can do this yourself if you're DIY minded with minimal tools. Are you? Also check that your radiator fan is working on slow speed. Start the engine from cold, press the windscreen demist button on the air con. control panel, then walk to the front of the car and listen at the grille. Is the fan running continuously? This is an essential test. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

12th October 2015, 09:31	#4
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	It is most likely a leak. Usually from the thermostat. inlet manifolds, water pumps, metal cooling pipes in front and general leaks around the radiator are other favourite spots. __________________ Worth his V8 in gold

12th October 2015, 09:26	#3
lsmith10 Regular poster rover 75 contemporary se Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ely Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you And thank you for your quick reply Yes I can do some diy. I will have a look under there when I get home. I will also check the fan. Is there supposed to be pressure in the header tank when it's cold? I'm not saying there is but if I remember there might be. I drove the car home and temp was on mark but then took it out again and after about 15 miles the temp.gauge went to red so stoked straight away and left it 5 mins and then the temp was fine. Got home then topped up the coolant again and took about a litre but I will check.for external leaks this evening. Thanks

12th October 2015, 09:59	#7
lsmith10 Regular poster rover 75 contemporary se Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ely Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yep will do that and report back Thank you

12th October 2015, 16:06	#9
lsmith10 Regular poster rover 75 contemporary se Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ely Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Right so there is definitely residue inside the V and the fan has not come on yet I have started it and pressed the demist window button?

12th October 2015, 19:47	#10
lsmith10 Regular poster rover 75 contemporary se Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ely Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I also got back from a drive tonight and there was a bit of smoke/steam coming from the front of the bonnet lifted the bonnet and it was coming from under header tank and off the rad, I'm guessing it could be just because it's warm and it's cold out side but I also think it could be a small hole in the rad misting?