Long Term Coolant Loss

[kaiser]

Originally Posted by milford man

I don't think it is going into the oil as the level never rises and it is not milky at all.

Regards John

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The water can get into the oil and burn off, as in evaporate!
That would not cause the oil level to rise at all, neither would it cause the oil to go milky.
If the water lost is above a certain amount, then you will see it, but you are complaining about small amounts, which could disappear the way I have suggested.

[milford man]

Yes you could be right. Its a guessing game at the moment.

Regards John

[milford man]

Its the water pump. Yesterday and today stripped it down and removed the water pump. You can see pink water staining in the evap chamber and the bottom of the pump. It appears to be leaking at the bearing. This pump was a new MG Rover item when I did all the work five and a half years ago. It must of failed early on and has been getting slowly worse.

Regards John

[chipsceola]

You say "the pump was a new MG/Rover item five and a half years ago" the OEM warranty was way less than that, yet the evaporation chamber was there so that 'minor leaks' didn't cause the owner to complain to the dealership - no sight of a leak, no work required under warranty.

[milford man]

Originally Posted by chipsceola

You say "the pump was a new MG/Rover item five and a half years ago" the OEM warranty was way less than that, yet the evaporation chamber was there so that 'minor leaks' didn't cause the owner to complain to the dealership - no sight of a leak, no work required under warranty.

Its not the cost of the pump its all the work required to change it. With the evap chamber you don't get to know its leaking until it gets a lot.

Regards John

[chipsceola]

Originally Posted by milford man

Its not the cost of the pump its all the work required to change it. With the evap chamber you don't get to know its leaking until it gets a lot.

Regards John

After breakdown patrol caused HGF on my 1.8T repairs were carried out by Mike Stafford of MJS Auto and Marine from Worthing, despite existing WP having covered only 40K since earlier replacement and no signs of wear or leakage at all, a new one was fitted while easily accessible, just in case!

[milford man]

Originally Posted by chipsceola

After breakdown patrol caused HGF on my 1.8T repairs were carried out by Mike Stafford of MJS Auto and Marine from Worthing, despite existing WP having covered only 40K since earlier replacement and no signs of wear or leakage at all, a new one was fitted while easily accessible, just in case!

Totally agree. I am fitting a new timing belt and tensioner while I am in there. Belt and tensioner have only just done over half their work at 50,000mls but they have to come off to change the water pump. Gone with a Circoli water pump, looks well made but we will see.

Regards John

[thegreatdaddo]

I have had exactly the same experience on my 1.8T. There is a slow loss of coolant from max to min level over a couple of months, during which I cover approximately 1,000 miles. During the last 10 years, I have changed all the likely leakage sources without making any difference. This includes replacing the reservoir cap, inlet manifold gasket, water pump, Tee piece, hose clips and head gasket (MLS replacement fitted). There is no sign of an external leak and no obvious sign of the coolant getting into the oil. Since this problem seems to affect the 1.8T, I am starting to think that the coolant may be leaking from the turbo charger, which is connected to the engine coolant circuit. I have not had to change it yet. Maybe one of the club members who has disassembled a turbo can comment on whether there was any sign of coolant leakage?

[milford man]

Originally Posted by thegreatdaddo

I have had exactly the same experience on my 1.8T. There is a slow loss of coolant from max to min level over a couple of months, during which I cover approximately 1,000 miles. During the last 10 years, I have changed all the likely leakage sources without making any difference. This includes replacing the reservoir cap, inlet manifold gasket, water pump, Tee piece, hose clips and head gasket (MLS replacement fitted). There is no sign of an external leak and no obvious sign of the coolant getting into the oil. Since this problem seems to affect the 1.8T, I am starting to think that the coolant may be leaking from the turbo charger, which is connected to the engine coolant circuit. I have not had to change it yet. Maybe one of the club members who has disassembled a turbo can comment on whether there was any sign of coolant leakage?

In my case its the water pump. My mistake was assuming the pump was good as I replaced it when I first got the car. I reckon it started leaking within 5000mls of use. It was a genuine MG Rover one too. Rover designed an evaporator chamber to hide leaking pumps. They couldn't seem to design one that didn't leak. All down to cost I guess.

Regards John

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by thegreatdaddo

I am starting to think that the coolant may be leaking from the turbo charger, which is connected to the engine coolant circuit.

It is, but impossible for coolant to leak into the engine unless the tubocharger body is cracked. There are no water seals like those in the water pump. The cooling jacket is a closed cavity with inlet/outlet drillings from the outside. There's no contact with the rotating parts.

TC