Water loss sometimes

donc · 26th June 2022, 21:32

My 1.8t has recently been using coolant - about a pint over 100 miles- if I drive around 70mph yet looses none when on a speed restricted journey. The head was done three years ago and radiator cap replaced so why the water loss? There is no visible leak. Front two hoses also replaced.

suzublu · 26th June 2022, 21:56

Inlet manifold gasket for starters. Don't overfill the header tank.

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FLYING BANANA · 26th June 2022, 22:14

Radiator cap’s O rings are a possibility. Check for dampness around the top of the catch tank. As Ronnie as said check inlet manifold gasket. I’ve had a leaky radiator, and a dodgy PR thermostat. Good luck.

donc · 27th June 2022, 10:23

As always helpful advice. Many thanks

solarsailor · 27th June 2022, 12:45

I have a similar problem. Until recently I'd need to top up with a small amount occasionally (maybe around 150ml) although the car would sometimes go for an extended period without losing any coolant. But in the last couple of months it's been losing a lot more - even after a short run. There's no sign of a leak anywhere and no evidence of 'mayo' on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap, so I'm hoping there's not a problem with the head gasket.

However, the car sometimes feels as though it's only running on three and a half cylinders and I've noticed drops of some sort of liquid floating on the coolant in the header tank. Could this be fuel, and would it suggest an issue with the inlet manifold gasket?

drewbie · 27th June 2022, 13:25

Have you still got the plastic four way tee piece in the cooling system, if so ditch it for an aluminium one.

suzublu · 27th June 2022, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarsailor

I have a similar problem. Until recently I'd need to top up with a small amount occasionally (maybe around 150ml) although the car would sometimes go for an extended period without losing any coolant. But in the last couple of months it's been losing a lot more - even after a short run. There's no sign of a leak anywhere and no evidence of 'mayo' on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap, so I'm hoping there's not a problem with the head gasket.

However, the car sometimes feels as though it's only running on three and a half cylinders and I've noticed drops of some sort of liquid floating on the coolant in the header tank. Could this be fuel, and would it suggest an issue with the inlet manifold gasket?

Lumpy running would suggest IMG 😎 check the plugs for dampness

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roverbarmy · 27th June 2022, 14:36

Remember that the coolant level is at the base of the header tank and not at the top. Overfill it and it will just push out of the overflow when under pressure. Also, check when cooled down.

itcaptainslow · 27th June 2022, 15:14

The coolant pump would also be a shout-the leak may not be visible as it is running down the side of the block inside the timing covers.

Worth getting the system pressure tested after completing a fast run somewhere so as to "open up" the leak and maximise the chances of finding it. If it's losing 500ml in 100 miles, that's a fairly significant loss so should be leaving a trace somewhere.

26th June 2022, 21:32	#1
donc Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Kirk Ella Posts: 133 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 13 Posts	Water loss sometimes My 1.8t has recently been using coolant - about a pint over 100 miles- if I drive around 70mph yet looses none when on a speed restricted journey. The head was done three years ago and radiator cap replaced so why the water loss? There is no visible leak. Front two hoses also replaced.

26th June 2022, 22:14	#3
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT saloon. No.3 of 4 produced in Sunspot Yellow Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Saltash Cornwall Posts: 20,265 Thanks: 9,081 Thanked 15,314 Times in 6,657 Posts	Radiator cap’s O rings are a possibility. Check for dampness around the top of the catch tank. As Ronnie as said check inlet manifold gasket. I’ve had a leaky radiator, and a dodgy PR thermostat. Good luck. __________________ 221,101. History of the Sunspot ZT’s and 75’s. No.1. MG ZT V6 190 failed it’s MOT in 2011 and is still rotting on the driveway. Owner refuses to sell. Location Hayling Island. No.2 MG ZT. 160. Fate unknown. No.3 MG ZT. 160, is my car. No.4 MG ZT. CDTi. Sold in 2020 for £7,500. 23,500 miles on the clock. Believed to be living in the Lancashire area. 1 MG ZTT. 180 and is alive and well as far as I know. Lives in and around the Portsmouth area. 1 Rover 75. 120 model. Fate unknown.

27th June 2022, 10:23	#4
donc Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Kirk Ella Posts: 133 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 13 Posts	Waterless sometimes As always helpful advice. Many thanks

27th June 2022, 12:45	#5
solarsailor Posted a thing or two 75 Saloon 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colchester Posts: 1,208 Thanks: 85 Thanked 647 Times in 340 Posts	I have a similar problem. Until recently I'd need to top up with a small amount occasionally (maybe around 150ml) although the car would sometimes go for an extended period without losing any coolant. But in the last couple of months it's been losing a lot more - even after a short run. There's no sign of a leak anywhere and no evidence of 'mayo' on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap, so I'm hoping there's not a problem with the head gasket. However, the car sometimes feels as though it's only running on three and a half cylinders and I've noticed drops of some sort of liquid floating on the coolant in the header tank. Could this be fuel, and would it suggest an issue with the inlet manifold gasket? __________________ This vehicle was born on Wednesday June 4th 2003 @ 08:24:38 This vehicle was the 73,905th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,862nd 75 1.8 T Club SE to be made out of 3,980 This vehicle was the 6,856th 75 in Wedgewood Blue to be made out of 7,515 Wedgewood Blue 75s

27th June 2022, 14:36	#8
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 6,328 Thanks: 699 Thanked 1,973 Times in 1,411 Posts	Remember that the coolant level is at the base of the header tank and not at the top. Overfill it and it will just push out of the overflow when under pressure. Also, check when cooled down. __________________ Oil in my veins!

26th June 2022, 21:56	#2
suzublu MCMLV rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,304 Thanks: 61 Thanked 7,068 Times in 4,595 Posts	Inlet manifold gasket for starters. Don't overfill the header tank. Sent from my SM-A326B using Tapatalk

27th June 2022, 13:25	#6
drewbie Avid contributor Rover 75 Club SE 1.8T 03 plate. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 214 Thanks: 24 Thanked 31 Times in 28 Posts	Have you still got the plastic four way tee piece in the cooling system, if so ditch it for an aluminium one.

27th June 2022, 15:14	#9
itcaptainslow Avid contributor Launch 75 Connoisseur V6 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Letchworth Posts: 146 Thanks: 38 Thanked 57 Times in 35 Posts	The coolant pump would also be a shout-the leak may not be visible as it is running down the side of the block inside the timing covers. Worth getting the system pressure tested after completing a fast run somewhere so as to "open up" the leak and maximise the chances of finding it. If it's losing 500ml in 100 miles, that's a fairly significant loss so should be leaving a trace somewhere.

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