Coolant loss 2.0 V6

[zola66]

Hi All

Been having coolant loss over the last 48 hrs (topped up about 3 ltrs so far) so checked the V for evidence of a possible thermostat issue but found only a tiny pod of coolant showing about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, checked the oil and no sign of any creamy substance, I dont think its a thermostat issue as the the small pod of coolant found dosent justify the amount I have had to top up as only seeing a small deposit of coolant in the V, I would also like to point out the coolant isnt OAT but just the norm halfords antifreeze blue coolant (tut tut!) so any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Colin.

[shasbat3]

Hi Colin, don't discount the thermostat yet as it doesn't take long for the coolant to dry up on a hot engine. You could well be losing a lot of coolant from that area.
Other people with a lot more knowledge will be along to offer advice soon I'm sure.
Good luck.

[zola66]

Many Thanks

[T-Cut]

Is there any indication of coolant around the top of the header tank? An external loss of 3 litres in two days should leave some obvious signs.

What's the normal running temperature? Does the cooling fan work as it should?
Worth doing the slow speed (Demist) test.

TC

[chris75]

Any sign of a puddle under the car ? Drops of water hanging off the undertray ?
The vee of the engine does have a small drain hole at the front end so coolant will drain out and appear to be coming from the waterpump , but there will still be plenty to see in the vee

[zola66]

Hi T-CUT

The temperature stays at the norm half way mark, I first realised a coolant issue when I noticed the fans were kicking in really early, which lead me to check, but a bit baffled, the thermostat was changed about 4-5 years ago.

[zola66]

I will remove the shield tomorrow to see if there is any signs on coolant, really hoping its not a head gasket issue, as I love this car but a HGF will be too expensive to sort.

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by zola66

I noticed the fans were kicking in really early,

Have you done the Demist Test for the slow speed fan check?

The temperature stays at the norm half way mark

The gauge is meaningless. The engine could be running way too hot and you'd never know looking at that.
Have you run the trip screen Diagnostic Mode to check the running temperature?

TC

[Mertens34]

Originally Posted by zola66

I will remove the shield tomorrow to see if there is any signs on coolant, really hoping its not a head gasket issue, as I love this car but a HGF will be too expensive to sort.

the v6 engine doesnt have hgf (in general)

I had a very similar on my own 2.0 v6 a few months ago.

I was losing a lot of coolant and it appeared to be coming from the waterpump.
But suprise suprise it wasnt, it was just flowing from that area to the ground.
But i replaced the whole distribution set + waterpump which was 40k kilometers old (or should i say new?) just to discover it wasnt the waterpump at all but the thermostat.

My engine overheated a couple of times because i was driving with like 2liter of coolant in my system. But i replaces the whole thermostat
And the problem is fixed. My engine isnt overheating anymore and im having no loss of coolant/oil at all. So i have no signs of hgf either while i did overheat my engine a couple of times.

Conclusion--->Probably a thermostat problem.

[zola66]

Garage have said the signs are steering towards my worst fears HGF! dose anyone know how much this is going to cost, and can anyone help in sorting this or recommend someone, Im in Sutton Surrey SM1 area.