coolant loss

[glynnbob]

A couple of months ago on my way to work the temp gauge went up to red, put 2 litres of coolant in and things were back to normal.no sign of leaks anywhere.been topping up with 1/2 litre every 10 days. still no signs of leaks. only do 9 mile round trip to work everyday and short journeys to shops town etc, any ideas what it could be and cost.any tests i can carry out, cheers

[Phil]

Hi, firstly, quick checks, is there any mayonaise under the oil cap? Any on the dipstick? Any gloop floating around in the coolant? When cold in the morning, look around the plastic T piece which the three hoses join up to left of the reservoir tank. Is there any staining or wetness? Whatever you find, it really needs garage attention and a pressure test of the cooling system. Otherwise it will become damaged. Especially using that much coolant!

Oh yeah, what engine size are we talking about?

[Greeners]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

A couple of months ago on my way to work the temp gauge went up to red, put 2 litres of coolant in and things were back to normal.no sign of leaks anywhere.been topping up with 1/2 litre every 10 days. still no signs of leaks. only do 9 mile round trip to work everyday and short journeys to shops town etc, any ideas what it could be and cost.any tests i can carry out, cheers

Could you post up which particular engine you've got........

[glynnbob]

1.8 petrol not noticed any gloop as yet. will have agood look tomorrow.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

1.8 petrol not noticed any gloop as yet. will have agood look tomorrow.

Ok, what I've said applies then to that engine. What is the milage and age? Prior to the overheat, how often were you checking the coolant?

[glynnbob]

02 57.000 miles I have not checked it weekly more like monthly

[kaiser]

Hi and welcome.
Your likely culprits are, more or less in order of importance
a: crack in T-piece front plastic pipe
b: leaking water pump
c: leaking inlet manifold seal
d: any other leak, jubilee clips, etc
e: water past liners (mayonaise under oil filler cap)
f: leak at head gasket.

I would check a, b and c. Replace the t-piece with a steel unit in any case.
Get into a habit of checking these engines before you drive.
Do a search under my name and you will see.

Lovely cars, but you must look after them.

[glynnbob]

Checked dipstick today got mayo on it, booked in at garage next wednesday. Is it ok to keep driving, probably do 60 miles before then.
Or should i keep it off road untill next week.

[Phil]

Keep it off the road. That way you are sure to do no more damage.

If it is the head gasket. Make sure they replace it with either the Landrover mls and ladder kit, or the equivilant one from Rover. These kits put head gasket failure to rest on these engines. (Providing it is done properly.)

[glynnbob]

cheers..!!!!