Loosing Coolant

[muddatrucker 125]

So the other week, I realised my heater didn't seem to be blowing hot - as a result the dampness in my car from a few little leaks in the seals had congregated on my windscreen and wouldn't shift.

 

I checked the coolant and it was surprisingly almost empty - so I topped it up and the fan started blowing hot again...I checked this morning and the coolant has dropped again - only problem is I can't find a leak - theres no puddle in my footwell and its not losing water at a massively rapid rate...

 

I've checked the hoses, all seem fine - where would I look next? I've looked at the radiator and it appears fine (although the header tank does appear to of had Kseal/Radseal in it at some point). I'm hoping its not the heater matrix weeping...although I can't find any moisture anywhere.

 

LOSING COOLANT, its not loose, haha.

Edited January 14, 2011 by muddatrucker

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

Try looking at the hoses when revving up the engine. My 1.6 was losing coolant and I couldn't find out why as I couldn't see any leaks. It was only when I revved it up while looking at the hoses that I found coolant squirting out from one of the heater hoses.

 

Worth a try?

[Pugnut 9 1 Cars]

coolant loss with no obvious leak could be small perforations in the radiator. I've had this before where you can't see a leak as it just evaporates. You might be able to see a puff of steam now and again.

 

Also it can go out your exhaust, but you'de probably have symptoms of starting on 3 cylinders and maybe a bit of mayo in the oil etc if it were the head gasket (worst case scenario)

 

my money would be on a weepy radiator, or even the heater matrix, especially if someone has put radseal in at some point.

[swordfish210 20]

If it is the heater matrix the top of the stereo will be wet so check that first. Get the car nice and warm then try revving the engine and looking for puffs of steam from the radiator as mentioned above.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I have had this before and it was a pinhole in the rad. Imaging the rad as a kettle that is constantly on. It will eventually boil dry but will not be seen to leak. Remember it is also pressurised too so the steam is forced out. A new expansion tank cap is often a good idea too as these fatigue over time and don't hold the original pressure which impacts your cooling too.

[muddatrucker 125]

I have just got myself a nice puddle in my passenger footwell, so it probably is the heater matrix afterall - followed by a sloshing water sound as I turn left....oh dear.

[muddatrucker 125]

Turns out it was the metal coolant pipe - it had gotten corroded. I ordered a heater matrix too anyway (as I assume its not in the best condition as it leaked once) just need to find a comprehensive guide on changing it, or die trying!

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

It is relatively easy to change and I would advise doing this at the same time as the rusty metal pipe. I hammerited my pipe before fitting a new one, though they do tend to rust from the inside out too.