Best Way To Check For Coolant Leak?

[dirtdog 4]

Loosing water in the XUD. I say water because there's probably no anti freeze in it at the moment and I need to pull my finger out.

 

It never runs hot on a normal run, it isn't throwing steam out the exhaust but it is loosing coolant and I don't know where to start.

 

Is there a easy DIY method of pressure testing the system?

 

I suppose if I could put some cheapy antifreeze in and hopefully spot the crystally (lack of better word) deposits before they are washed away.

 

It's not using massive amounts I don't think but...for a close system it's too much. And I don't want to drip/leak 20+ quids worth of anitfreeze everywhere numerous times over winter

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

I've got a proper pressure test kit and it is invaluable for tracking down small leaks. However you can achieve much the same end result by rigging up such as a bike tyre pump and pumping some pressure into the system. Just don't go mad with how much pressure you use.

[welshpug 1,666]

Stick some nice bright pink stuff in, quite easy to spot that stuff coming out

[dirtdog 4]

How do you recommend I rig up a bicycle pump to the header tank/tubes? I suppose I could disconnect a hose from the tank, stick the nozzle in and bung a bit of tape over it and hopefully that'd work. It;'s my best idea at the moment.

 

And yea WP..that's the stuff I'm hoping to use ...but after i've fixed the leak that is. Too expensive for me to leak away

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

For a shrader valve to the expansion tank

Edited November 10, 2012 by ORB

[ablister 31]

the best way would be to get an old expansion bottle cap, drill a hole and stick a tyre valve in it then you can inflate it with a bike pump. Aim for about 1 bar pressure in system to check for your leak

[Anthony 1,003]

Worth remembering that the initial stages of a failing head gasket will often result in coolant loss without any other obvious symptoms. Also, don't forget the heater matrix as a source of a leak - a tale-tale sweet smell from the heater is a classic giveaway.

[dirtdog 4]

Worth remembering that the initial stages of a failing head gasket will often result in coolant loss without any other obvious symptoms. Also, don't forget the heater matrix as a source of a leak - a tale-tale sweet smell from the heater is a classic giveaway.

 

That's what came to mind firstly anthony. I've had it since 68k and it's just up to 92k now and I've never cooked it so..fingers & toes are crossed it's not the gasket. I could really do without it lol. It's not down on power, I don't think it's whistling or wheezing and I let it run last night a bit hotter than it would normally get and still no steam from exhaust. Looking through my haynes it looks like a pretty expensive job...

 

I'll have to check on the heater matrix..I haven't smelt anything and they are still blowing hot so..hopefully not that either. Haven't noticed any damp on the carpet either.

 

Thanks everyone for the information! Will try and put it to good use, just need a expansion bottle/cap now.