Getting to know my V6 but what is normal!

[Jim the Box]

I would still source a tray even though haydn says it has little bearing on the temperature, as there are previous posts claiming they reduce the amount of water spray etc contacting the V6 electrics. Sorry don't know if its the same as the diesel.

[Simon Jones]

Is the big cover the same as on the diesel? I can't find it on any of the lush projects diagrams.

99% certain it's the same as the diesel. This should do the trick with the addition of some M6 bolts:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/plastic-prote ... 2a2a9a4a46

Apart from any changes to the airflow around the engine, it will reduce engine noise (not that it matters on V6), it will add some wet weather / scrape protection to the underside and catch any bits you accidentally drop when you're working around the engine bay.

[stuart_indalo]

Thanks I'll have a go with the tray.

I have to report that the coolant level today was about 1cm below full at cold. I taped a plastic milk bottle to the expansion tank vent hose to capture any lost fluid. I drove the normal route and coming off the the fast road the fans cut in twice. Second time as I pulled into the car park. I let it idle until fans went off and the bottom hose was hot. No fluid in capture bottle and coolant level had risen to about 1cm above the full mark. I will top up to full tomorrow and see what happens but today was promising.

The heater on full blast was v hot when in floor mode but seemed to lack a bit of heat in the middle cab mode. Should this be belting out heat or does the middle setting mix with fresh? Have I found a possible air lock?

[Simon Jones]

Personally, I wouldn't fill much higher that you have at the moment (1cm under the full level). There whole point of an expansion tank is to allow room for the coolant to expand as it gets hot. By reducing the spare capacity in the tank, you are increasing the pressure which could could put extra stress on any weaknesses in the system.

The important thing is that the level rises and falls back to the same points every time. After a bleed, you can expect the level to drop a little bit when its cooled off, so some topping up for the first day or two is not unusual but after that it should stay pretty stable.

[stuart_indalo]

Fair point!