Coolant Level dropped a little - Should I be worried?

[matt drastik]

Hi all,

Had my bongo since July, was serviced before I got it from Budget Bongos. Been running a lovely, like a dream and we have thoroughly enjoyed driving it, done a couple of big trips to cornwall and all is going well, probably done about 5000 km. I have been regularly checking the coolant level and oil.

Was used mainly at weekend but since October I have been using 1 day a week for 30 min commuter (i.e. stop start) trips. It seems since then the collant level dropped to min. It was on halfway for summer driving, but dropped to just over minium it seemed when I'd sone a few stop/go commuter type trips.

After many hours reading and searching the forum for "coolant" issues, I think I worried myself more than anything else! And came to the conclusion to top up the coolant to the mid-way level with water. I couldn't decide which type of coolant to get, that would mix ok. The coolant is blue in colour. I figured I'll get it serviced before a big trip to France next summer and maybe get a bongo friendly garage to replace the coolant then and check out all the hoses etc.

I guess I have 2 questions:-
1) Should I be worried that over time the coolant level may drop a little, is this normal?
2) Is it OK to top up with a little water? Will it do any harm?

Any opinions, comments much appreciated. As you can tell I am a non-techie went it comes to engines and have found the forum really helpful, so thanks in advance!

cheers
Matt

[matt drastik]

ps. I don't currently have a coolant alarm, I do intend getting one but with christmas and all, its done the priority list until the new year

[matt drastik]

pps. Its a 2.5 litre v6

[cmm303]

Top up with same colour antifreeze (50:50 water:antifreeze). Since you are topping up quite a bit I wouldn't want to dilute the concentration by topping up just with water, winter on the way.

I would not be happy about the amount of coolant loss, but wait for input from somebody more familiar with the V6. One thing you could check for nowt, is the condition of the cap you are removing to top up. Check it for signs that it isn't seating firmly and sealing.

[the.sasquatch]

Keep a very close eye on it but it would suggest you have a leak somewhere even if it is a small one. It could get bigger, it could stay the same but i would be checking the coolant system to see if you can spot anything.
Don't want to scare you but mine had been fine for nearly a year, then one day my coolant alarm stayed on when starting, had a look and it was just below the alarm level so i topped it up, a week later the alarm again stayed on, had a look and indeed i had a tiny leak from one of the pipes. Booked it into the garage and when they were moving it onto the ramps to fit the new pipes the pipe that had been leaking failed completely and dumped coolant everywhere, so it was sorted just in time. Anyways the moral of the story is you need to find out where the coolant is going as a small leak can quite quickly turn into a big one!

[haydn callow]

The level cold will have dropped a little due to the colder winter weather, top up with 50/50 mix when cold to the full line. Then keep a eye on the level when cold until you get your coolant alarm.
If the level drops start looking for the reason why.

[rita]

You can get Universal top up antifreeze and coolant if you are not sure what to use. You can also get a Low Coolant Alarm for £15 ,PM me if you want details.

[Dodgey]

Mine loses water over time. I'm keeping an eye on it (Have one if Haydn's alarms so I'm always warned). Been like it for around 12 months now. I'm not panicking. With a petrol you have less of a worry. Do get a low coolant alarm fitted. I'm not sure baout petrols, but on diesels they are worth their weight in gold.

On mine it's probably the water pump, but I'll wait till better weather before exploring that route.

Topping up with water is ok in small amounts, but you are diluting your antifreeze over time.

[Diplomat]

I'm currently getting blue antifreeze in Morrisons. It's already diluted so I don't add any more water.

Wilkinsons seem to have given up on ethylene glycol antifreeze and this, coupled with their latest annoying craze for labelling everything with the brand name taking enormous precedence over whatever the contents might be, will probably lead to me giving up on Wilkinsons.


Frank

[Simon Jones]

The V6 is not known for having head gasket issues so you're probably look at a fairly simple leak. As with the diesel, you've got several steel pipes underneath that are quite vulnerable to rust and damage. Then you've got conventional rubber hoses which can perish with age. The other possibility is a leak on the radiator, typically where the plastic end caps are crimped to the alloy matrix.

Most leaks will be fairly easy to spot when hot as you may see damp patches or even a fine spray of coolant, or you may see some pale residue or staining around the effected area when cold.

My advice would be get a Haydn LCA (there's a new one on eBay at a good price currently) or if money is tight you could try the cheaper version tha Rita refers to. As with most things in life, you pays yer money, you takes yer choice but either way some form of early warning device is much cheaper than a new engine in the event of major coolant loss at speed.

If you have got a leak then the system will need to be drained out and should be flushed and fitted with new coolant so I personally would not be too concerned about topping up with tap water at this stage. Once the problem is traced, spare parts are readily available and apart from one long steel pipe underneath, they are all quite straightforward to replace. Afterwards, the system needs to be bled in the same way as the diesel and it is normal for the level to drop the next day as the remaining air is purged.

If you want an extra pair of eyes to check over the van, I work in Eastleigh near Southampton so I'm happy to meet you somewhere to have a look with you.

[rita]

The V6 is not known for having head gasket issues so you're probably look at a fairly simple leak. As with the diesel, you've got several steel pipes underneath that are quite vulnerable to rust and damage. Then you've got conventional rubber hoses which can perish with age. The other possibility is a leak on the radiator, typically where the plastic end caps are crimped to the alloy matrix.

Most leaks will be fairly easy to spot when hot as you may see damp patches or even a fine spray of coolant, or you may see some pale residue or staining around the effected area when cold.

My advice would be get a Haydn LCA (there's a new one on eBay at a good price currently) or if money is tight you could try the cheaper version tha Rita refers to. As with most things in life, you pays yer money, you takes yer choice but either way some form of early warning device is much cheaper than a new engine in the event of major coolant loss at speed.

If you have got a leak then the system will need to be drained out and should be flushed and fitted with new coolant so I personally would not be too concerned about topping up with tap water at this stage. Once the problem is traced, spare parts are readily available and apart from one long steel pipe underneath, they are all quite straightforward to replace. Afterwards, the system needs to be bled in the same way as the diesel and it is normal for the level to drop the next day as the remaining air is purged.

If you want an extra pair of eyes to check over the van, I work in Eastleigh near Southampton so I'm happy to meet you somewhere to have a look with you.

I am very surprised that You are slagging a product that you know nothing about ,I thought that there were rules on this forum to stop this sort of behaviour. I am not particularly concerned but I think the producer of these products might be.

[haydn callow]

I think Rita has some sort of a issue here, I have had PMs from peeps who have picked up on this.
Also, rereading Simons post I don't see any slagging off of anything, if anything a sort of recommendation of the cheaper alarm which he says is better than nothing if funds are tight.

[mikeonb4c]

Who is Rita?

[rita]

I think Rita has some sort of a issue here, I have had PMs from peeps who have picked up on this.
Also, rereading Simons post I don't see any slagging off of anything, if anything a sort of recommendation of the cheaper alarm which he says is better than nothing if funds are tight.

No sort of issue whatsoever.

[haydn callow]

Well that's good to hear!!