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Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:19 pm
by Slatch
I have just done a 100 mile trip, i arrived home and got of the bongo to hear a hissing sound. At first i thought i had just reveresed over a nail and was going to have a puncture. But after closer inspection i could hear it coming from the engine. I quickly put the seats back to see what the problem was, it seems there is a really heavy coolant leak which when the engine was hot was making a hissing sound. This stopped after cooling but now i just pour water into the water fill and it emptys in seconds.

Do i fear the worst of a cracked head or could it be the water pump or something else?

Thanks

Will

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:26 pm
by missfixit70
Could you not see where it was leaking from? Any distended hoses with pinhole leaks? If it's the waterpump there's a telltale visible from the passy side

Image

How much coolant did you add? It's got to be going somewhere, if it ain't pouring out somewhere is it filling up the oil level? Chances are it'll need bleeding even if its just a hose leak or waterpump.
Need more info to be able to help.

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:30 pm
by Slatch
the hissing was definitely coming from under the drivers side, but just couldn't see where it was coming from. I guess 4 litres of water has to go somewhere and it is dripping onto the floor, but not loads of it!

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:37 pm
by missfixit70
You need to find the leak & get it fixed. Do not try & drive it until this is sorted. Once fixed, it needs to bled properly & fingers crossed there's no serious damage [-o<
To help find hte leak this may help - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=38823

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:44 pm
by Slatch
I think there might be water in the oil, have just checked the dipstick and the oil was very thin and looks a light colour, but could this be just that it is warm and i only did an oil change 500 miles ago so the oil might not be that black.

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:52 pm
by missfixit70
Is the level higher than it should be? if there's water in the oil there should be signs of emulsification.

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:58 pm
by haydn callow
Sounds as though your oil is o.k.
Keep pouring water into the tank untill it half fills the tank...then see how quickly the level drops.
As above ....don't drive it anywhere untill properly sorted and BLED !!

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:01 pm
by Slatch
The coolant only drops when the engine is turned. when the engine is off it just stays full. When the engine is on then the tank emptys in seconds.

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:02 pm
by mister munkey
Drivers side - Top hose?

Re: Umm.. heavy coolant loss!

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:08 pm
by missfixit70
Slatch wrote:The coolant only drops when the engine is turned. when the engine is off it just stays full. When the engine is on then the tank emptys in seconds.
Did you look at the link I posted to the thread about pressure testing the system to find the leak? I'm sure as a plumber/gas engineer you should have some kit to help there?