Hey this is my first post and I'm really glad I found you guys! I have a stock Discovery II (2002) and I've done a lot of work on it. I thought I was over the hump so to say after I replaced the entire cooling system: new radiator, water pump, ALL the hoses and the aux overfill tank BUT I'm still putting coolant in about once a week. I can smell it although no one else seems to be able to and I'm not leaking anywhere. Someone has said that I might have a blown head gasket but I have NONE of the symptoms and the thing runs great! Anyone Help? Thanks
where's my coolant going?
- Thread starter nico777
- Start date
Clean the engine bay nicely, and then put a radiator pressure tester on it while its cold.. if its an external leak you should see it squirting out somewhere.
The 'bad' case scenerios are [in order of ok to really bad];
1) valley gasket leak [check the top of the bellhousing where it meets the engine]
2) head gasket leak [maybe internally leaking into a cylinder if you're not seeing it]
3) slipped liner
4) cracked block
The 'bad' case scenerios are [in order of ok to really bad];
1) valley gasket leak [check the top of the bellhousing where it meets the engine]
2) head gasket leak [maybe internally leaking into a cylinder if you're not seeing it]
3) slipped liner
4) cracked block
I was losing antifreeze at a very slow but consistent pace. I couldn't find the leak and thought maybe head gaskets.
Then one day the top hose coming out of the thermostat slipped off resulting in pretty much all of my coolant being lost. Fortunately I was in the neighborhood.
The factory clamps are the cheap non-screw or quick release type. Over time the hose worked its way loose until it finally gave way. The funny part was that there were no visible traces leading up to it. My guess is that the hose leaked only as the thermostat opened, and then quickly evaporated (causing the smell).
Then one day the top hose coming out of the thermostat slipped off resulting in pretty much all of my coolant being lost. Fortunately I was in the neighborhood.
The factory clamps are the cheap non-screw or quick release type. Over time the hose worked its way loose until it finally gave way. The funny part was that there were no visible traces leading up to it. My guess is that the hose leaked only as the thermostat opened, and then quickly evaporated (causing the smell).
The amount of coolant I add is small. Maybe 1/2" to 5/8" max below fill line per week. I've also noticed that while I'm driving it it doesn't seem to go down, only after it sits for a while.
nico777 said:
The reason I was asking how much is since you replaced your cooling system, maybe you didn't add enough coolant. Do you ever hear a slosh in the firewall when you accelarate? Could be minor that you just need to burp your system to get the air out.
If not, I'd go with rmuller's advice.
A quick check to see if its bad is to pull your spark plugs and compare them to see if any look cleaner than the others.. that is a sign that coolant is entering a cylinder.
I have heard odd sounds actually coming from the dash area while driving. sounds like a "sloshing" kinda "bubbling, burping " sometimes not all the time. this weekend I plan to do the checks you guys talked about and I'll get back to you guys. Boy I sure appreciate it!
Remove the radiator & resevoir cap and run it for like 5 minutes to get the air out. Worked for me.
the sloshing is air in the system, probably heater core. do as big papa said, run without expansion tank cap and let the air burp. also after running you can leave front end way up in air.
Just pray that you got air......
Otherwise it could turn out to be an expensive fix.
As said before, get that radiator expansion cap off and run it. Squeezing the hoses also helps to dislodge those bubbles. LOL just don't burn your hands on the hoses
Otherwise it could turn out to be an expensive fix.
As said before, get that radiator expansion cap off and run it. Squeezing the hoses also helps to dislodge those bubbles. LOL just don't burn your hands on the hoses
Dude if you have sloshing behind dash you need to do the extreme burp of the system. Be sure all the air is out. Get the front end way up, raise the tank, bleed screw out, etc.
If there is air in the system will it continue to take fluid? I had the gurgling sound and ran my disco without the cap and it got rid of the sound. About a week and a half later I had the sound again and had to add more fluid and repeat the process. Similar to nico777 I'm not seeing a external fluid leak.
must have a leak somewhere letting air in the system. have you pressure tested the cooling system?
On a somewhat related note...I discovered this weekend that when I fill my overflow tank to the cold fill line I will actually get coolant drops out of the breather tube. My cold fill appears to be a quarter in below the actual fill line, it settles there every time. If it is above the natural flow back in to the tank makes it drip.
On a somewhat related note...I discovered this weekend that when I fill my overflow tank to the cold fill line I will actually get coolant drops out of the breather tube. My cold fill appears to be a quarter in below the actual fill line, it settles there every time. If it is above the natural flow back in to the tank makes it drip.
After having to replace my reservior, thermostat and a few hoses in April, I've had a consistant drip from the overflow tube. Now that the weather has turned chilly, since Monday, the drip has become a stream and I'm leaving puddles everywhere I go. I've resorted to carrying a couple gallons of coolant with me again.
Keep us updated on your issues. I'm watching this thread with interest.
Keep us updated on your issues. I'm watching this thread with interest.
There was a history of the D2 block "weeping" coolant on the backside of the block. Do you have a faint rotten egg smell? For the most part, its harmless though I know of a D2 guy who received a replacement warranty motor though that was years ago. For the most part, its merely an inconvenience... Just another place where a rover leaks....