loosing water? 2.1td

[locoboy]

My 98 2.1td appears to be loosing a bit of water.

I had a new rad fitted and have done approx 500 mils since that.

They had to bodge splice the bottom hose but i can not see any water seeping from the join.

I can see no max - min mark on the header tank so i filled it to the bottom of the neck.

After approx 200 miles my warning light was coming on intermittantly when the revs got up over 2500 or when i was going up a steep hill.

I filled it again to the bottom of the neck (1.5pints)

now after another 100 miles i bet i could get another pint in it but the light has not come on yet.

There are no abvious leaks that i can see,

Do you have any ideas on how/where to check?
also where 'should' the level be at in the expansion tank?
It may pay to get a propper bottom hose too but at £60 odd quicd its a bit steep dont you think?
Is there a recommended way of bleeding the system?

Many thanks

[teamster1975]

I did exactly the same as you; had to splice two hoses together for the bottom hose when I replaced the rad. It turns out that it was leaking from the splice only when the engine was up to temperature. I bit the bullet and got a new bottom hose for £42 after haggling & it's been fine since; now I've got a leak from the thermostat housing!

[MDB929]

Check the water pump: I was speaking to my mechanic friend last week, who is changing my cam belt and pump as I write, and apparently this is a very common cause of lost coolant. By all accounts if it's nipped in the bud the motor is good for 200k +. Mine's on 160k and still going strong