2.1 TD Head gasket

[Dan]

Now then all,

Bit of an unfortunate question on only about my 3rd post but nay mind, got a pretty bad coolant leak, now havent been able to get under it properly and scoure it due to weather etc but upon a good look from the top i cant see any leaks, if its the head can it be done with the engine in the car or is the Haynes manual right and its engine out job?? Is there anywhere that these engines lose water that isnt apparently obvious?

Thanks

Dan

[gRoberts]

How much water are you loosing? I had a problem with my header matrix which caused water loss.

[Dan]

Well…………I only was aware that the coolant was low because of the warning light starting to flicker on the dash when I was going up small hills on the motorway, was at a steady 90 (kmh obviously) and it went up a slight hill too many and never went off after that one the engine temp never changed and stayed rock steady at about 75 degrees. I topped it up the next day, drove about 40 miles and when I checked the expansion tank afterwards the cylinder (ie the only part inside the tank you can see) was empty, so thought I’d leave it to see how long it was til the coolant light came on again, did 110 motorway miles and light still not on.

I topped it up at the end of the said journey and it needed just under a litre/pint and a half? So that’s 150 miles after being filled up to the brim, 95% motorway cruising miles………?

Not noticed any strangeness with the heater controls when ive turned it up and down its responded, tho not blowing out freezing cold air but its not got air con so im assuming thats about right.

[gRoberts]

The heating will still work, but just not as effective.

Do you have any strange smells inside the car?

Also, if you can, check the oil. If your head gasket is gone, then your most likely to see a creamy white substance in your oil. This would be easier to spot if the engines oil filler cap was directly on the rocker cover like in all my other cars, but since its not I'd check your dip stick.

Take a looky at : http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_ ... ead_gasket

Might provide some answers?

[speediepug406]

Just a thought as i had this on my 2.1 on the heater hoses that are located near the bulkhead you will find the bleed nipple that looks like valve cap mine was leaking and you could white marks around the pipe.
There is one on each side of the bay and it was the one on the left that was leaking,bugger to get to aswell,hope this helps.

[gRoberts]

You sure your model doesn't have aircon? I've got what I think is the most basic model, the LX and that has Aircon.

[Dan]

Thanks for replies much appreciated

gRoberts there isnt any mayo on the dipstick, had it out yesterday morning, was dressed for work so didnt undo the cap it sits in for fear of gettin dirty (i know im a pansy) does that just go straight to the sump then if its not on the rocker? Mine is a GLX and it has a sunroof. no there arent any smells inside the car either, only me

speediepug406 will try see if i can see what your talking bout thanks

[gRoberts]

I think it does, as the dipstick is part of the cap. Great design with regards to the dipstick location but the actual filler cap should be directly on the rocker cover.

The reason I ask about strange smells is if the heater matrix is leaking, your carpet will be getting wet, causing a foisty smell.

[mjb]

Any small puddles under the car in the morning?

Look at the radiator from under the bonnet when the engine's cool, and if you see any pools/damp patches on the tray beneath it, it's probably a leaky rad. Also if you see any coloured patches on the radiator, that's a sure sign, along with a small cloud when you stop the car when it's hot ;)

[Dan]

Thanks again for replies

I think (touch wood fingers crossed) i have found it, the bottom third of the rad is covered in dried coolant, so i have bought a new one for £65 which hopefully will sort the probelm.

On a side note i took the cap off the expansion tank and raised the revs to see if it bubbled air through, which it didnt, and the coolant shows no signs of oil in it, panic over? i hope so just a but puzzled how it could lose that much water to an external leak and it not show up more, apart from the "limescale" if you get me?

Dan

PS: 4 years of running a pulsar running over twice the standard boost, no worries, three weeks with 406 and ............. haha

[Welly]

Radiators kind of 'seep' water rather than piss it out.

And hey, I'd like to see you get a Pulsar rad for £65.00

Hope you get it fitted ok, don't forget to bleed the thermostat housing AND the heater matrix pipes on the bulkhead

[Dan]

Welton what does that entail?

[Welly]

The water-line in the expansion bottle is very close to the level needed to expell air at the hater matrix.

Look here for our frigged-up botles to help venting viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4482 although some say just park on a kurb to tilt the water level up there for you!