Dramatic Coolant Loss

[Nickydee]

I suffered dramatic coolant loss from my car and had to be recovered by the RAC yesterday. It was dark when I got home so have not as yet had a proper look. However spent four hours at the side of the road waiting to be recovered and could only see a relatively small amount of coolant loss at the back of the head above the manifold. My first thoughts were Head Gasket Failure but now I not so sure and so anybody thoughts would be appreciated.

I am questioning HGF for the following reasons

1. The loss coolant is very high up the engine and was dramatic like a hose splitting rather than seeping from a HGF.

2. No visual contamination in oil or water prior or after .

3. No previous loss of coolant until Christmas when the car stood for three weeks and lost a header tank . I refilled this and did two 10 mile journeys without coolant loss. Yesterday morning was a final test to find or to satisfy me that there was not a problem – well it did the former big style. I was keeping my eye of the temperature gauge and stopped and checked the car after fifteen miles - temp fine and no sign of undue pressure in header . Fifteen miles later under heavy acceleration it just went. Car didn’t overheat just lots of sudden steam.

4. Car running fine no loss power etc. Still starts on the button and idles fine.

Access is pretty tight at the back of the head but just wondering if any pipes connections , core plugs etc in that area that may of cause the issue.

Regards

Nick

[GeoffSmith]

Heater valve?

[HJ2]

I second that!

[Nickydee]

Heater valve?

Thanks Geoff

I will check this first - it is in the right sort of position. Is there still a group buy going on these or am I too late.

Regards

Nick

[mnemonix]

Coolant header tank split?

[steve matthews]

Coolant header tank btm. hose popped off or split.
Just happened to me.
Steve

[rizla]

Sounds like a swirl tank issue to me. If you pour more water in, does it dribble out immediately? My loss was down to a destroyed water pump. It doesn't sound like that.

[Nickydee]

Thanks everybody for their help.

Was actuallly the pipe between heatervalve and stat which also serves the electric coolant pump. Let hope its not split due to extra pressure caused by the dreaded HGF.

Best part of a hundred quid for a new one - Contacted James at Amber but silicone hoses not in stock for two to three weeks. Would wait but my car is at my mechanics after being recovered and I cant leave it there that long!

Any Bright Ideas Anyone!

[HJ2]

If you gonna replace a hose because it truly failed, i would like to recommend to replace all hoses @ the same time.
Perhaps your garage can LEGO something out of existing hoses and adapers so you will survive the coming 2 weeks (check regulary for leaks and keep an eye on your temp. gauge. but i would definitely go for silicon when they become available.

[dapinky]

Nick,

Can you identify the pipe which you need from the picture?

If so, I may have one from when i put the samcos on (I kept the old rubber ones from both cars, but some were beyond use, and some have already found a new home with other owners).

samcoredhoses.jpg

From your description, it may just be a straight(ish) rubber pipe, which your garage should be able to replicate 'off the shelf' for now, but if it is any of the more 'specialised' shaped ones. let me know.

[surfboardfiller]

You should be able to drive the car without any problem as long as the thermostat doesn't open, probably about 83-88 degrees C depending on the thermostat.
Keep the temp under 1/4 on the guage, if it gets hot stop and let the engine cool with the bonnet up.
Should be fine for a few miles at a time; if you keep the revs down and lightfooted on the accelerator.

That's what I'd do!

[GeoffSmith]

Either cut it out and reconnect with some 15mm copper pipe plus jubilee clips or wrap plenty of self amalgamating tape around it.

[dapinky]

Nick,

STOP

Don't pay SJ prices until you have checked your e-mail!

(assuming that the picture you sent me should refer to item TB1829 in the picture i posted before.)