where is my coolant going?

[paps02]

my brothers delsol is burning or leaking coolant somewhere but not sure where from. we have just replaced the radiator and hoses but we are constantly filling up the coolant.

what are the possible scenarios here?

i look on the floor underneath where the car is parked but there isn't any fluid there so it must be burning it whilst driving.

im thinking welsh plugs?

[55EXX]

have you checked your oil? is it milky?


how does the temp go will driving?

replaced your thermo?

[paps02]

always sits just at about half.

when you say milky what does this mean???

[aaronng]

when you say milky what does this mean???
THe oil will look like chocolate milk instead of dark brown coffee.

[CoupeTurbo]

well you should probably check if it is leaking... then you will be able to get a rough idea if it is leaking and where it is coming from etc...

well to check if the oil is milkly, the most reliable way is to drain the oil as dip stilck wont show you... but i wouldnt do that yet.

[EK1.6LCIV]

I'd say a clamp is loose, check all of them on the hoses first, I usually replace mine every few yrs on the lower hose.

[paps02]

All hoses just been replaced along with brand new radiator.

I will check the oil tonight.. should i just look at the dipstick or should i actually drain the sump

[aaronng]

All hoses just been replaced along with brand new radiator.

I will check the oil tonight.. should i just look at the dipstick or should i actually drain the sump

Start by looking underneath the oil cap.

[EK1.6LCIV]

how many ks are on the engine?

[bennjamin]

is there any white powdery spray in the engine bay or under the splash tray etc? (look around clamped hoses or rad cap etc) - this is a sign of a hole somewhere that forces coolantt past when the motor is hot.

Also did you properly bleed the coolant system of all air when you changed the pipes etc? If you didnt , you will have to constantly top up teh radiator as the air is displaced slowly.

[paps02]

il check all these suggestions tonight and report back.

i think you might be right(bennjamin) about the bleeding of the pipes, i doubt this was done properly.... but should this explain a near empty overflow and no coolant at the top of the radiator????

[02gzm]

Does the coolant in your coolant overflow reservior look oily and/or is there black gunk in there?
Also does the car struggle to start a bit sometimes?

If so your head gasket may have a leak from your cylinder to your cooling system. When the pressure builds up in the cooling system it slowly forces the coolant into the cylinder which is then burnt off. Once the car is off the coolant continues to slowly seep into the cylinder until the car is cool which is why the car may struggle to start while it's burning off the coolant.

[lenz]

could be the waterpump is leaking

[EK1.6LCIV]

check the weep holes in at the water pump, but if it's got alot of ks on it, it could be the waterpump

[CRXDEL501]

since its got a few kms on it.. waterpump.

[paps02]

had it pressure tested. no leaks.

problem(at this stage) must be air in the cooling pipes.

thanks for the help guys

[mclovin]

it could be leaking into ur heater box, check the carpets around the front foot wells as coolant thats leaking into ur heaterbox will overflow and wet the carpet. just another suggestion...

[paps02]

will keep an eye on it. if symptoms persist i will consult with you all again

[paps02]

also, if the water pump was on its way out wouldn't this show by a higher than normal temp reading??