04 TD4 Loss of Water.

Any ideas how to find a water leak in the cooling system.

I noticed that the water level on the expansion tank is going down requiring quite a lot to top up (about half a litre in 2 months). At first I thought it was just normal loss because I have had the car for about 3 years and had not really noticed anything before, but suddenly there is a noticeable difference in level over a short period of time.

Looked for the obvious signs (water in oil, obvious overflow of the expansion bottle etc) but couldn’t see anything.

Anybody know any ways I can diagnose where the leak is or should I just wait for the inevitable catastrophic failure that awaits all Freelander owners.

have yu checked the heater radiator matrix, as they are prone to leaking?

Coolant filler/bottle might be a place to start - they're prone to cracking (not catastrophically, but small tiny cracks).
Does it on mine, plan to replace it one day, but in the meantime I just keep an eye on it and top up. (It's probably good practice to have a look under the bonnet every so often anyway)

The O-ring on the thermostat housing is also prone to leak - can get a squealing alternator belt associated with this

Heater radiator seems to be OK, carpet is dry. I had a look at the expansion tank and it seems OK, again there doesnt appear to be any leaks and there is no squealing alternator and I cant see any leaks there either.

I guess I will just have to live with it for the time being and just keep an eye on the levels.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Expansion tank cap?

Main radiator ?

Trouble with finding a leak in the main radiator is that you can hardly see it with so many fans and stuff bolted to it.

And the car has only dome 48,000 miles. You would expect a radiator to last a lot longer than that. But hey, this is a Freelander, anything can go wrong at any time.

could a small stone have shot up off the road & punchered a tube on the front of the rad ?

Very True Oggy.

Will keep looking and solve it eventually.

rainady said:

Very True Oggy.

Will keep looking and solve it eventually.

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pity you cant get it off & to me id pressure test it for you.

thanks Oggy but it's the only car I have.

I have been having exactly the same problem, only mine is being topped up every week with between 1 and 2 pints, just been out now and done it. Got it boooked in at a Land Rover specialist tomorrow for them to have a look. I am also getting a burning smell and some smoke coming from the radiator grill.

I have checked for water in the oil and there is none, this has been driving me mad for a month now, so hopefully I will have a better idea of what it is tomorrow. The car starts and drives well enough.

Please let me know how you get on

Andy

rainady said:

Please let me know how you get on

Andy

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Just got back and what a relief. I have a small leak in the rad which only showed up when the system was put under pressure as it so small. The guy who tested it for me could not give me a price on doing the job today, but I expect I can do it for a lot less than half of what he quotes me come Monday. I expect the rad will be £150 ish then there is just my time.

Thanks for letting me know

rainady said:

Thanks for letting me know

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no probs

seph said:

Just got back and what a relief. I have a small leak in the rad which only showed up when the system was put under pressure as it so small. The guy who tested it for me could not give me a price on doing the job today, but I expect I can do it for a lot less than half of what he quotes me come Monday. I expect the rad will be £150 ish then there is just my time.

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i cant believe he couldnt give you a price on the spot after seeing the leak. did he say wher abouts on the rad it was leaking from?
core or tanks?

oggy said:

i cant believe he couldnt give you a price on the spot after seeing the leak. did he say wher abouts on the rad it was leaking from?
core or tanks?

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No, he did not say where it was leaking from but did say I needed a new rad as it could not be repaired, he has never had to do a rad on a TD4 before and di not know the cost of a new rad.

Just been looking on ebay and they seem cheap enough on there for a secondhand one, even a new one is only about £100. I will do the job myself as it is easy enough, I do know the bumper has to come off I believe.

seph said:

No, he did not say where it was leaking from but did say I needed a new rad as it could not be repaired, he has never had to do a rad on a TD4 before and di not know the cost of a new rad.

Just been looking on ebay and they seem cheap enough on there for a secondhand one, even a new one is only about £100. I will do the job myself as it is easy enough, I do know the bumper has to come off I believe.

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most rad places will say you need a new rad if its aluminium because the older copper brass ones were / are easy to repair. I use a special glue that runs like solder just for aluminium cores .

where you at ?