coolant loss....

......on me '99 td5, done all the usual checks, no obvious leaks, oil on dipstick looks good, took oil filler cap off, just a few specks of moisture inside, no gunge, done loads of searches on the forum and came up with worst case scenario...head gasket . what do you reckon next move should be, pressure testing? she still starts on the button and seemsto be running ok
cheers
nige

How much is it loosing ?

Check the bottom of the radiator where the ali core section meets the plastic end caps, a common leak point.

Other places to check, the top coolant hose where it joins the head by the EGR pipe, VERY common to leak there, but it "boils" off quickly so not obvious to see, usually requires the pipe removing, cleaning the ali pipe adapter and refitting with a jubilee clip as opposed to the stupid spring clamp. This is best checked when engine up to temp, give the pipe a good squeeze in that area, you may see it drip

Also the fuel cooler is common to leak, and that usually leaks from the front face, but quite common to leak when the engine is cooler and NOT running - or just turned off. Evidence is usually around the pipes below it and in the right hand engine mounting.

when did you last check the coolant?

U P, it's dropping about half an inch every 50 miles

ratty, check every week and i've been checkin every day for the last week after i came home from last 100 mile trip noticing that the heater seemed cold, looked at coolant..nearly empty! been toppin up with OAT coolant ever since.

Take the header cap off run it and see if its frothy, any white smoke.
Mine was a sneaky one as it was the block and not the head.

It doesn't sound as bad as mine was, i was topping up with between 4 and 5 litres every 2/3 days.