Coolant

Hello,
I checked all my levels in the engine bay after driving a fair few miles in my 2.4 Puma and I've noticed that my coolant level is approximately 1cm below the full level. I marked the level, re topped to full, drove approximately 1.5hrs and noticed it's dropped to the same level. All hoses are fine, engine temp is spot on and hasn't moved at all and, I've had a pressure test which was fine too. Is this normal?

What does the oil look like? Any sign of gunk under the filling cap or the dipstick?

Coolant can be lost in decreasing order of likelyhood in my experience by going out of a hose, escaping round the pressure cap, through an oilcooler or through a head gasket. The oil will show any coolant accumulation quite quickly - if there isn't any there then it's check hoses and cap time.

Hi Chris, oil is absolutely fine and the garage stated the HG is good. They checked hoses and couldn't find a leak and oil which is a nice colour and te texture. The cap hasn't been changed though.

I have read other Land Rover owners having a 1/2cm drop from cold level and it's remained there, unknown reason why.

Baxter said:

Hi Chris, oil is absolutely fine and the garage stated the HG is good. They checked hoses and couldn't find a leak and oil which is a nice colour and te texture. The cap hasn't been changed though.

I have read other Land Rover owners having a 1/2cm drop from cold level and it's remained there, unknown reason why.

Click to expand...

Maybe try a few more hours, and if it doesn't go down any more, leave it?

Or try a new cap precautionary?

Turboman, I'm off out now for a few hours drive so I'll check it. If it hasn't dropped I'll leave it, but I'll order a cap anyway and replace this one as prcaution.

Yup id fit a new cap, keep an eye on the level if it drops further theres a possible issue if not then leave it be.

Have you got diagnostics? So you can view the actual water temp?

Mk1 Discoverys do that because they can easily trap air in the system due to the plumbing setup (the header tank is lower that a lot of the hoses etc...). So the entrained air comes out and collects in the header tank. A Defender doesn't do that and once it's run then it should stay stable - in fact the level should rise a little as water does expand as it gets hot.

I'd keep an eye on it and see how it goes - new caps as said above and then keep an eye out...

I don't have any diagnostics. Returned from another run or approximately 100 miles of very hilly terrain. The coolant hasn't budged and has remained stable. Thank you for your replies, it's very much appreciated.