Series 3 Radiator issue...

I know it's going to throw out any extra, particularly when it gets hot, do you have any sense of what the resting level is with no leaks? i.e. should I be able to see any when I look it or is there any other way of determining it?

J80s said:

I know it's going to throw out any extra, particularly when it gets hot, do you have any sense of what the resting level is with no leaks? i.e. should I be able to see any when I look it or is there any other way of determining it?

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Approx an inch above the fins inside

Ok well it's definitely bellow the fins I can see inside- last time I filled it after a few days of driving it took 2 litres to bring it up the the neck. I'm not seeing any obvious wet patches but it must be coming out somewhere. Some of the hose pipes are a bit worn so possibly there. If I'm replacing the hoses are these various hoses on Paddocks essentially what I'm looking for? http://www.paddockspares.com/parts-and-accessories/land-rover-series-2-and-3/cooling.html

J80s said:

Ok well it's definitely bellow the fins I can see inside- last time I filled it after a few days of driving it took 2 litres to bring it up the the neck. I'm not seeing any obvious wet patches but it must be coming out somewhere. Some of the hose pipes are a bit worn so possibly there. If I'm replacing the hoses are these various hoses on Paddocks essentially what I'm looking for? http://www.paddockspares.com/parts-and-accessories/land-rover-series-2-and-3/cooling.html

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Yep thems the ones. Have you thoroughly checked the heater matrix and connections for leaks?

Sounds like a pressure test may be useful, whereabouts are you??

Just noticed it says Ireland on your thingy. You should be able to get a local garage to do it and you will find out very quickly if you have a leak or if it's a head gasket issue....changing stuff in the hope you will sort it is a bit of a hit & miss affair & can cost you more money than getting a proper diagnostic & fixing the issue, my old college tutor had a saying "do it once, do it right"

Yes I didn't mind changing the radiator because it clearly needed it, the water was coming right out. I'll see if I can spot more specifically where the water is coming from and if not get someone to take a look at it. What I have noticed, just looking at it quickly today after a drive, is that the engine block itself seems to be wet and dribbling down so probably something around there.

A proper pressure test will tell you straight away where the leak is coming from, probably a hose joint somewhere or possibly a core plug but like I said you could change loads of things until you find out what it is.