Where is all the water going??

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jt_armstrong

jt_armstrong

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,824
Location
Lake Forest, California
Since I have owned my rangie it has lossed water from the cooling system. It is roughly about 1.5 lts per week. From the outset I knew the radiator had a leak and so I replaced it a few months back. I also replaced the top hose at the same time. This stopped the little puddle at the front but still it looses water. I have not added any coolant yet as I wanted to find the problem first. So far I done the following:

- Replaced radiator
- Replaced top hose
- Replaced resovoir cap
- Checked the exhaust for steam and there is nothing
- Checked plugs - they all look great - not steam cleaned
- Checked the front passengers carpet - bone dry
- Check for leaks under the car - nothing
- When I remove the resovoir cap the system hisses so I assume it pressurised.

What am I missing?

John
 
Is your rangie a p38 V8? if it is, you have to consider that the block has gone pourous. read the pages on v8engines.com to understand the 'qualities' or the rover engine, and it's symptoms. my old one lost water at the heater matrix 'o' rings, they are located on the drivers side footwell on uk cars, its a poxy job to change them, (see rangerover.net) but they cost pence. i had plenty of engine hose problems, around the smaller pipes around the intake manifold, and water pump area. -change them all. not expensive. there are real small ones that 'bleed' the air upwards around the plenum too. (p38 gems)
 
check the little hose from the top of the rad that bleeds to the expansion tank is hot.
Do you have a small misfire when starting from cold ?
Has the oil level risen. Check this over a week in the same place.
Drivers footwell is it wet where the vent points to your feet. Does it smell of curry in the car (not from any other source !!!)
Plugs might not be steam cleaned , but do they show any signs of rust ?
To be sure pop it round to any garage and ask them to do a sniffer test on the expansion tank, this will point the finger to one course of action.
 
rewmer said:
Did you check the drivers side carpet ?
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, Actually I haven't checked the drivers side - for some reason I thought the O-rings spilled their contents on the passenger side. Will check in the morning when hopefully it's not pouring down.

Willos
OIl level is constant - never rises. Also it is pretty clean. The filler cap shows no sign of mayo. Engine never misses a beat when cold or hot.

johnboyairey
Will check the hoses at the back of engine. Also read somewhere else that someone with the same symptoms had a leak which dripped onto the exhaust manifold and thus left no trace.
 
*minty* said:
:hysterically_laughi :eek:
Click to expand...
Nasa have released a statement that from space Pakistan looks like a giant bowl of coco pops and the new diet sweeping the country is the swimfast diet, and if ive offended anyone, GOOD:D

nearly forgot! had a Pakistani at the door yesterday asking if id donate to the flood, so i gave him 2 gallon of water
 
Last edited:
Mate was sent home from work early today.

Apparently, having a 'dress down day' for the Pakistan flood appeal does not justify showing up in a lifejacket, flippers and water wings. :D
 
:focus:
jt_armstrong said:
Thanks guys, Actually I haven't checked the drivers side - for some reason I thought the O-rings spilled their contents on the passenger side. Will check in the morning when hopefully it's not pouring down.

Willos
OIl level is constant - never rises. Also it is pretty clean. The filler cap shows no sign of mayo. Engine never misses a beat when cold or hot.

johnboyairey
Will check the hoses at the back of engine. Also read somewhere else that someone with the same symptoms had a leak which dripped onto the exhaust manifold and thus left no trace.
Click to expand...
My water was disappearing a few weeks ago, and even after finding a leaking heater hose and replacing it, it was still disappearing. After a major overheat which split the radiator, I found the gearbox oil cooler element in the bottom of the rad had failed (P38 DT Manual) and I had a gearbox full of coolant!
 
Last edited:
jt_armstrong said:
just checked and the drivers side carpet is pretty damp. Even had some fresh droplets. Guess that means i need to read up on changing out the 'o' rings on the matrix. I seem to recall reading that was a bummer of a job. :(
Click to expand...
#
easy
 
Piece of cake. Just follow the guide. A couple of hours work and all is good. Make sire the stubs are clean and that you don't overtighten the screw on re assembly. A bit of lube helps too.
 
rewmer said:
Piece of cake. Just follow the guide. A couple of hours work and all is good. Make sire the stubs are clean and that you don't overtighten the screw on re assembly. A bit of lube helps too.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rewmer, which guide do you recommend? I have been reading up on the one on Rangerovers.net but it still sounds like a tough old job. Are there any better procedures?
 
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