Wheres my coolant going?

Not long had this P38 (3 weeks) and the coolant is constantly disappearing. About 200ml every 100 miles. So topping it up nearly every day.

Had it in the garage and they tested the head and said it was ok. They also couldn't find any leak. The filler cap was replaced and they put some stuff in it to stop any unseen leaks.
Made no difference.

The other day I noticed coolant dripping from the front of the car after a small journey. Not seen this before so put it back in the garage (the leak had stopped) and they still couldn't find a leak. They pressure tested the coolant system and found no faults.

I placed some kitchen roll under the overflow pipe to see if there was anything coming from there but after a journey it was still dry.

According to the invoices from the previous keeper, the radiator was replaced just over a year ago by Land Rover. They noted about the fans running (which they still are), and informed the owner but not fixed.

Any ideas please.

Sorry forgot to mention. Its a P38 year 2002 and has the BMW diesel.

UV coolant dye and a UV torch will show where it is leaking.

Have you checked the oil filler cap for signs of sludge.

Col

You discounted the leak on the floor was not melted ice from the A/C ???

Thanks for your replies!
Oil cap is ok and there's no water inside on the floor.
UV coolant dye? will get some and try that one.

The stuff I used was
http://www.ringautomotive.com/uk/products/Workshop+Tools/Leak+Detection/Fluorescent+Dyes/RLD2

You get a UV light with this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-Dye-To...238917?hash=item3d4ab2d4c5:g:sRsAAOSwhYdZu6Y2

Brill,
Would one bottle be ok? I think theres more than 10 litres in a P38.

ok, can find plenty of 25ml but not 30ml. Will buy 2 bottles.

The ebay link I gave you is 30ml with a UV torch for £12

Opps, Somehow missed the ebay link. Have ordered it. Will let you know of any progress.

Many thanks.

Heater matrix orings? Weeping but only a bit so evaporates before soaking the carpet?

The foam under the carpet soaks up gallons lift it on the drivers side an feel it

I've had a diesel for years. The coolant system runs at a low level for some reason.

I kept filling it up & it would regulate itself & settle back down below all the markers. Never had a problem.

Rick-the-Pick said:

I've had a diesel for years. The coolant system runs at a low level for some reason.

I kept filling it up & it would regulate itself & settle back down below all the markers. Never had a problem.

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Odd, mine sits on the level exactly, never seems to move except when hot, of course.

Thanks for your ideas.

Did check the carpet when I bought it and it was all dry. Didn't check the foam underneath though, so will have another look. Although when the coolant was dripping out the front maybe its the rad. But its only happened once and has stopped.

Do these cars fans always run when the engine temp has gone above the blue? They're a bit loud and annoying!

parchwba said:

Thanks for your ideas.

Did check the carpet when I bought it and it was all dry. Didn't check the foam underneath though, so will have another look. Although when the coolant was dripping out the front maybe its the rad. But its only happened once and has stopped.

Do these cars fans always run when the engine temp has gone above the blue? They're a bit loud and annoying!

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The condensor fans only run when the either the condensor gets up to a set temperature - to re-condense the A/C refrigerant, or dependant on model year - when the engine temperature goes above a certain figure, the engine ECU will ask the HEVAC system to run the fans to aid cooling.

parchwba said:

Do these cars fans always run when the engine temp has gone above the blue? They're a bit loud and annoying!

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Viscous fan engages at start up and then as the temperature warms it should quieten down. As temperature starts climbing past 12 o'clock the viscous fan should kick in again and if it keeps climbing the air-con fans will join it ... unless someone has removed the viscous and modded the air-con fans to run all the time?