Coolant leak Crisis!

[Blueskai]

I know there are lots of threads about coolant leaks but today my N reg 2.5d final succumbed to the dreaded problem.

My wife did the school run and reports the low coolant alarm sounding for a little longer than usual, but it stopped. She pulled up outside and noticed the green stream, the smell and steam from the bonnet.

The coolant has thankfully emptied at stationary and at home. The header tank is empty. The radiator appears to be full, but I detect a drip at the top of the radiator and coolant all over the place around the radiator including the battery tray. Is it possible to lose ALL the coolant at this high point?

Obviously my priority is in fixing the problem and getting a proper refill done.

Is this a new radiator job? How and why did it happen?

Please help!

[wonkanoby]

were is the actual leak..as there are many hoses under there which it could be as much as the radiator itself

[Blueskai]

It appears to be on the top left of the radiator, perhaps between the plastic and metal part

[haydn callow]

Thais a common place for the rad to go......fit a new rad and then refill and BLEED it properly.....if ever your coolant alarm does anything out of the normal.....STOP AT ONCE.....it is trying to tell you something.......

[mikexgough]

The plastic metal "joint" is a weak point with age...... mine went last year at the bottom plastic "tank" area...my LCA didn't go off....at least I smelt that Antifreeze smell...

[Blueskai]

New Rad bought. What is the level of difficult to replace this from 1 to 5. 1 being easy, 4 being get someone else to do it.

[mikexgough]

New Rad bought. What is the level of difficult to replace this from 1 to 5. 1 being easy, 4 being get someone else to do it.

2..... but make sure you bleed the system properly

[Blueskai]

Thankyou for the help. Last question. Do I need any special sealants or goo to fit the pipes onto the radiator?

[brorabongo]

Nope.

[bigdaddycain]

The plastic metal "joint" is a weak point with age...... mine went last year at the bottom plastic "tank" area...my LCA didn't go off....at least I smelt that Antifreeze smell...

[missfixit70]

New Rad bought. What is the level of difficult to replace this from 1 to 5. 1 being easy, 4 being get someone else to do it.

Factsheet in the members area on doing the rad. If you've got one of the cheaper ones with a vent pipe from the rad cap blank it off, it's not necessary, as the header tank has a pressure cap & if left as a vent it'll probably end up losing coolant & causing issues as it's below the water level.

[Harry]

If you put your location on your profile you may find there is someone local who will help.

I recently 'supervised' a rad change for a new member. Whole job took about an hour including bleeding.

Good luck

H

[Blueskai]

I have separated the radiator but left the gear oil pipe on until I get the new one in the post tomorrow. I will flush the system with water before refilling with coolant. The bit I would need help with would be knowing when the engine is up to temperature. I could guess, all I know is it takes a while. King Callow helped me the last time.

[haydn callow]

When the bottom hose suddenly goes HOT, you are just about finished.......If you don't get it hot you have wasted your time.

[Blueskai]

Thanks Haydn. You taught me everything I know! (Kai)