Coolant Issue

[Thriller]

I have a few questions regarding what I think is pretty rapid loss of coolant.

When I went to start the van today the battery was dead (my fault) and when charging it I noticed the coolant in the header tank was sat midway between empty and full. When I started the engine I expected the coolant alarm to come on as the coolant was at the same level as it was when the alarm last went on 4 weeks ago. I went about my day and later in the day the alarm eventually sounded. I topped up the coolant and thus silenced the alarm.

Question 1) Any ideas what could be causing the coolant to drain in 4 weeks, with next to no use in this time?
Question 2) How risky is it to drive around like this, occasionally topping up? Should I head straight to the garage, is it even safe to drive to a garage?
Question 3) Should the alarm be sounding midway between full and empty or is the alarm playing up?

Thanks in advance for all help.

[Northern Bongolow]

it can loose coolant if the system is relaxed from the water pump if the pump seals are knackered, when the engine is warm the internal coolant temp and or pressure can sometimes squeeze the seals tight to seal itself, but leak when cold and without pressure.
or it just has a slow drip/leak somewhere. a positive pressure test can sometimes show you where the leak is.
i wouldnt drive it at all if you dont know if it has a leak, as a leak in the wrong place can be real bad for the head as air entering the system as it leaks coolant can gather in the head and other places.

the alarm should sound when the screw in the exp tank is uncovered, or the coolant level is below the screw if its a haydn alarm, these do a test every time the ignition is on and constantly monitor while driving. not sure about other makes.


this link has some good info in it, and the last post links to some other good threads on the water pump and stuff.

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... ak#p671589

[Thriller]

Thanks.

So not even safe to drive to garage, about 30 miles to specialist?

Think it is a Haydn alarm so that makes sense.

[Bob]

No, don't do it.

30 Miles will be plenty enought to cobble things if there is a problem.

Flat bed/low loader is well worth it.

[Northern Bongolow]

general cover your butt advice would be not to drive it or even run it, but once you know where /if there is a leak you could in theory drive it if its not taking in air, proving this is often a hard thing to do, generally a leak high up somewhere, say on the top of the radiator could be ok, if a leak is near the bottom of the engine or low down on the system any air entering the system will naturally want to rise, if this air is trapped in the head or enough gathers to stop coolant flow it could literally be curtains in mins..

[Thriller]

Thanks folks.

I spoke to Campers Scotland and then took van in after he said it was safe to drive if coolant was topped up.

Spoke to them again today and they have done a pressure test and tightened all pipes and tubing which they believe will solve the problem. Only a £50 fix for 1 hours labour.

Either the problem is just starting or I got lucky!

[Northern Bongolow]

if they just tightened pipes that means that it has the wrong clips on it, probably jubilee clips, these will keep coming loose till they snap , it should have the proper constant pressure clips on it as these expand and contract but still seal as it goes hot and cold.

i hope your good luck lasts forever.

[cmm303]

Ahhh, the clip debate Seriously, in addition to Northern B's points there are 6 plastic spigots which get brittle and can give up the expansion/contraction battle against over-tight hose clips.

Broader question. Should the garage have bled the system to check for air?

[Thriller]

I see, funny that this "specialist" didn't mention it, even if just to have more work to charge me for.

She's due for service and MOT soon and the previous owner had suggested the next preventative maintenance was changing over the hoses so if/when I do that I'll aim to get the constant pressure clips.

Is it worth also trying to get the system bled?

[cmm303]

I see, funny that this "specialist" didn't mention it, even if just to have more work to charge me for.

She's due for service and MOT soon and the previous owner had suggested the next preventative maintenance was changing over the hoses so if/when I do that I'll aim to get the constant pressure clips.

When I went asking at local motor factors for constant pressure clips they all looked at me as if I was from Mars. The thread linked previously, the clip debate, shows that opinions are divided. HCL Clamping was the only supplier I found selling constant pressure clips (Mikalor ones) at reasonable cost in the numbers I needed.

Is it worth also trying to get the system bled?

Personally, if it was sitting on my drive I would for peace of mind worth but waiting for a more objective answer!

[Thriller]

Yeah I had a look at that discussion, opinion does seem very divided on the clips!

With regard to the bled - as I am completely clueless with all things mechanical I may do more damage than good if I did it myself, although maybe this would be a good chance to learn more about what goes on under the seat so to speak!

I did notice that the coolant is now way over the "full" line in the header tank.

[haydn callow]

Over full header tank is not a good idea.......get your wife's basting pipet and suck some out so it is on the full line when cold.
Then sneak the pipet back into the drawer

[cmm303]

...
I did notice that the coolant is now way over the "full" line in the header tank.

Is Bongo level fore-aft? It affects coolant level indication.

Haydn is braver than me! An alternative for domestic cowards could be to drain a bit out:

Engine cold, bongo level
Completely remove expansion tank cap (the one you take off to top up)
At the bottom of the radiator on the drivers side is a drain valve, a bit like a wing nut. Unscrew this slowly until coolant just starts to run out, screw it back in to prove you can stop the flow before it is too late! It is quite controllable. When the level is down to or just below FULL, screw it back up tight.
Replace expansion tank cap.

[Thriller]

The van is sat on a flat drive way so there must be a little too much in there.

Forgive my ignorance but the radiator and drain valve are up front yeah? And not under seat? I told you I was useless at the mechanics!

[teenmal]

If you happen to use your wife's basting pipet and suck some out, make sure that the pipet is thoroughly washed out before you sneak it back into the drawer. The antidote for Antifreeze poisoning is a good dose or two of strong Spirit Whisky etc

CHEERS