coolant leak

[d_jay1]

i seem to have a coolant leak, as after a long drive of a few hundred miles, it had gone down a couple of inches in the tank. any suggestions for common culprits? the radiator is pretty much new so it's not that. i'm guessing a hose somewhere, but can't seem to locate it.

[dozzum]

1.The expansion tanks crack.
2.The small piece of pipe that connects to the warm air blower is also another one that gos quite easily.

Just run it hot and have a look.

[andyneedham2]

I had steam from under the bonnet a few weeks ago. Turns out it was a piece of hose running over the top of the rocker cover going to the choke / carb. It was only leaking when the engine was really hot, coolant was squirting onto the hot exhaust mani. BIG STEAM! I got new hose from http://www.auto-performance.co.uk/. They were really helpful and service was mint.

Usually finding a leak means running the car to temp (even til the fan comes on) and moving the hoses around. I didn't find my leak until I took off all the air intake gubbins and had a good poke around with the hoses. Give it a try, just don't get covered in roasting hot coolant.

Hope this helps.

[Nate]

the radiator is pretty much new so it's not that.

coz it'd be impossible to get a stone go through a new radiator. new parts fail just as often as old ones ;)

[d_jay1]

will check all the relevant bits. cheers for the tips.

[Nate]

sorry if that sounded arsey. i just get fed up with people telling me that such and such cant possibly have failed as it's only a few days/weeks old. i hear it at least once a day from my retard customers

[d_jay1]

ha ha. no probs. i know new stuff fails too, but radiator was first thing i checked and all seemed ok. no steam, drips etc.

i'm giving the whole engine a good once over at the moment, so no doubt the leak will raise it's head!

[DannyH]

A black filler cap or a knackered blue one is another possibility

[Tim_R]

The plastic flanges on the front and side of the head do warp and leak. Have you got antifreeze in your cooling system? If so you should see a crystal like substance around any joint that leaks.