Coolant issue

for questions and answers about alternative power transplants on the T25, GTi, Porsche,Subaru etc, this is the place. You must register to post but anyone can read.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
lkjamieson
Registered user
Posts: 9
Joined: 11 Apr 2019, 22:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Coolant issue

Post by lkjamieson »

Hi all,

I wonder if you could help shed some light on a problem I'm having with my 1.9 TD. On its first journey it overheated and blew the coolant pipe apart at the front before it gets to the radiator. The coolant tanks were then empty. The RAC reconnected the pipe and filled the system with water. The van overheated again within a couple of miles and this time steam was erupting everywhere. I took it to a VW camper specialist who bled the system, checked the head gasket and thermostat and gave it a good run. He couldn't find any issues. I've since driven it on a couple of longish journeys (1-3 hours) and it's been fine - no overheating. But now it seems to be drinking coolant on longer journeys. I topped up the tank to max and checked the expansion tank which was fine but then the top up tank was empty after a 60 mile journey. There is no water in the oil and as far as I know nothing is leaking out underneath but I will double check this. Any ideas what/where the problem might be?

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16947
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Coolant issue

Post by Mocki »

I don’t “do” diesels but sounds like you have a leak - and if coolant can get out when it’s hot it will suck air in when it’s cooling down .
Time to lay under it with a torch and look for signs


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

lkjamieson
Registered user
Posts: 9
Joined: 11 Apr 2019, 22:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Coolant issue

Post by lkjamieson »

Thank you!

Pinkythelabrat
Registered user
Posts: 125
Joined: 14 Apr 2018, 16:11
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Glasgow

Re: Coolant issue

Post by Pinkythelabrat »

I put a big bit of cardboard under mine and ran the engine for a little while. The wet patch was very clear. It only dripped when revving a little and stopped at idle or off - was a loose clip (had snapped at the back so little tension on the hose)

I also tried a UV coolant dye and a UV torch but the scale of the drip rendered this unnecessary and yours sounds faster.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

lkjamieson
Registered user
Posts: 9
Joined: 11 Apr 2019, 22:01
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Coolant issue

Post by lkjamieson »

Thank you, that's really helpful!

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16947
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Coolant issue

Post by Mocki »

Another track that works is to puff some talc on the suspect pipe or connection and any liquid will track through and leave a visible line


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

Post Reply