Rising Coolant Level - PICS UP
The latest:
Whilst the level in the overflow tank seems to be behaving, I took out a sample from it.
I got a flexible clear plastic tube and sucked a bit out.
I now seem to have black bits in the coolant, along with what looks like white / off white bits. I took the sample right from the bottom of the overflow tank.
They aren't big, but they are sinkers not floaters, and quite a lot of them.
I assume I have standard triple steel layered head gaskets, but do they have a coating or something that may be making it's was into the coolant, or perhaps I have a perishing hose somewhere maybe?
I'm also still getting this trickling water sound when I first start the car, it's coming from the heater matrix area I think, behind the centre console somewhere.
Whilst the level in the overflow tank seems to be behaving, I took out a sample from it.
I got a flexible clear plastic tube and sucked a bit out.
I now seem to have black bits in the coolant, along with what looks like white / off white bits. I took the sample right from the bottom of the overflow tank.
They aren't big, but they are sinkers not floaters, and quite a lot of them.
I assume I have standard triple steel layered head gaskets, but do they have a coating or something that may be making it's was into the coolant, or perhaps I have a perishing hose somewhere maybe?
I'm also still getting this trickling water sound when I first start the car, it's coming from the heater matrix area I think, behind the centre console somewhere.
Thats gasket failure, yes its the coating breaking down, & due to flexing of the cylinder tops over time, its the common 2.5 problem, no need to keep trying other methods or trying to fool yourself its not the headgaskets, it is.
To further confirm, extend your overflow pipe from the header tank up behind the bonnet & clip it under your wipers, get it up to working temp & give it a good long stint at full boost you will see the coolent come out as soon as full boost is hit, & stop as soon as you take your foot of the gas.
Last edited by MOTORS S GT; Jun 8, 2013 at 05:14 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Aldershot
I have faced the fact that it's looking like head gaskets don't get me wrong, but I've had other cars over the years where head gaskets have gone, so I guess I'm expecting the usual over heating, misfiring, coolant loss, foamy gunky coolant and so on, none of which is happening to my Scoob that's all.
Ok, arise Sir David at API !
Ok, arise Sir David at API !
Last edited by Hawkeye D; Jun 8, 2013 at 06:05 PM.
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From: Nottingham
They pressurise each cylinder with air in turn whilst its at TDC. A leak on HG to coolant would produce bubbles in the coolant system. You can also hear leaky valves, inlet and exhaust leaks, and crankcase leaks.
*Usually* they'll do a compression test at the same time too.
Costs somewhere around £60 to have it done.
*Usually* they'll do a compression test at the same time too.
Costs somewhere around £60 to have it done.
Last edited by Frenchwood; Jun 10, 2013 at 10:20 PM.
Like Paul said, extend a hose up to the windscreen then go out for a drive.
Every time you apply boost, the coolant should squirt out.
The sniff test is a static test when boost can't build up, so won't show the problem unless the HGs are in a very bad condition.
In the early stages of my HGs going, I spent weeks trying to diagnose the problem as it really wasn't obvious.
The clue is the small black ***** you are finding in the coolant.
Every time you apply boost, the coolant should squirt out.
The sniff test is a static test when boost can't build up, so won't show the problem unless the HGs are in a very bad condition.
In the early stages of my HGs going, I spent weeks trying to diagnose the problem as it really wasn't obvious.
The clue is the small black ***** you are finding in the coolant.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Aldershot
Pretty much as per my June post, sniff test was done, negative results.
Water hasn't risen since, but I do check it 3/4 times a week to be sure. It rises and falls like clockwork.
Perhaps the problem will come back (if the heads are lifting) in the colder weather as the air is more dense?
Who knows, but one thing is for sure, if she blows she blows. Then........... let the forging begin.
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From: chasing numbers.....
Just my 2p mate, but id say the hg hasfailed. Every symptom you have described I had until I gave up and had the engine pulled and yup.... the drivers side had lifted.
The more you boost the more itll show signs.
Defo forge it whilst its out. 3000 after my hg failure pistons 2 and 4 shat their lands..... now running in a fully forged motor thatll have some great potential
The more you boost the more itll show signs.
Defo forge it whilst its out. 3000 after my hg failure pistons 2 and 4 shat their lands..... now running in a fully forged motor thatll have some great potential
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