ANY IDEAS
So I've had this problem for around 4 years now and I'm hopeing some fresh minds might be able to help me out.
I have a 2002 100 series cruiser runs like a dream basically have never had anything wrong with it at all.....except.. It uses coolent quite quickly, well to quickly anyways. There is no visible leaks, there is never any overheating or anything that even slightly makes me think anything is wrong..
For the last 4 years every time I get a service my mercanic has pressure tested the cooling system and checked every were and can't seem to find a problem.. What spins me out is that after 4 years you would think there would be some sign of something happening.. As stupid as it sounds I just want something to go wrong so I can fix this issue as it's been 4 years of stressing every trip I do, that and always having to buy coolent..
Has anyone ever had this problem or know what it could be.. If not what is my best bet to find what the problem is? Maybe a specialised radiator joint?
Anyways thanks in advance would love to solve this issue..
Cheers
Belly
joe amato
Posts: 731
Date Joined: 21/12/08
go to another mechanic and get another opinion
i would go to another mechanic or radiator specialist,using a lot of coolant i would be worried in case i cook the motor,loyalty in some cases is not worth it especially after going to your good mechanic imo especially if he aint making an effort to solve this problem
Rob H
Posts: 5743
Date Joined: 18/01/12
You havent mentioned which
You havent mentioned which engine or the actual quantity you are having to add but it sounds like an internal leak into either combustion or oil.
If it is small it could be evaporating before you are spotting it?
Try running Chemiweld thru it as per instructions, it kept my old hilux going for over 2 years before a new head.
Also fit an Engine Guardian or similar as the standard guage tells you very little til too late $140 odd from Ebay and easy to fit (in fact i still have mine i removed pm me if interested)
you could do an oil sample to see if it is going there but id just do the Chemiweld.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
poida
Posts: 234
Date Joined: 08/08/05
Rob H is pretty much onto
Rob H is pretty much onto it.
How much coolant???
Petrol??? On gas with dodgy coolant hook up that always leak?
I'd be finding a mechanic who is happy to leave a good pressure tester on it overnight pumped well beyond the operating pressure. This will show 99% of leaks in the morning unless it it a heat induced leak.
Failing this i've head heads in the past that only leak coolant into a cylinder when at operating temp. The only way i've fixed them (almost impossible to diagnose) is to pull the head then it is evident which cylinder is taking water. The spark plugs don't always tell the tale.
If its a petrol with an ali head i'd pull the head. Compression test might point to a dodgy cylinder. Crank it over with the radiator cap off and see if water jumps out.
Next time you give it a good run immediately pop the bonnet and sqeeze the top radiator hose. It should be firm because the cap is pressurizing the system to prevent it boiling. If it is not firm replace the radiator cap and try again. If the hose is still not firm the system is not pressurising and is either leaking somewhere (internally or externally) or the radiator cap is stuffed. 99% of the time it is a leaking top hose or a shot radiator cap. Also new caps are regularly stuffed brand new, i'd get a genuine one to limit the chance.
Also consider buying yourself a pressure tester, i'd never be with out mine. Keep your oil changed and your cooling system in top nick and your car should go for a long time. Just put my tester on my 93 rodeo yesterday and after about 40mins the top hose to thermostat started dripping, showed why i'd lost a cm of coolant from the overflow over the last 5,000km's. 20years and 400,000kms and still trundles pretty well.
Moking
Posts: 1252
Date Joined: 30/05/12
Are you loosing water from
Are you loosing water from the coolant refill bottle(low)? Or direct from the radiator cap(low),as there are are two different pressure test that can be carried out.
Have you checked for coolant stain(should be red stain if you are using genuine Toyota coolant) under the carpet inside,maybe heater core is leaking,as this would be a slow type leak?
My Dad taught me how to Fish-Thanks Dad.(RIP)
Belly88
Posts: 380
Date Joined: 08/02/12
Sorry
Sorry guys it's a 4.2 turbo diesel.. I have changed radiator cap and top hose twice didn't make a difference.. Have checked under the carpet for stains or moisture, nothing. All so oil is never milky or anything so assuming no water in there. Have run pressure tests over night and straight after a long run. Have changed the overflow bottle even know there was no visible leak nothing seems to work..
I have never seen it low in the radiator but will use a whole overflow bottle in 1000km.. Which to me sounds pretty serious this is why everyone mercanic included are stumped.
poida
Posts: 234
Date Joined: 08/08/05
long shot but check the pipe
long shot but check the pipe from the overflow to the radiator. It has to be going somewhere, you will find it unless its going down a cylinder and out the exhaust.
Yep a whole overflow in 1000 is serious. That amount would be easy to find if its going into the oil, it should be findable if its an external leak.
I'd go get a pressure tester and give it 30psi or more and try and induce this leak.
Remove radiator cap and crank, does the water jump out?
Give it a good run and let us know if the system is pressurising, squeeze top hose it should be quite firm.
Is the water pump behind the timing cover, if so it might be worth inspecting.
Does the turbo have coolant running through it?
After an overnight pressure test does the pressure on the pressure gauge move?
collin g wood
Posts: 313
Date Joined: 18/04/11
.
Are you filling the overflow correctly? Cold engine fill to min line, when the engine warms this allows for expansion,if your filling it to the max line then when it expands it will spit the excess out, leaving you to think it heeds more coolant.
Belly88
Posts: 380
Date Joined: 08/02/12
Cheers guys I'll try that
Cheers guys I'll try those few more things..
collin g wood.. I normally fill when it's hot after a good run to the max line..
collin g wood
Posts: 313
Date Joined: 18/04/11
.
Airlock?
Moking
Posts: 1252
Date Joined: 30/05/12
When the engine is cold you
When the engine is cold you should only fill the overflow bottle to the LOW mark.
After the engine has been working hard and is still hot the level will be at HIGH due to expansion of the coolant.
It is possible that if filled to the HIGH mark when cold the expansion may cause the bottle to overflow, thus loosing coolant.
Copied the above for you from Lancruiser Forum-hopes it's helpful to you?
My Dad taught me how to Fish-Thanks Dad.(RIP)
poida
Posts: 234
Date Joined: 08/08/05
Belly88 do you have the
Belly88 do you have the traditional radiator cap and then a surge tank???
Or do you have a pressurised surge tank. I assume that Moking is talking about a pressurised surge tank. There is no harm on a traditional system of filling to the max line when cold. This can give you some leeway if you do develop a leak. Worst case senario the engine will purge the excess although this is rare.
roddo
Posts: 482
Date Joined: 16/10/09
ask your mechanic to send
ask your mechanic to send your oil for testing when you next do an oil change. a test will show up coolant easily. if he cant organize it go to your local truck mechanic and they can organize it.
Rob H
Posts: 5743
Date Joined: 18/01/12
a simple test is the "spatter
a simple test is the "spatter test", put a little oil in a spoon and heat it from underneath.
If clean oil it will get hot til it smokes or burns.
If there is moisture it will begin to spatter.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
poida
Posts: 234
Date Joined: 08/08/05
Presume its fixed Belly88?
Presume its fixed Belly88?
Belly88
Posts: 380
Date Joined: 08/02/12
Nah
Nah mate have been flat out with work and stuff hadn't had time to play with it.. Just trying to drive it as little as possible till I get time to suss it..
Thanks for all the replys everyone
Belly
rocklobster
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 27/12/09
somethng else to look for is
somethng else to look for is bubbles in the radiator/coolant when idling which indicates a crack in the head
Belly88
Posts: 380
Date Joined: 08/02/12
Verdict!!
So finally took it to a radiator specialist.. The verdict radiator is F&$ked haha 80% blocked internally 20% blocked externally......whatever that means.. 825 bucks later new radiator, thermostat, hose etc all fixed so should work a treat now!!
cheers for everyone's input.. Belly