Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Coolant leak - somewhere else to check was created by David Aiketgate

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41842
Sheila came in last night saying the low coolant light had gone off momentarily.
I checked, and the level had dropped by 1.5 cm.

I checked the usual culprits, but all was dry.
Then I noticed a wet pink stain below the expansion tank(on the hydragas sphere)
The underside of the expansion tank was wet, and when I removed the tank I could see that the spring clamp(no 18 below) on the hose(no 6 below) that enters the bottom of the tank was loose enough that I could rotate the pipe on the spigot.
I replaced it with a new jubilee clip and leak fixed. :yesnod:

David
:shrug:

The following user(s) said Thank You: bryan young, PQD44, Leigh Ping

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  • Humphrey
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Replied by Humphrey on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41843
:broon: thanks David- so often we go on time consuming hunts for that illusive leak that
Brings us oot in a cold sweat. Glad it was so simple! You will sleep ok tonite

John

'I started off with nuthin and still got most of it left!'

You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realised
that people didn't like me anyway!

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Replied by bryan young on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41847
Those OEM spring clips are a bit rubbish, worm drive clips are far better, you can get a wide band stainless steel one from MIKALOR, they are not cheap, but are the "dogs B........" :yesnod:

AND :woohoo: horray for the coolant alarm, everyone should have one. :slapme:

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Replied by mowog73 on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41862
Thanks for this information David. My next task, once the timing belt is changed, is to install the B&G coolant level alarm kit I bought at Christmas time.

[size=10pt]Mark[/size]
95 MGF

by mowog73

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Replied by pendle lass on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41867
well done David... good job that wasnt a faulty low coolant light again :broon:

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Replied by bryan young on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41869

mowog73 wrote: Thanks for this information David. My next task, once the timing belt is changed, is to install the B&G coolant level alarm kit I bought at Christmas time.


That should be an easy job compared to the engine mounts (hopefully) there is a good "how to fit the B&G one " in the March MG Enthusiast by F owner Jim Jupp, if you dont get the mag, i can scan it and email it to you ~ just PM me you email address please. :yesnod:

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Replied by David Aiketgate on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41873
I've noticed there is still a very slight weep at that point, :unsure: so I'll investigate further tomorrow.

David
:shrug:

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Replied by David Aiketgate on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41961
Well, well, the MG continues to surprise me.

After re-tightening the jubilee clip, when I ran the car up to temperature...drip drip drip...

So I took the expansion tank off the car and examined it closely.
It was leaking here:-




I also found a lot of minute cracks in the bottom of the tank, ooh err!

New tank coming soon.

David
:shrug:

Last Edit:12 years 9 months ago by David Aiketgate
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Last edit: 12 years 9 months ago by David Aiketgate.
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Replied by bryan young on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41968
I have seen this problem before with plastic tanks ~ something leaches the polymers out and the plastic becomes brittle and begins to crack, it appears to be worse with the white plastics. Mind you, your tank has been in use for many years so it due for a replacement. :ohmy:

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Replied by David Aiketgate on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #41973
I'm assuming it's the original tank so at least 11 years old, subject to heat stresses, and Ethylene Glycol and other chemicals. so it's had a hard life.

Worth checking yours, you other peeps out there. At least a low coolant alarm would warn you but a fractured tank could empty very quickly.

David
:shrug:

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Replied by bryan young on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #42007

David Aiketgate wrote: I'm assuming it's the original tank so at least 11 years old, subject to heat stresses, and Ethylene Glycol and other chemicals. so it's had a hard life.

Worth checking yours, you other peeps out there. At least a low coolant alarm would warn you but a fractured tank could empty very quickly.



Thinking about it further that could be the reason why some owners loose a small amount, but dont have any signs of a leak :slapme: its dripping slowly and drying off whilst the engine is running, then leaking again when the system gets back up to pressure.

For the small amount of hassle it is worth a check.

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Replied by mowog73 on topic Re: Coolant leak - somewhere else to check

Posted 12 years 9 months ago #42040
When I was searching for my F's coolant leak last fall I used one of those coolant dye and black light kits. I found it very helpful in finding my leak (intake gasket).

[size=10pt]Mark[/size]
95 MGF

by mowog73
The following user(s) said Thank You: bryan young, rog1963

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