Loosing coolant?! No Leakes??

1. JoshWestCoast Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Oxford Posts: 173 Saxo 1.4i Westcoast

   #1 4th March 2010, 21:46

   My westie has just started to drink coolant all of a sudden and im not sure whats the problem with it, iv checked for a leaks and cudnt find any , i also checked wether there was gunk in the oil cap and there wasnt + no white smoke , so i dont think its the headgasket?!
   
   Any1 know what the problem may be??
   
   Thanks
2. Stevo123 Established Member Joined: Apr 2009 Redcar Posts: 1971 2000 Posi Blue vtr

   #2 4th March 2010, 21:50

   If it's not leaking then its being burnt off. Head gasket could have gone between water way and cylinder so you will not always see gunk/mayo oil. Other thing to look at is the radiator cap (where you fill it up) is not leaking. Head gaskets usually let go around the 60k miles mark. What's yours at now matey?
3. JoshWestCoast Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Oxford Posts: 173 Saxo 1.4i Westcoast

   #3 4th March 2010, 22:03

   lol mines at 91k! so im guessing it could be that?
   i havent noticed any loss of power or overheating though?
   had a look at the cap today and it didnt seem to be leaking but there is a stain runing down it thats looks old.
4. Stevo123 Established Member Joined: Apr 2009 Redcar Posts: 1971 2000 Posi Blue vtr

   #4 4th March 2010, 22:12

   You will only see it leaking after the engine has been ran for a while and pressure has built up Josh. Fingers crossed mate
5. vtr02 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 Telford Posts: 545 04 mini cooper s

   #5 4th March 2010, 22:16

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by JoshWestCoast My westie has just started to drink coolant all of a sudden and im not sure whats the problem with it, iv checked for a leaks and cudnt find any , i also checked wether there was gunk in the oil cap and there wasnt + no white smoke , so i dont think its the headgasket?! Any1 know what the problem may be?? Thanks

   if i was you mate take ur car for a run bout 15 mins, check the exhaust for droplets of water coming out or check for what looks like salt deposits on the bottom of the exhaust when cold
6. RichT17 Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2008 Bury (Near Ramsey) Posts: 169 01 VTR silver

   #6 4th March 2010, 22:23

   you wont always loose power if a head gaskets gone either, water enters cylinder, expands, makes a biggrr bang, slightly more power possibly (probably wouldnt notice it tbh). I work for a big diesel engine manafacturer in engine development and we are doing a lot of head gasket and heat rejection testing atm, quite interesting but wont bore you with the details lol
7. JoshWestCoast Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Oxford Posts: 173 Saxo 1.4i Westcoast

   #7 4th March 2010, 23:00

   okay thanks alot guys, im going to try look for the exhaust deposits 2mo and water, if not il run it up to a garage and see what they think fingers crossed !!