Vts using a lot of water

1. Gavstaa Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 Ashford Posts: 198 saxo 1.0l mischeif

   #1 21st July 2014, 18:14

   Hi have had my track vts a while now and recently it's using a lot of coolant I'm 90% sure it's not leaking but only really lasts about half a day before the temp light goes straight to red then I have to stop and add water them will last another 6hrs, what's the chances of it being headgaskrt?
2. D4MJT Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Morpeth Posts: 2539 BMW 116d Regional Toner Sales Edition

   #2 21st July 2014, 18:17

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gavstaa Hi have had my track vts a while now and recently it's using a lot of coolant I'm 90% sure it's not leaking but only really lasts about half a day before the temp light goes straight to red then I have to stop and add water them will last another 6hrs, what's the chances of it being headgaskrt?

   If it's using coolant, it's not leaking from the engine, rad, hoses, heater matrix or in the oil, then it has to be burning it off.
   
   Check for leaks. If it's using that much coolant and leaking it'll stink of hot coolant somewhere. Is there any sign of water / oil mix?
   
   Steam from the exhaust?
3. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #3 21st July 2014, 18:22

   If it's using that much coolant and it's not dripping (read: pouring) out the bottom of the car then the only other place it can go is in the bores. It's a headgasket failure.

   1 user thanked this post: Jamie
4. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #4 21st July 2014, 18:28

   Another rather extreme scenario is it's leaking into the oil via the oil heat exchanger. Another possibility but by and large it'll be the head gasket
   
   
   Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
5. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #5 21st July 2014, 18:31

   Good shout that - forgot about the heat exchanger. Check the dipstick level. If you're rocking 15+ litres of "oil" there's the problem
6. Gavstaa Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 Ashford Posts: 198 saxo 1.0l mischeif

   #6 21st July 2014, 22:10

   The oil level is fine my whole block looks a bit grubby/oily and noticed like the tiniest bubbly appearing on the block just above the manifold on the right hand side
7. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #7 22nd July 2014, 08:15

   it's easy to find leaks, you always have cristal deposits around it, same colour as your coolant either blue or red.
   
   
   If it mixes with the oil then you'll more than likely get some mayonnaise on your oil intake cap. As above, smells like a headgasket.
8. Gavstaa Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 Ashford Posts: 198 saxo 1.0l mischeif

   #8 22nd July 2014, 12:39

   Thanks what's the chances of the head needing skimming?
9. D4MJT Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Morpeth Posts: 2539 BMW 116d Regional Toner Sales Edition

   #9 22nd July 2014, 12:54

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gavstaa Thanks what's the chances of the head needing skimming?

   Get a straight edge on it and find out
10. Gavstaa Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 Ashford Posts: 198 saxo 1.0l mischeif

    #10 22nd July 2014, 15:04

    Will it be that obvious to see with a straight edge?
11. D4MJT Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Morpeth Posts: 2539 BMW 116d Regional Toner Sales Edition

    #11 22nd July 2014, 15:07

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCIOOYpol6s
    
    That method, if you don't have feeler gauges you can use a torch and look for light leak.

    1 user thanked this post: Gavstaa