My water level in my magna keeps dropping in the radiator, however the overflow bottle is always full.

From my guess whats happening is
Radiator water to Overflow.

And when overflow should go to the radiator, it doesnt.

I was told by a mechanic it needs a new head, however I dont think he has pressure tested it.

Im thinking it may be the cap, or head.

Any others?

Anyway to fix it?

If it is the head, I may give chemiweld a go.

It also has problems with the CV joints which isnt too big a problem yet.

The first thing I would do is change the radiator cap.

If its stuffed you can get a stiuation where water is forced into the overflow but doesnt get drawn back in, it just overflows and runs out the overflow drain.

If it was the head you would normally expect the car to run hot or the oil to go milky and emulsified or both.

You may also have a leaky hose connection, give the engine a good degrease, make sure you have coolant in the system (so you can see the colour, and its always a god idea anyway :D ) then take it for a drive. After the drive park it on a surface where you will see any overflow ( the concrete drive is always good). Then give the engine a good once over to see if you can see coolant anywhere, that should identify any leaks. :D

If its a 2.6 pay particular atention to the area under the throttle body when looking for leaks.

Thanks heaps for the replies.

It is a 2.6

Apparently the muffler had a leak however I wasnt told what the leak was.

Also the engine mounts are worn.

And is the coolant supposed to be in the radiator?

Because theres only coolant in the overflow.

It is a good idea to have coolant in the radiator.

Yer something wrong there. Overflow bottle isn't nearly as important as having water in the radiator. Add some water in there straight away. Does the temp rise to over half?

I have to fill it up once every 2-3 days.

And I do about 200km's

Temp doesnt really rise, unless it runs out of water completely.

I have changed over the cap, so heres to hoping that it works :D

im not sure about replacing the rad cap straight away. you should see residue or coolant stains if it was leaking. but you can visually inspect the cap quickly by checking the seal.

but my guess is its something more serious.

is the overflow hose blocked? crimped?

I've had this problem, it was comming under the cylinder head, not alot but just enough to notice (lucky its green coolant and easy to see)

I would check the whole engine for leaks - that goes for anyone missing coolant

I suggest you have a look at your welsh plugs, its one of the common places where water leaks.

I had faulty plugs recently, unless you can pull the engine out and change the plugs, get your local mechanic to do it.. $200-$300 I'd say.

Id say take it to a radiator mob and let them have a look at it.

The radiator is throwing water into the overflow and id say its as the car warms up.. it happens and there are two reasons why.. The Thermostat or the water punp isnt pumping water around properly..

I be removing the thermostat and seeing what happens.. they see if the water pump is working.. or not leaking..

Goodluck:D

First step, change radiator cap. If blown head gasket there are three tell tale signs. As mentioned earlier, water in the oil. Second, remove radiator cap, with a full radiator small bubbles (like a Shweppes Lemonade) in the radiator and third, water continually running out (like a dripping tap) your tail pipes. These methods are the easiest way to diagnose without a pressure test.
I would also be checking to see if your heater core is damaged (front left footwell) and leaking internally onto your carpet.

Thanks for all the replies!

How can I make sure its not the head?

As in is there anything I can do to check the head?

There is all that other stuff I can do, but my main concern is, if I take all that time checking everything else and it is the head, its been a waste.

P.S: Disagree with DR Ego. Do not operate the car without a thermostat. The thermostat controls the water temperature of the engine for it to operate at its optimine. Running without one effects other sensors inputs to ECU. Loss of water has nothing to do with the output of the water pump. If leaking pump is at fault, you will notice a puddle underneath the engine.

First step, change radiator cap. If blown head gasket there are three tell tale signs. As mentioned earlier, water in the oil. Second, remove radiator cap, with a full radiator small bubbles (like a Shweppes Lemonade) in the radiator and third, water continually running out (like a dripping tap) your tail pipes. These methods are the easiest way to diagnose without a pressure test.
I would also be checking to see if your heater core is damaged (front left footwell) and leaking internally onto your carpet.
There were small bubbles in the radiator when checked....

bubbling in radiator is the best sign or go down to your local garage or radiator repairman and get the radiator pressure tested. They will tell you straight away what's wrong.

sounds like a hair line crack in the gasket then

I'm with Johnmar on his posts,

sorry ego..:P lol :D

As the other guys said if it's the head, there would be presence of bubbles in the coolant, and another way to check is after a drive, immediately check the oil filler cap for milky residue in it. If there is, there's a chance it's a cracked head or a blown head gasket.

Another problem i've seen that aren't hose leaks is a timing cover leak. Very small leak at the top of the timing cover which is the end of the water jacket.

Where the coolant leaked all over the cement in the carport, has turned white.

Is that what was meant by Milky residue? Or does coolant normally turn white in the sun?

Hi

Cracked head ...???

Take the plugs out and see if one or some are or have brown stains on the first two threads of the plug. If there is ... that's water.

Disconnect the coil lead and get someone to turn the ignition key to start. Let the engine wind over.

Do not stand in front of the spark plug holes, does any coolant or water power out of the plug holes? (Even the slightest amount). Thats the cylinder with the head gasket problem.

A good idea to do first thing in the morning with cold motor, water leaks in the cylinder over night under rad pressure, then try with a warm motor, careful removing plugs.

If this is all clear go to a rad specialist and have it pressure tested.

I have used an old rad cap with a tyre valve in the top, then used a bicycle pump to and pressure to the rad and watch where the leaks happen.

On 2.6 motors take a close look at the water pump where it bolts to the block. Look at the housing and shaft for leaks. Hope this helps.

Cheers

Where the coolant leaked all over the cement in the carport, has turned white.

Is that what was meant by Milky residue? Or does coolant normally turn white in the sun?

Nah, the milky **** were talking about is when water and oil are forced together under heat and pressure. The oil goes "milky" or takes on the appearance of thick iced coffee milk.:D

If you have coolant leaking onto the concrete it sounds like a leak from a pipe or fitting.

U say you have some bubbles in the radiator when the engine is running, a few little ones is not uncomon but lots of em or water gushing out when its running is signs of a dud head gasket.

There been a few good suggestions on simple tests in this thread, give all the free ones a try and see how ya go...:D

Thanks.

Im going to try a diff rad cap.

I just noticed though, on top of the rocker cover, where you put oil in, theres some oil around the cap and on the rocker cover.

Either the caps not that good, or does this have something to do with a faulty head?

Thanks.

Im going to try a diff rad cap.

I just noticed though, on top of the rocker cover, where you put oil in, theres some oil around the cap and on the rocker cover.

Either the caps not that good, or does this have something to do with a faulty head?

If its the type with the screw, take it off, tighten the screw a little and put it back.

Make sure its gasket is ok too.

Its not unusual for them to leak a lille.:D

Ive replaced oil and water cap.

Heres to hoping.

Also a head cant crack if youve run out of petrol can it?