hey everyone, i am seeming to have some radiator problems that no one can seem to figure out. i am always putting water in it every morning. i have taken it to my local radiator place and they have replaced the thermostat twice and done the relevant tests to see if they can find a problem but they have come back inconclusive. so i was just curious if anyone has had the same problems or if anyone coud give me a idea as to what is going on.

Thanks Buzzi

If you run it a week or so will the watter level keep going down, or does it just go to a certain level and stay there even if you drive it a month.

If so, my money is on a bad radiator cap, or a broken overflow bottle

By putting water in it... How much are we talking 500mls--2ltrs.....

And what test are they doing as they sould have found something ie.....Pressure test the system, Test the Radiator cap to see if it holds & release's preesure, Do a PK test ( head gasket leak).....

If you run it a week or so will the watter level keep going down, or does it just go to a certain level and stay there even if you drive it a month.

If so, my money is on a bad radiator cap, or a broken overflow bottle

i havent tried this as i wasnt to sure if by letting it run with the wate levels down if it may do more damage to the car.


By putting water in it... How much are we talking 500mls--2ltrs.....

And what test are they doing as they sould have found something ie.....Pressure test the system, Test the Radiator cap to see if it holds & release's preesure, Do a PK test ( head gasket leak).....

we are talking about 250mls average, some days more some less. the tests that the radiator place has done on the car is a pressure test and a combustion and leak test. the combustion and leak test came back inconclusive and he pressure test had a result that it is still holdng pressure.

Additionally what seems to be happening is when you stop the car after driving it for about 45 mins. the overflow is high but not running out. but when it goes back down, all the water does not seem to replace itself back into the radiator :confused:

Buzzi

1st - I'd try another radiator cap, easily the cheapest possible solution besides tightening a lose hoseclip when it comes to water leakage.

you haven't replaced any hoses or manifolds recently have you? - nothing left lose.
How many kms on engine - is the water pump ok? any drips around crank pulley.
Is the heater ok? - no funny moisture smells in car or wet carpet anywhere near you feet.

sometimes I think heads can let water in once they have been sitting around a while and there is a bit of heat soak - whats the oil like ? any signs of milkiness?
maybe a engine compression test may help give an answer, maybe a cylinder is down due to pressure leakage although a combustion test should pick this up.
Is the car starting ok when you have noticed the lower water level ? - bad starting suggesting water on sparkplugs

i
Additionally what seems to be happening is when you stop the car after driving it for about 45 mins. the overflow is high but not running out. but when it goes back down, all the water does not seem to replace itself back into the radiator :confused: Buzzi

This appears to be working normally as when the engine cools the water contracts and gets drawn back into the radiator. Means the radiator cap should be OK.

Where are you noticing the 250ml drop ?
If you run the car for a couple of days, does the water level in the overflow tank get less each day ?
Let it go for a couple of days and when it is cold, take off the cap and see if the water is full to the bottom of the filler hole. If water is getting sucked back in from the overflow tank this should remain full.
Do you notice any steam coming out of the exhaust when the engine is at normal operating temperature ?

any leaks anywhere??? if the hose has the slightest hole/crack in it water will leak out. Good way to test it is put something under the car thats easy to check for leaks.

It's common for these hoses to go, they are easy to replace.


Check for leaks around the engine and hoses, I hope its not a internal problem in the cylinders or oil.


Also some people fill the reserve bottle too high and wonder why the water dosent stay up the top, the overflow bottle usually releases this water, so make sure your filling it to where it says FULL. Not all the way to the top.

(Depending on the vehicle you have)

the radiatior place that i have taken my car to has said that all the hoses are in good condition and there is no leaks. the car isnt going through any oil and there is nothing coming out of the exhaust. im going to leave teh car till friday without putting anymore water in it to see what the water levels are like and then im going to take it back to the radiator place to see if for a third time they can see what is wrong with it.

buzzi :)

I'd still try the radiator cap, it uses a spring mechanism so it may be worn and not be working 100%. It is an easy thing to rule out.

try another radiator place? maybe the guys ur delaing with are incompetent