Coolantgate

[Tin.tin]

Hi Gents

Having an issue with coolant level dropping over 4-5 days, topping up around 250ml. Temp staying where it should be however & car runs as normal.

Had the car pressure tested at renotec as well as a local specialist. Both have reported no visible leaks, only a bit of coolant residue around thermostat housing flange & a bit around pipe from back of water pump.

Had thermostat done & flange vapour blasted not too long ago so that area was spotless initially.

Now seeing a new bit of residue around it, not a lot though. Which is odd considering no leaks from pressure test.

Im scratching my head as this a bit outside my comfort zone & both garages can’t say 100% what it is so a bit lost.

Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

 

[Louis]

What jubilees are they? Only use JCS Higrips.

Check the heater matrix too and for any damp floors inside the car

 

[dann2707]

Personally wouldn't be using a jubilee clip at all on something that gets hot and expands and contracts. You need a constant tension clip on there imo.
I can't see it being the root cause but it's clearly leaking from there.

 

[Aaron..]

Personally wouldn't be using a jubilee clip at all on something that gets hot and expands and contracts. You need a constant tension clip on there imo.
I can't see it being the root cause but it's clearly leaking from there.

Here was me thinking there are just different types of jubilee clips.

I wonder if this is why my boat absolutely pisses coolant and sea water

Oh well.

 

[JamesBryan]

250ml every 4-5 days is a fair bit.

When they did the pressure test and couldn't see any leaks, did it hold pressure?

If it's holding pressure then it can only really be burning it.

 

[Tin.tin]

250ml every 4-5 days is a fair bit.

When they did the pressure test and couldn't see any leaks, did it hold pressure?

If it's holding pressure then it can only really be burning it.

Yeah not seen it like that before. Forgot to ask if it's holding pressure. Local specialist cleaned the area said check back in 3 days, will ask when I go back in.

 

[Tin.tin]

What jubilees are they? Only use JCS Higrips.

Check the heater matrix too and for any damp floors inside the car

Think it is JCS if im not mistaken had it done at AWM.

Nice one will have a look but honestly above my level of knowledge. Have it booked in again for August hopefully it doesn't blow up in the meantime

 

[Louis]

Just touch the floor near the centre console. You're skilled enough to feel if something is moist im sure

 

[E30kev]

Might be worth replacing the coolant cap to rule it out too.
I had a similar experience with an e36 328i which was losing a small amount of coolant every few weeks and no visible leaks.
Had it pressure tested and it all held fine, the advice I was given was to change the cap which solved the problem.
It must have been relieving pressure early and slowly boiling the coolant off.