Help...Coolant Level

[toastedCheese]

Have just got a second hand Clio, N reg. The coolant bottle seems to be VERY low...well below the MIN mark. When I fill it up it seems to go again really quickly.

The car doesnt overheat (but it is rather cold at the moment)...and I have done long trips i.e. 800 miles in two days.

Whats wrong? I cant see a leak it just seems to be using it up quickly!!!

 

[funkimic]

hey cheese. which clio have you got? my 1.8 16v is the same. gets thru coolant fairly quickly with frequent top ups. theres no obvios leaks and no water in the filler cap. its a mystery. just check in the foil filler cap and on the dipstick for white sludge which could be signs of head gasket problems.

 

[cliosportcraig]

There IS a leak !!! check all of the hoses !! mine did the same and it was the water pump that was knackered and leaking !! Fill up the expansion tank, jack the car up, have someone look underneath the car while you blow into the expansion tank (be careful not to get any in your mouth) just put pressure in the system !! The leak will become obvious !! coolant doesnt get used up !!

 

[iPap]

What Craig said... Try strating the engine too, thats when mine would leak from the pump!

 

[Rajk]

check the top of the bottle around the neck, they have a bad tendancy to go there, its normally a very tiny crack

 

[BenR]

If its a leak keep it parked on a clean surface and check for signs of a leak in the morning.

 

[dannyt]

Im having exactly the same problem with mine, I tried parking it up, putting news paper underneath the engine, let it tick over for about 20-25 mins so it built up a little pressure...and no leeak appeared!

And then I drove round to my mates about a month later giving it a good run for about 20 mins. left it on his drive and his dad came home and spotted water trickling out of the bottom!

He owns a garage and reckons its most likely the water pump and if so it will have leaked onto the cam belt, which will not have helped the life of the belt any! So he suggested changing both asap!

Im gonna have a go this weekend! Ill keep u posted to how it goes! changing the thermostat as well, just in case!

Danny