Leaking Coolant

[clakka]

Hey guys and girls,

I have noticed that my coolant gets very low, I fill it to max and the next day it is right down, but stays at that level...

What could this problem be??? Is it a blown headgasket??? If so how much will it cost for me to replace and what should I get if i will be running a t3/t4 turbo (or something like that - one that is for mid range grunt)???

Cheers,

Clakka

[Craved]

Hey guys and girls,

I have noticed that my coolant gets very low, I fill it to max and the next day it is right down, but stays at that level...

What could this problem be??? Is it a blown headgasket??? If so how much will it cost for me to replace and what should I get if i will be running a t3/t4 turbo (or something like that - one that is for mid range grunt)???

Cheers,

Clakka

are you talking about the overflow bottle near the battery?

if so, then you might want to check the actual radiator instead, more than likely when your filling the overflow up when cold, the fluid expands and is pushing it out of the overflow at the top of the bottle

doubt your gasket is gone if above is true

around $330 for a cometic gasket, plus install labour

will handle whatever you through at it

[DOUGMO]

check the water line that runs around the back of the head from the turbo,

they leak alot on 32s and 33s

[The Dan]

around $330 for a cometic gasket, plus install labour

You are forgetting the block o'ringing and the sealant. There's another $300 worth.

And a metal head gasket doesn't seal as effectively as a standard one.

[Craved]

You are forgetting the block o'ringing and the sealant. There's another $300 worth.

And a metal head gasket doesn't seal as effectively as a standard one.

ok so sealant is like $40

no O-ringing required ..

mine wasn't done

[Cubes]

Check for water leaks around the water pump, they have a little hole in them that indicates when they are corroded, they then leak from this hole. Much better than having no indication and sending the fan through the radiator.

If thats not it check all little hoses under the manifold and the little one that runs around the back of the head (drivers side).

I highly doubt its a headgasket or what not.

[The Dan]

ok so sealant is like $40

no O-ringing required ..

mine wasn't done

Do they run that viton coating on the Cometic gaskets now? A few years back they were just a straight SS layered gasket.

[dead32]

fill the radiator full, then presurise the system, then wait to see any leaks, also cheak the cap presure while your at it,

[Craved]

Do they run that viton coating on the Cometic gaskets now? A few years back they were just a straight SS layered gasket.

im thinking they do. as far as i have seen they are single use items, which supports the coating idea.

from cometic website FAQ - http://www.cometic.com/faq.aspx

Why does Cometic recommend MLS gaskets to be installed dry?

Cometic Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets go on dry because they are coated with a sealant. Each MLS head gasket is coated with a .001" thick viton rubber that is bonded to the outer stainless steel layers. Adding an additional sealer can hinder the performance of an MLS head gasket.

[The Dan]

im thinking they do. as far as i have seen they are single use items, which supports the coating idea.

from cometic website FAQ - http://www.cometic.com/faq.aspx

Why does Cometic recommend MLS gaskets to be installed dry?

Cometic Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets go on dry because they are coated with a sealant. Each MLS head gasket is coated with a .001" thick viton rubber that is bonded to the outer stainless steel layers. Adding an additional sealer can hinder the performance of an MLS head gasket.

mmm, true.

[Cubes]

Do they run that viton coating on the Cometic gaskets now? A few years back they were just a straight SS layered gasket.

I run one on mine, had it fitted ~2yrs ago.

They do have a rubber type coating on them and it specifically states not to use any coating sprays.

Mines sealed well with no issues, daily driven, lots of short trips so its seen thousands of heat cycles.

[Craved]

i installed mine with the sealant .. havent noticed any issues

no where near as many heat cycles as you joel, but no issues as yet

[clakka]

Cheers guys will have to have a look at all the lines but as I am only new to all this (got the car end of last year) I thought I would ask first.

The cap is a new blitz one so it should be all good, so must be a hose or what not.

Cheers

[Craved]

fill it up and warm up the car without moving the car... see if you can see anythign dripping on the floor and where from

[clakka]

nah nothing dripping, but when I opened the radiator cap there appeared to be a white cloud of steam coming out...car was not long turned off it that would matter...

[Craved]

you get any white smooke out the back of the car?

might pay to get a test on the radiator done at a mechanics to see if any exhaust gas is getting into the radiator system

[clakka]

Nah no smoke from the back but the car is due for a service so will get them to check it then, cheers Craved