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Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:20 pm
by MarkX50
So I had my Coolant flushed as I want sure what the previous owner was using. It’s been about 4 weeks and the low notification popped up. Have just topped it up, but if it keeps happening does anyone know what it could be? Cheers as always!
Mark

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:39 pm
by X5Sport
Check the pressure cap seal.

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:43 pm
by marti
Maybe some air was still in the system after the flush....but as said above check the seal....

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:10 pm
by MarkX50
Great. Just to check, I assume that’s as simple as making sure the coolant cap is screwed on tight?

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:10 pm
by X5Sport
Correct. It’s a sealed, pressurised system so if the seal isn’t holding (cracked, aged, not fit for use any more) it will allow the system to lose fluid through steam. It will be a slow loss as you have found which is why I think the seal is the first checkpoint. It’s usually summat simple and easy to fix.

If it isn't that, and isn’t settling after flushing, then you’re into leak hunting in the hoses etc. If the oil cap is clean that means the engine is sound so the leak is elsewhere.

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:25 pm
by henrym3
Usually leaves a stain/run mark where it’s leaking from, usually one of the coolant pipes or coolant pump or temperature sensor on lower radiator hose or aux water pump under power steering reservoir or or or good luck, these things run at stupid pressures.

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:28 pm
by MarkX50
Really appreciate your answer. I’m not that technical, but I am sure even I can see if then rubbers perished! If not it will be back to garage to do a deeper investigation.

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:11 pm
by MarkX50
So the cap looks okay to me (not an expert), but there was a pressure release when I undid it so that I assume is a good thing.

Regarding the level, the garage topped it up last week but I didn’t seen how high it was, but it’s now this high (see attached).. does this looks “high” / “normal”?

Cheers
Mark

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:20 pm
by henrym3
To me that’s ok, if I top mine up any more than that it dumps it back to that level, an indie once said to me "if you can see coolant in there and the low level light isn’t on then leave it alone. The military vehicles used to dump 4/5 ltrs out as soon as they were plonked in the desert. Rule of thumb was to let them find their own level.

Re: Coolant drop

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:53 pm
by Alan Gunn
As long as that pop's up ie floating you have enough in it.