Coolant level

[ZAINOL]

Dear Members/ForimersMy coolant level always low after 1 week of topping up. I think there is some leaking somewhere. Can I get some technical advise from all the sifu's. I heard Mercedes coolant is suitable. Is it true? My ride 1999 E46 318.Awaiting advise.

 

[elixir]

Dear Members/Forimers

My coolant level always low after 1 week of topping up. I think there is some leaking somewhere. Can I get some technical advise from all the sifu's. I heard Mercedes coolant is suitable. Is it true?

My ride 1999 E46 318.

Awaiting advise.

bro, send to workshop and a do a pressure test. chances are the expansion tank or the hoses.

if there is no leak externally and pressure is dropping, then you start to worry.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

bro, send to workshop and a do a pressure test. chances are the expansion tank or the hoses.

if there is no leak externally and pressure is dropping, then you start to worry.

never do a pressure test with all the hosses hooked up ...NEVER ...

if want to do presurre test of RAD , pls ensure single part test ...means just the rad without hoses linkage to the block ...

why : some other area's may comes loose ...etc water pump and so on ...also load of air will definately try to find way out and cause more damages to other areas...

this is just a personal experience ...

 

[jarance]

never do a pressure test with all the hosses hooked up ...NEVER ...

if want to do presurre test of RAD , pls ensure single part test ...means just the rad without hoses linkage to the block ...

why : some other area's may comes loose ...etc water pump and so on ...also load of air will definately try to find way out and cause more damages to other areas...

this is just a personal experience ...

This is standard test that is carried out by workshop.

I have not encountered any problem with this type of test. Usually done with the radiator top up with water and apply certain pressure within the working pressure of the radiator.

 

[jarance]

Dear Members/Forimers

My coolant level always low after 1 week of topping up. I think there is some leaking somewhere. Can I get some technical advise from all the sifu's. I heard Mercedes coolant is suitable. Is it true?

My ride 1999 E46 318.

Awaiting advise.

bro, if you got a leak, any type of coolant is useless cos it will leak out.

A pressure test might find the fault but will not in most cases when the leak is thru hairline crack.

The best way is by visual inspection for water stain. when the coolant leak thru the hairline crack when the engine is hot and pressurise, it will leave a water stain.. usually white or brownish in colour

 

[ICEMAN 68]

This is standard test that is carried out by workshop.

I have not encountered any problem with this type of test. Usually done with the radiator top up with water and apply certain pressure within the working pressure of the radiator.

maybe you're lucky bro ...yes i know that workshop standards are such , but that an easy work lorrrr ..just lock up and apply certain presure and wait to see the leak ....but that only applied to radiator works lorrrr ....

 

[ZAINOL]

Thank Bro Jarance, Iceman 13 and Elixir. Anything to do with Expansion Tank?

 

[zeedo]

I did not do pressure test but changed the expansion tank and the top hose....both things can DIY at home. Just need 2 long screwdrivers and will power to disconnect it from the radiator. These two are usually the culprit

 

[infinityKL]

been there, and 1 fine day it died on me on the way back from ipoh middle of nowhere... culprit - expansion tank sumbat!!

good luck..

 

[saifuaw]

Done the pressure test....no leak discover but the coolant level still drop..the temp however remains where it shud be at half way mark. Any suggestion from sifus what seems to be the problem?

 

[drmalvin]

water pump and thermostat problem...... mine solved after changing it, providing no leak anywhere else.

 

[saifuaw]

TQ drmalvin, Will try this next......if the water pump is the culprit, can we detect the leak when performing the pressure test...done the pressure at 3 workshop including Dr Meng.....already changed the radiator cap and expansion tank. Any other view

 

[drmalvin]

good question.... well i replaced everything except the water pump and thermostat when it was leaking.... after changing everything and we did a pressure test ... still could not detect leak with pressure test.... so my mechanic decided to keep the car overnite at his place and next morning , he notice leaking from the water pump as the floor had 2 puddles of water.... one from the aircond and another directly from water pump but was very very little.... changed the water pump and thermostat ..... wala , no more leak ..... since 6 months ago no need to add water.... still the stick is stiking out straight, bro..... but however u need to confirm there is no leak into the engine bro.... make sure cylinder head is in good condition..... Go to Albert Pang, Pandan Indah.... He is my main man, cheap , reliable and does not cheat bro.... Phone no. 0122017792.... mention my name ... u get good price bro.

 

[joeylow]

If the pressure test fails to show where it leaks normally it will be the water pump. Have it checked by a good mechanic. Water pump leak is normally more visible with the engine running at operating temp. A quick drive and stop to check will also be good.

Joey Low

 

[balaram]

hi bro, i am having same problem with coolant level reducing after a week of driving and suspect similar issues, can u let me know the cost of replacing water pumpu and thermostat , mine is an E39 520 i.

thanks,
balaram.

 

[saifuaw]

Went to see albert...traces of water found at the engine oil cap...need to do top overhaul. Could it be the cylinder head cracked too....no overheat encountered since i got the car in May....what are the possible culprits...all the sifus need yur advice

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Went to see albert...traces of water found at the engine oil cap...need to do top overhaul. Could it be the cylinder head cracked too....no overheat encountered since i got the car in May....what are the possible culprits...all the sifus need yur advice

how do you know that it was water mark on the engine oil cap ...was it some sort of milky substance appeared on ya oil cap ??

 

[Vincent Hor]

If you just got your car in May 09 then probably the overheating was before you bought the car. It could be a hush hush job and then quickly sell off the car.

Traces of water in your oil filler cap is not a good sign. It's easy to see as it will mix with the engine oil and looks like thick milk.

You probably have no alternatives but to remove the cylinder head to see how bad the damage. If you are lucky then it's just a burnt head gasket.

Went to see albert...traces of water found at the engine oil cap...need to do top overhaul. Could it be the cylinder head cracked too....no overheat encountered since i got the car in May....what are the possible culprits...all the sifus need yur advice

 

[saifuaw]

Bro Vincent and Iceman...its brownish now im on split whether to top overhaul and possible cylinder head cracked or engine transplant....which one is wiser u reckon

 

[Vincent Hor]

Always go for the cheaper version first i.e. open up the cyclinder head. Then see the damage.

If you go straight into replacing the engine it is a lot more money and you will never know how bad the damage.

My feel is it's just head gasket replacement or worse case cylinder head replacement.

Bro Vincent and Iceman...its brownish now im on split whether to top overhaul and possible cylinder head cracked or engine transplant....which one is wiser u reckon