Topping Up Water Monthly?

[tongsatriani]

Dear All,It seems I'm topping up my radiator with water on a monthly basis. The warning flashes when I was about to start the car, check on it, the cylinder is empty. Top up approx. 1.5 litre. Is it normal to dry up that way? :unsure:

 

[kawei]

I don't think its normal.

 

[bmwky]

you have a leakage somewhere in the cooling system. Use a torchligh and run through all the hoses and components. look for tale tell signs of evaporated coolant residue.

 

[willie]

any history of high water temperature???? like in the red zone??

 

[flash]

Nope, not normal. You definitely have a leakage somewhere. Check the obvious and easy stuff first i.e. leakages from the expansion tank, radiator, hoses.

If that fails to reveal the problem, then get your mech to do the radiator compression test but make sure the engine is cold. From past experiences, when the engine is hot, we have almost always fail to detect the leaks.

In my case, I was loosing 1/2 liter a week. There was a crack on the lower part of the expansion tank. Changed the radiator. Did not leak as much, about 50cc a week but I was still not satisfied. Turned out that the radiator cap was allowing some water evaporation/leakage. Now I hardly have to top up. Peace of mind. :yahoo:

 

[tongsatriani]

No idea on "red zone" as the car is new to me, just a month old. But so far, no "red zone" yet. Gauge is normal. Thanks for the advise. I'll check on all that have been pointed out...

 

[Vincent Hor]

Remember to bleed the cooling system.

 

[tongsatriani]

Originally posted by Vincent Hor@Aug 24 2005, 10:04 PM
Remember to bleed the cooling system.

What is "bleed"?

 

[jarance]

change all the rubber hoses. There should be about 6 to 7 of them.

some of the rubber hose are hidden at the back of the engine.

 

[OSFlanker]

There is also one hose that runs right on top of the engine. But before you do all that, just buy a new radiator cap first. See if the problem persists.

 

[et5]

aiyo my radiator exploded yesterday..luckily could limp home nearby..have to change the whole blardy thing today for piece of mind...eee cipek :cry: :cry: :cry:

 

[Vincent Hor]

sorry, bleeding cooling system means removing air pockets within the system. This procedures is necessary when there is a total loss of coolant in the expansion tank.

 

[Mikeong]

Originally posted by tongsatriani@Aug 23 2005, 11:11 PM
Dear All,

It seems I'm topping up my radiator with water on a monthly basis. The warning flashes when I was about to start the car, check on it, the cylinder is empty. Top up approx. 1.5 litre. Is it normal to dry up that way? :unsure:

Hope its not the cyclinder head crack.

 

[chairoger]

Like what the rest of the sifus said, definitely not normal. I tend to agree with OSFlanker,change the radiator cap first cause from experience,even the rubber linings of the cap tend to be brittle after some time and this will cause water to evaporate through the rubber cracks in the cap. If problem still persist,its check up/service time! h34r:

 

[sideways]

i would think it would be a hidden hose..........in time it hardens n tends to have slow leaks..........if radiator cap it would usually show cos its out in the open............bleeding is good tho...........its a small round plastic bolt situated beside ur radiator cap...........open it n fill ur radiator from the usual place where u fill water till water comes out n no more bubbles come out then shut it n its done!!

 

[willie]

so actually how often u guys top up ur radiators?? hardly means once a year or once in a month??? and each time top up how much???

i noticed that everytime i top up to the max. line, then go for a drive the level will go up a bit..... then when u let the engine cold down (to blue zone) then water level will go to a level slightly lower then the max line, then it will stay static at that level, never at max line, why like that ah???

 

[tongsatriani]

Thanks All Sifus! Will check on cap, hoses & do "bleeding". Wah! "bleeding" so simple ah? Just unbolt, pour & presto?! Hi, Sideways...how ya doin, mate?

 

[sideways]

Originally posted by tongsatriani@Aug 25 2005, 01:56 AM
Thanks All Sifus! Will check on cap, hoses & do "bleeding". Wah! "bleeding" so simple ah? Just unbolt, pour & presto?! Hi, Sideways...how ya doin, mate?

not too bad matey.................surviving the cold here!! hows ur udm besides the water problem? usually the radiator doesnt give any problems at all untill its spoilt..............well dats what mine and a few others had!

 

[tongsatriani]

My UDM is just perfect! No regrets taking ur advises! Got the shocks on, a bit stiff as compared before but better handling. No worries mate, the "precious" thingies are safe with me . Will take good care of it. Learn a lot @ Showru TT. Just need to touch up a bit on this "water" problem. I reckon & hope it is not something major.

By the way, should I mix a bit of coolant as the water in the refilling cylinder is clear. :unsure:

 

[Vincent Hor]

The bleed screw is located at the thermostat housing. Loosen it using a spanner (6 or 8) until you see coolant flowing out. Top up the expansion tank and keep a watch at the flowing coolant. You will see bubbles. The system is completely bled when there are no more bubbles or when you see a constant flow of coolant.

Sometimes when you loosen the screw, there is no coolant flowing out. This is because the passage is blocked by rust stains. Use a rigid wire to clear the passage and the coolant will flow out.

This bleeding procedure is often overlooked by many including mechanics. Failure to do this procedure usually results in the engine running HOT.