Engine coolant vanishing and overheating light

losing_my_coolant

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

One way to tell if the matrix is leaking, is if you can smell steam in the car when the heater is on. You may also notice the windscreen steaming up far more than you would expect.

Cheers Jamie, I'll go run the engine for 5 mins with the bonnet up, see if I can see any steam, I can't say I've smelt anything or notice the windows steaming up. The light comes on after about 20-30 mile of riving with the AC on, although I'm guessing that makes sense as this will put more load on the engine.

DUTR

losing_my_coolant wrote: »

Thanks DUTR, It was the way the service advisor talked about the diagnostic charge, it didn't really inspire confidence, that and KIA weren't overly happy about the LPG conversion. Is the heater matrix a big job and is it best to not drive until diagnosed do you think?

I don't know about nowadays, but the heater matrix replacement on some cars were the most time consuming task. As for ok to drive? As long as you keep check on the coolant levels and the car is not showing other running symptoms, then you should be ok (usual disclaimers apply) , perhaps the other cause of loss could simply be a pinhole leak in one of the coolant hoses.

BenL

I would get the plumbing checked for the additions for the lpg conversion. The coolant system is tapped into in order to provide hot water for the lpg vapouriser. One of the connections into the main system maybe not as tight as it should be, you may have a split pipe in the new addition or you may need to refurbish the vapouriser/reducer with new seals.

I had an intermittant leak on my coolant and needed to tighten up a jubilee clip for the lpg connection that had worked a little lose.

Ben

[Deleted User]

losing_my_coolant wrote: »

a colleague mentioned checking if the oil appeared to be contaminated.

That's what I was getting at.

It's easier for a mechanical novice to tell if the oil level is up, than to tell if the oil is contaminated.

losing_my_coolant

DUTR wrote: »

I don't know about nowadays, but the heater matrix replacement on some cars were the most time consuming task. As for ok to drive? As long as you keep check on the coolant levels and the car is not showing other running symptoms, then you should be ok (usual disclaimers apply) , perhaps the other cause of loss could simply be a pinhole leak in one of the coolant hoses.

Cheers for that DUTR, I've not got any long trips planned for the next week so I'll keep a close eye on the coolant level, nothing else out of the norm.

BenL wrote: »

I would get the plumbing checked for the additions for the lpg conversion. The coolant system is tapped into in order to provide hot water for the lpg vapouriser. One of the connections into the main system maybe not as tight as it should be, you may have a split pipe in the new addition or you may need to refurbish the vapouriser/reducer with new seals.

I had an intermittant leak on my coolant and needed to tighten up a jubilee clip for the lpg connection that had worked a little lose.

Ben

Thanks Ben, I did wonder if it was LPG related. I've just run the engine for 5 mins and can't see any sign of steam. Silly question but will the LPG system "consume" some of the coolant in order to vaporise it? I only had the conversion done in May so its still under a parts and labour guarantee so the LPG place is probably my first port of call. I've just had a look at a couple of jubilee clips just now and I can't see that they look loose or any signs of a leak, but I'm below amateur and didn't want to start messing with things I'm not skilled at in the slightest. SAying that its had a 1000 mile check from the fitter and got picked by UKLPG assocaition trade body place to have the standards of work assesed and both came back as fine, this was a 5 minute cursory check under the bonent

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

That's what I was getting at.

It's easier for a mechanical novice to tell if the oil level is up, than to tell if the oil is contaminated.

THanks Bob, I fully appreciate that and mechanical novice is well above my level of skill.

THank you for all your help everyone, I will ring LPG place tomorrow and then I think it will be mither the main dealer for warranty.

I'll let you know how I get on, cheers again for all the help

losing_my_coolant

BenL wrote: »

I would get the plumbing checked for the additions for the lpg conversion. The coolant system is tapped into in order to provide hot water for the lpg vapouriser. One of the connections into the main system maybe not as tight as it should be, you may have a split pipe in the new addition or you may need to refurbish the vapouriser/reducer with new seals.

I had an intermittant leak on my coolant and needed to tighten up a jubilee clip for the lpg connection that had worked a little lose.

Ben

Ben, I forgot to ask, do you think if I ran it off petrol for a while it could isolate the LPG system as the source of the leak? Cheers

forgotmyname

Is the LPG system warmed by the coolant?

If so that could be leaking and wont be covered by the warranty.

Doesnt matter if you run it on petrol or LPG the coolant will still circulate through it.

losing_my_coolant

forgotmyname wrote: »

Is the LPG system warmed by the coolant?

If so that could be leaking and wont be covered by the warranty.

Doesnt matter if you run it on petrol or LPG the coolant will still circulate through it.

Ah right running on petrol won't rule it out then. The LPG system has a separate warranty for parts and labour which is still in term so should get it under it if thats at fault.

maninthestreet

Is there any sign of water in the oil?
Any grey-brown semi-solids in the coolant expansion tank?

red_eye

mayonase under filler cap http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/info/car_buying/mayo_in_cap2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t%3D338075&h=300&w=400&sz=21&tbnid=giMxzRHWjJsvoM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&zoom=1&usg=__sJba_IGpE0uOGYv2pFGT6NQ_dKo=&docid=dFQEDIIhFlrlIM&sa=X&ei=o4kfUPzeAeGg0QXwiIDoDA&ved=0CIoBEPUBMAQ&dur=584 how long were you driving with the temp guage in the red?