Engine coolant vanishing and overheating light

BenL

The LPG system will not consume the coolant, it just runs around like the rest of system and running on petrol will not isolate the coolant from the lpg system. It would continue to flow around the vapouriser unit keeping it upto temperature ready for the switch to lpg.

It maybe possible that the coolant is only being lost when under more pressure so by just running on idle there will not be the pressure compared to running at higher speed. The higher pressure could force coolant past the seal. Makes it harder to see the issue though. There should be signs though still after usage of where it has gone.

I think it is worthwhile calling in on the lpg installers and have them take a look.

Ben

losing_my_coolant

maninthestreet wrote: »

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

No sign of either

red_eye wrote: »

mayonase under filler cap how long were you driving with the temp guage in the red?

1-2 miles on 2 occassions

BenL wrote: »

The LPG system will not consume the coolant, it just runs around like the rest of system and running on petrol will not isolate the coolant from the lpg system. It would continue to flow around the vapouriser unit keeping it upto temperature ready for the switch to lpg.

It maybe possible that the coolant is only being lost when under more pressure so by just running on idle there will not be the pressure compared to running at higher speed. The higher pressure could force coolant past the seal. Makes it harder to see the issue though. There should be signs though still after usage of where it has gone.

I think it is worthwhile calling in on the lpg installers and have them take a look.

Ben

Update to anyone interested, BIL had a look yesterday and couldn't see the exact cause of the problem, he did identify 1 jubilee clip that had come loose and fallen down the hose connected to the vapouriser but no signs of the coolant leak. He thinks if it isn't the jubilee clip that it is the water pump due to all the coolant being lost at once after a longer run as opposed to a gradual loss. I spoke to the LPG installer today and they are taking a look next week (on hols after today). Its going into main dealer on Sat for another warranty item (door latch) so I'll ask them to look at the water pump while I'm at it, under warranty of course ;-) (they reckon they looked for a coolant leak when it was in for the latch last week but couldn't see anything, BIL doesn't have much faith in main dealer mechs though).

Will post how I get on, thank you for everyone's advice.

cardinalbiggles

No leaks from the radiator? they will be obvious if its Paraflu or equivalent as you will see the coloured residue. Also, the first time you refilled the coolant it would be sucked back into the empty system quickly, hence why it disappeared quickly.

Jamie_Carter

losing_my_coolant wrote: »

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.

The steam is more likely to be inside the car, and will start misting up the windscreen when the heater is on.

red_eye

losing_my_coolant wrote: »

No sign of either



1-2 miles on 2 occassions

headgaskets dont like over heating start budgeting for a headgasket job