Vt - lossing coolant strange problem???

[phatvtcom]

So about 1.5 years ago now I've had my water pump and radiator replace brand new. But I'm still finding that I have to top up with water at least twice a month probably several months after they were replaced. I've flushed the system about 2 times and bled it through the bleed screw by letting the car run, so i don't see what the problem is... Maybe i have an air pocket somewhere that i haven't let out, but how long do i need to bleed this damn thing for? It can't be a gasket (hopefully not) since my oil has always been fine, never been frothy or discolored, and no visible leaks anywhere...
Any ideas what it could be?

[tezza]

Could be the radiator cap (is the overflow tank filling up or boiling over) or the manifold gasket, meaning the water is burnt off through the exhaust.
Are the interior carpets wet or anything (leaking heater core)

[phatvtcom]

I'll give the overflow tank a look. Haven't really noticed any water coming out the exhaust but what/when is the best way to check, cold or hot? Heater seems fine, been using it a fair bit and no interior leaks!

[phatvtcom]

One thing I've noticed for a while though is a musky smell when using the heater, could that be the cause of anything?

[machone]

if its a musky smell from your heater and your still losing water id be lifting the carpets in the foot well you still could have a leaky heater core it may not be that noticeable it could be slowly leaking.

[VTS5]

Could be a cracked head gasket or even worst,head it self.

[morry0]

probably your heater core is leaking thats what causes the smell of coolant, it could be dripping under the car above the trans there's a drainhole on the passenger side,get a torch and see if you can see any sign of coolant, mines been leaking or 8yrs and im finally in the mood to buy a new core and fit the thing, problem is you have to remove the entire dash set up and de-gas the aircon and remove the HVAC box from under the dash, clean all the coolant out etc to get rid of the smell and replace the core. Ps. it only smell when the heater is on and it also tends to fog up the windows in winter and it doesnt demist properly either.

[vinda69]

Check the heater hoses as that is what was wrong with mine.
make sure that none are loose or have a small hole in them.

[phatvtcom]

probably your heater core is leaking thats what causes the smell of coolant, it could be dripping under the car above the trans there's a drainhole on the passenger side,get a torch and see if you can see any sign of coolant, mines been leaking or 8yrs and im finally in the mood to buy a new core and fit the thing, problem is you have to remove the entire dash set up and de-gas the aircon and remove the HVAC box from under the dash, clean all the coolant out etc to get rid of the smell and replace the core. Ps. it only smell when the heater is on and it also tends to fog up the windows in winter and it doesnt demist properly either.

You're probably on the dot there mate because it does fog up a lot also during winter plus the smell, but as Vinda69 said hopefully it could just be the hoses are maybe old and cracked etc... The demister has always worked fine no worries. Fingers crossed it's not the heater core, looks like hell of a job to do and I'd probably be out of pocket a fair bit to get someone to do it. I'll have a look at the drain-hole and see what i find.
Thanks for the feedback champ ;-)

Another thing to mention, if it was the heater core would the heater be working fine still? I was using it the other night on number 3 for a fair bit and it doesn't seem to lose any heat...

[monkeys437]

Any oily sludge in the coolant? It could be a manifold gasket, that's where my coolant was disappearing.

[morry0]

Your heater will still work ok even if its leaking, mines always leaked and still works it just stinks that bad that i hardly ever use it especially if i have passengers cos they hate the smell.it seems to be a common problem with heater cores leaking as the design of the original core is poor, has a flange and o-ring set up on the pipes in the core and they leak over time, if you get a new one make sure you get one with pipes that are welded to the core tanks.

You're probably on the dot there mate because it does fog up a lot also during winter plus the smell, but as Vinda69 said hopefully it could just be the hoses are maybe old and cracked etc... The demister has always worked fine no worries. Fingers crossed it's not the heater core, looks like hell of a job to do and I'd probably be out of pocket a fair bit to get someone to do it. I'll have a look at the drain-hole and see what i find.
Thanks for the feedback champ ;-)

Another thing to mention, if it was the heater core would the heater be working fine still? I was using it the other night on number 3 for a fair bit and it doesn't seem to lose any heat...

[som]

Be optimistic! Buy a new radiator cap and see if by a stroke of good luck that will solve your problem.

[rockie]

mine had the same problem then it overheated lost coolant the best way to stop it is to replace the heater core bitch of a job till you can aford it by pass the
heater no heat during winter but a/c stillworks ok just unplug the hoses to the heater under the bonnet drivers side connect both hoses with an adaptor
togeather smell will go away no leaks if your heater core is on its way out it will flood the front inside of your car and its a bitch to clean ok

[phatvtcom]

My problem persists but now I have other symptoms. As of recent I've been having really rough idles when at stand still and also some backfiring. Another thing is when I'm driving just doing 60 or so it feels like my car is going to cut out, kind of like a rough shuddering feeling along with a very quiet popping sound from the exhaust. I'm also still losing coolant. Can I narrow this problem down at all?

[monkeys437]

Manifold or head gaskets?

[phatvtcom]

That's what i was thinking. Hopefully its a manifold but do the syptoms match up?

[phatvtcom]

I know that either gasket could be the issue at this stage but there's some other things that have came up that might lead to something else to cause the loss of coolant and backfiring... I've attached some images. Firstly it seems ive got rust in my throttle body when i noticed it the other day while cleaning it out. Don't have a clue where this came from... Secondly when it backfires luckily it doesn't blow the airbox apart but instead this little black plug underneather the throttle body comes flying off (See image). I've cable tied it up so i don't lose it. When the plug is not on the car pretty much runs like horse **it. Any ideas what these could lead to or just the same as either gasket? Thanks for the help so far guys really appreciate it :-)

[illlusion]

is the car on LPG that plug that comes off will cause a huge vacuum leak hence why is runs rough im sure that plug is suposed to have a hose on the end of it but could be wrong been a few years since i have had a ecotechas for the trottle body it looks like oil residue fairly common on them get some throttle body cleaner and give it a clean out and clean the iac valve the one on top of the throttle body

[phatvtcom]

Yeah running on LPG mate. Nah never had a hose attached to it i think it's meant to be like that but not 100% sure... I think you're right about the oil residue, gave it a good clean looking sweet now. Cheers

[illlusion]

back fires are so normal with lpg ecotechs need to make sure u have good leads and spark plugs are gapped correctly and every 20,000km change the plugs does help i had lpg ecotech and blew many a air box off

[phatvtcom]

back fires are so normal with lpg ecotechs need to make sure u have good leads and spark plugs are gapped correctly and every 20,000km change the plugs does help i had lpg ecotech and blew many a air box off

Yeah thats very true they do backfire, although i've changed my spark plugs about 3000km ago and new leads so it can't be that plus the loss of coolant... It only backfires usually when it's cold like in the mornings.

[phatvtcom]

So im going to start with some things that may help the problem. I'll check the leads and plugs just to be sure but they've only done 5000km so i dont think that would be a problem plus the gaps are correct. I'll degrease the engine so it will make it a lot easier to spot anything. But what i have notice just yesterday is the bottom of the thermostat housing seems to have the slightest leak in it, lierally a tiny hole coming through the gasket thats bubbling up but its not exactly leaking fluid just looks like air so i'll change that too. I just don't want to start on the manifold gasket spending hours taking it apart if its not that...