Technical Coolant falling after replacing radiator

[ahmett]

Hi guys noticed the coolant was low after replacing the radiator. So keep on topping it up with water but have no idea where it is going I can’t see any leaks. The system is pressurised and no over heating, but every time I check the coolant it falls a little. I took a video of the engine bay but honestly can’t see where the issue is or the leak. Also what is that loose thing around the timing belt; should I be worried?

Nothing leaking underneath can’t see any coolant around the engine bay.

Water pump? Radiator cap?

 

[bugsymike]

If no obvious coolant leak try a new pressure cap.
Usually if that is the issue the level will drop a bit and if you don't top it up , it stays at that level, but do check level frequently and at the same time, usually when engine cold just before use.

 

[ahmett]

If no obvious coolant leak try a new pressure cap.
Usually if that is the issue the level will drop a bit and if you don't top it up , it stays at that level, but do check level frequently and at the same time, usually when engine cold just before use.

I didn’t check it for like 500 kilometres and there was hardly any coolant left in the overfill tank so put like 500 ml. No symptoms of overhearing; yes will try a coolant cap it’s a bit broken anyway and it’s super cheap to replace. Will keep an eye on coolant and pass by mechanic on Monday thanks!

 

[bugsymike]

I didn’t check it for like 500 kilometres and there was hardly any coolant left in the overfill tank so put like 500 ml. No symptoms of overhearing; yes will try a coolant cap it’s a bit broken anyway and it’s super cheap to replace. Will keep an eye on coolant and pass by mechanic on Monday thanks!

As you say , a cheap starting point.

 

[jrkitching]

If you are having difficulty tracing a coolant leak, you can add a dye to the coolant which will show up clearly under UV light. Complete kits, including a UV torch, can be bought on the 'net cheaply. Just search for 'uv coolant leak detector'.

 

[ahmett]

If you are having difficulty tracing a coolant leak, you can add a dye to the coolant which will show up clearly under UV light. Complete kits, including a UV torch, can be bought on the 'net cheaply. Just search for 'uv coolant leak detector'.

Thanks! Will pass by the tech on Monday

 

[The Panda Nut]

The last time my cambelt was done the level dropped a long way after the first decent drive. I topped it up and bled it, and its been fine since needing nearly a lite to rectify the level. The quick release connections on the bottom ose never seem to seal after removal. I will never take one off again. Better to do as others have suggested andcut the old hose clip, relpacing it with s uitable jubilee clip afterwards.

 

[ahmett]

The last time my cambelt was done the level dropped a long way after the first decent drive. I topped it up and bled it, and its been fine since needing nearly a lite to rectify the level. The quick release connections on the bottom ose never seem to seal after removal. I will never take one off again. Better to do as others have suggested andcut the old hose clip, relpacing it with s uitable jubilee clip afterwards.

Yeah I’ve had mine drop as well not this much though. I was thinking maybe level drops after radiator change. Have put around 750 ml in. I’ll monitor it and pass by on Monday will let you guys know what it is.

I was worried maybe a head gasket but no symptoms of the sort such as milky oil coolant or smoke so I doubt it’s that

As for water pump I would have thought it would have a leak below if it was going out. I looked at the cam belt in operation with the bonnet open couldn’t find anything amiss or water leaking

System is well pressured as i had to be very very careful when opening the cap even though i had barely driven the car before.

 

[bugsymike]

If cooling system under pressure that may rule out coolant pressure cap.
Was the radiator leaking for a while, if so engine could have overheated causing slight head gasket issue.

 

[ahmett]

If cooling system under pressure that may rule out coolant pressure cap.
Was the radiator leaking for a while, if so engine could have overheated causing slight head gasket issue.

Yes for sure engine overheated. But it’s the 1.4 and no other head gasket symptoms. I’ll monitor it I just checked the coolant level again after driving it for 30 mins looks ok.

 

[bugsymike]

Yes for sure engine overheated. But it’s the 1.4 and no other head gasket symptoms. I’ll monitor it I just checked the coolant level again after driving it for 30 mins looks ok.

As you mentioned coolant pressure "System is well pressured as i had to be very very careful when opening the cap even though i had barely driven the car before."
This could suggest head gasket issues already, generally engine that builds pressure in coolant tank after only a few minutes or so would suggest problems. With cap carefully removed, if gas bubbles appear in the coolant and possibly smelling of combustion/exhaust gas, that would point towards head gasket problem.
There are other tests that can be done to confirm this.

 

[ahmett]

As you mentioned coolant pressure "System is well pressured as i had to be very very careful when opening the cap even though i had barely driven the car before."
This could suggest head gasket issues already, generally engine that builds pressure in coolant tank after only a few minutes or so would suggest problems. With cap carefully removed, if gas bubbles appear in the coolant and possibly smelling of combustion/exhaust gas, that would point towards head gasket problem.
There are other tests that can be done to confirm this.



View attachment 473793

No none of that. Don’t forget though I’m in a very hot climate 35 c so car heats up quickly and cools down very slowly. I just find it weird it could be a head gasket problem when I have no other symptoms.

 

[bugsymike]

No none of that. Don’t forget though I’m in a very hot climate 35 c so car heats up quickly and cools down very slowly. I just find it weird it could be a head gasket problem when I have no other symptoms.

Do you have access to garage coolant testers. Two that may be a quick guide, one is a sniffer that smells the coolant from the warm engine and detects combustion gas which changes the colour of the crystals in the tester. The other is a pressure tester which is fitted to the coolant tank and pumped up to the pressure of the radiator/coolant cap and then the vehicle is inspected for water leaks, this can show up even quite small leaks.
However the pressure must not exceed the standard pressure written on the cap, usually around 1-1.2 Bar at the most otherwise you can burst a radiator or hose etc.

 

[ahmett]

Do you have access to garage coolant testers. Two that may be a quick guide, one is a sniffer that smells the coolant from the warm engine and detects combustion gas which changes the colour of the crystals in the tester. The other is a pressure tester which is fitted to the coolant tank and pumped up to the pressure of the radiator/coolant cap and then the vehicle is inspected for water leaks, this can show up even quite small leaks.
However the pressure must not exceed the standard pressure written on the cap, usually around 1-1.2 Bar at the most otherwise you can burst a radiator or hose etc.

Passing by the dealer Monday coolant is still above minimum so I can drive it normally not a total disaster

 

[ahmett]

Or I could just wing it Fiat 500 style and drive it until it starts overheating and keeping an eye on the coolant once a week. I hadn’t looked at it for 2 weeks before I checked out of curiosity! she’s definitely thirsty !

 

[bugsymike]

Or I could just wing it Fiat 500 style and drive it until it starts overheating and keeping an eye on the coolant once a week. I hadn’t looked at it for 2 weeks before I checked out of curiosity! she’s definitely thirsty !

Your choice, I have vehicles that havn't needed coolant topping up in over twelve months.

 

[ahmett]

Your choice, I have vehicles that havn't needed coolant topping up in over twelve months.

You know what’s funny my Fiat 500 has always needed coolant topping up since I bought it I think it evaporates in the heat, but not this bad of course.

 

[bugsymike]

You know what’s funny my Fiat 500 has always needed coolant topping up since I bought it I think it evaporates in the heat, but not this bad of course.

It is meant to be a sealed system as long as the coolant pressure cap is doing it's job. The radiator and fans are designed to manage the engine temperature in the climate of the country the vehicle is sold in.
For instance a cooling system for a vehicle used in the desert would be much more powerful than one used where I live for example.

 

[ahmett]

It is meant to be a sealed system as long as the coolant pressure cap is doing it's job. The radiator and fans are designed to manage the engine temperature in the climate of the country the vehicle is sold in.
For instance a cooling system for a vehicle used in the desert would be much more powerful than one used where I live for example.

In the winter it doesn’t really use any but in the summer it uses more. I just think the Fiat 500 isn’t best suited to super hot climates. Even the manual says check every 1,000 km and top up if necessary which means they aren’t that confident about it either

 

[jackwhoo]

Check plastic thermostat housing, well known for a plastic stub pipe breaking and leaking