cooling system question

[Maccapacca]

Drove my s80 300 miles no problems whatsoever yesterday, however this morning the warning light days low coolant, topped up by about 700 ml but now what was once blue coolant now is quite black.

I've done another 100 miles today and the level has stayed the same with no oroblems.

I did have a top box on, bike rack, boot full of stuff and 4 of us on a very hot journey ac on and at 80 most of the way, just wondering if its normal for a car to dump from the expansion tank without there being a problem ? Was I just pushing it too hard?

 

[Lashout_UK]

When you say "once blue", what kind of timeframe are we talking? Last week it was blue? Last month?

 

[Maccapacca]

Checked it before we left, nice and blue, now just a dirty colour, no oil or emulsion, was wondering if the header only keeps the latest, I.e. nice blue stuff and now its cycled the header tank the engine coolant is dirtier.

No emulsion in oil either or any overheating and the fab kicks in and out, just worried about it losing coolant for no reason, no obvious leaks or air locks

 

[Matt82]

ive seen blue coolant turn black after a couple years and thats probably due to corrosion of the cooling system

ive had cars get extremely hot and not drop water, id expect its got a leak, maybe a plastic flange that weeps when it gets really hot

 

[Maccapacca]

Flange sounds like a good shout, I've got a wd warranty I wonder if they will cover the investigation? I know w & t doesn't apply for 6 months but sudden failure is covered from day 1

 

[Dave L]

Any warranty will not cover investigation work. All it will pay for is the FAILED component if it is covered, that is................