Strange water / coolant loss problems

carpmaster · 30 Apr 2006 at 11:17

Hi motorheads! I have a problem with my van and I thought i'd ask your advice. It's a Transit 120 (2.5ltr) 1998 Diesel

Basically I went to check the oil / coolant / screenwash etc a month or so ago, and to my suprise there was no coolant at all in the reservoir. The car has two services a year, and during services I do my in-between checks and the coolant level has always been spot on and not ever needed more than a slight top up.

The thing was bone dry. I assumed it would be a leak somewhere but after refilling it I couldn't find any leaks anywhere.

When I saw my mum I told her and got her to check her coolant levels just incase. She found hers bone dry aswell. Like mine she has never had to do anything more than top up slightly between services. Can't find any leaks on hers either. Hers is a Ford Escort 1996 Petrol.

We both topped up with water because we didn't have any coolant available. Fast forward 3 days or so and both are bone dry again with no signs of leakage anywhere.

I'm about to go and get some coolant to do like a 50/50 mix but why are they both using so much coolant?

ShakenNstirred · 30 Apr 2006 at 14:05

whats the oil look like?
any milky residue

moss · 30 Apr 2006 at 14:12

Sounds like possible head gasket, did you fill them up properly, enough water for the whole system?

Dup · 30 Apr 2006 at 14:14

ShakenNstirred said:
whats the oil look like?
any milky residue

Check the inside of the fuel cap, and look for a white bubbled substance, like curdled milk.

Sounds like head gasket failure symptoms.

Check round the actual engine bay for leaks too. It might be leaking but not directly onto the floor.

ci_newman · 30 Apr 2006 at 15:38

Dup said:
Check the inside of the fuel cap, and look for a white bubbled substance, like curdled milk.

Sounds like head gasket failure symptoms.

Check round the actual engine bay for leaks too. It might be leaking but not directly onto the floor.

Looking under the fuel cap wouldnt show signs of mayo... I'd be very concerned if the petrol tank was mixing with water

The chaps basically right though, have a look under the oil filler cap.. Might be worth checking the interior carpet as well, in case the heater as gone cap-put!

Dup · 30 Apr 2006 at 16:10

I meant the oil cap, lol.

I was thinking about when to go get fuel for the mower at the same time.. thank the lord for the rain

carpmaster · 30 Apr 2006 at 16:53

Thanks for the replies so far.

Just been out and checked the oil cap. There is nothing on it except dark oil. It's black and quite viscous.

I'll check my mums car when she is around next for any residue on the oil cap & will report my findings.