TheMuppetsMom Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Hi everybody - here we go again. We just checked fluids etc on our Freebie and noticed the coolant was empty.....what prompted the check was the heat inside the car and the blower was not making much difference!!! Coolant was empty - checked engine compartment - oil is fine not milky. Our coolant is more water than coolant. Car is running fine. Thermostat seems ok. Any suggestions? The only thing I have noticed is a slight hiss from the coolant thingy - husband does not hear this as he has only 3/4 hearing there is no obvious leak.... All suggestions gratefully received. Muppetsmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy V8 Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 is there a pool of liquid under the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1968 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 What is a 'coolant thingy'? Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 Landy V8 - no there is no pool of liquid under the car - not even an oil leak!! Car is driving fine just using/losing coolant. gary1968 the expansion tank MMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1968 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 If there is a hissing coming from the expansion tank I would suggest either it or the cap is on its last legs. You can pick up a new tank and new modified cap from Freelandersparesuk.co.uk for about £35..... This could explain where your coolant is going. HTH, Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 Thanks for that Gary. Would it lose that much so quickly?? As you may have realised I am not a mechanic but am not afraid to tinker. My husband cannot hear the slow hiss but I can. Would a rubber 'O' ring around the cap threads do in the meantime? MMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1968 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Thanks for that Gary. Would it lose that much so quickly?? As you may have realised I am not a mechanic but am not afraid to tinker. My husband cannot hear the slow hiss but I can. Would a rubber 'O' ring around the cap threads do in the meantime? MMom It might do, but I doubt it. You need to find out where it is leaking from, run the car upto temp, or until you can hear it hissing, then get some washing up liquid mixed with water and with a skooshie bottle spray around the expansion tank, if it is leaking you will see it blow bubbles, leak found.... :-) HTH, Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 thank you...MMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Could be something as simple as a weak header tank cap - does it feel loose when it's fitted? Try turning it back a small amount, and if it feels tighter, then possibly just a new cap will fix the problem. The soap test will identify where the leak is coming from. It could be that the system is being pressurised - hence the cap venting out (they are designed to do that). Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 Thanks Les. Are doing soap test in morn. Any other suggestion as to what may be wrong if this is inconclusive? M Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Few things can cause excessive pressure - water pump impellor sheared (greatly reduced circulation), thermostat jammed, loss of compression into the cooling system, cooling fan not working, build-up of sediment in the cooling system (radiator usually), radiator core decayed, kinked or collapsed pipe, cooling system not bled properly (air in the system). If you have suffered from coolant loss, then just re-filling it isn't sometimes enough. Air can enter the system and then restrict flow - causing overheating. The system has to be bled - sometimes several times to get air out. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Thanks Les. I can confirm that the two fans are working. I have my doubts about the thermostat as I would have expected it to rise above half with the coolant loss. Will get back to you later on today. Many thanks M Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Thermostat is not the temperature gauge - the gauge is just a gauge, and if the sensor for it is not touching any water 'cos it's empty then it'll read wrong. The thermostat is in the engine and regulates the flow of the water, if it sticks then the hot water can't go through the radiator to get cooled down and so it boils up and spits it out. Two common causes of losing coolant on the 1.8 freebie are the usual head gasket failure (big job), and the inlet manifold O-rings which are about £7 and a few minutes with a spanner to do DIY. There's a writeup in this forum on it here. It's a sneaky one as the water leak can get sucked into the engine & spat out of the exhaust so you won't always spot the leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Hi FF. Checked leaks with soapy water all over yesterday - nothing obvious. Ran her until normal removed cap ooff engine and touch wood only thing bubbling in there was oil!!! Looks like there has already been a head gasket repair done (before us) as there is certainly pink gasket sealant at one side. Will check the write up and have a go. If nothing else we are finding our way round this vehicle. A work in progress - have stripped out the back of her rust- treated, sealed and repainted - in between the rain over the past two weeks!!! Thanks for all your help and advice. M Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 To FridgeFreezer and anyone else. We have done as instructed in your post re Inlet Manifold. We cannot get the four screws on the bottom freed...We have WD40'd we have cursed, kicked and busted knuckles. We followed the basic for only O Rings but have a feeling the throttle bits may have to come off. Will this give us any more access? Obviously this job has not been done in long time!!! Even bought the flexible spanners - will not budge. M Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1968 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 You shouldn't ave to take anything off around the inlet manifold to remove it. You will need a decent socket set and an extension bar to gain access. I recently did the HG on mine and no bother getting the manifold off. Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 The manifold bolts shouldn't be that tight - it's plastic with steel inserts for the bolts. Whoever did the head gasket got a bit carried away when putting it back together. 3/8" drive - 6" extension and 10mm socket to reach them, or 1/4" is easier still. Oil in the water should have been flushed out when the head gasket was done, so someone wasn't that good at their job Put a cupful of soap powder in the header tank (Aeriel, Daz, etc), then fill the system and bleed it. The soap powder will dissolve the oil and allow it to be drained out (you may have to do this a few times). Once the system is clean, refill with the correct amount of anti-freeze. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMuppetsMom Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Yippeeeee!!!!! Job done....Many thanks to you all. Just to bring up to speed. Les, you were quite correct with the over zealous nut fitter.....I couldn't get enough leverage and my husband's hands are too big!!! so called in a neighbour who has not touched a LandRover in his life but knows Rover - he complained a bit about the tightness of the nuts. Got the inlet manifold off and obviously whoever did the HG did not replace the O rings in the manifold as these were totally hardened and perished!!!!! Job done, system bled and running fine - at present. Will do the soap powder to-morrow. Our neighbour also suggested we replace Dis cap as it is cracked and to certainly do the plugs and a good oil change - otherwise, he thinks the engine is running fine, for now as he concurs with everyone else re HG issue. Many thanks to everyone from the Trainee LandRover mechanics MuppetsMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooth Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Solved my 2003 FREELANDER KV6 coolant leak.Put these tablets in the expansion tank and filled to correct level then run engine for 25 minuteshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/151628225077?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649...I HAVENT HAD A LEAK IN 2 YEARS! I purchased these on ebay. $15 us dollars..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwakers Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 and anyone stupid enough to do that deserves the blocked radiator and heater matrix that most likely will be the end result..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxcene Ledoue Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 hi guys I just have a 2003 free lander replace the head gasket the car run fine for about 3 to 5 minutes then the coolant start coming out of the muffler don't exactly know what could be the problem cause engine oil look fine but the coolant keep making his way out of the muffler please any idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxcene Ledoue Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 hi guys I just have a 2003 free lander replace the head gasket the car run fine for about 3 to 5 minutes then the coolant start coming out of the muffler don't exactly know what could be the problem cause engine oil look fine but the coolant keep making his way out of the muffler please any idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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