Equinut Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 My 02 TD5 has been losing about 100ml/month until recently when it increased very substantially. Warning was given by a float switch I fitted in the header tank soon after I bought the car 21/2 years ago. During this recent cold weather the car does not warm up properly, even when set to full heat. The temp.guage needle is steady at 3o-clock. The top hose & heater rad. hoses are warm rather than hot. The top hose has been bled. For the last 3 weeks or so the car has been run with the pressure cap loose, so the system is not presssurised. When cold the coolant level settles down to about 5 - 10ml below the seam where the top & bottom of the tank are joined, without further loss. I'm wondering if the thermostat needs replacing? Members thoughts please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Not getting up to temperature is certainly a thermostat not working as it should but bear in mind that when really cold it does take a while. Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 20 hours ago, Equinut said: When cold the coolant level settles down to about 5 - 10ml below the seam where the top & bottom of the tank are joined, without further loss. Could it be a leaky seam on the tank? Slow warm-up could easily be a stuck thermostat too. I had success with coolant leak-detecting dye, there's kits sold on ebay for not very much with very bright dye + UV torch, saves a lot of poking around for leaks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 +1 for the leak detecting dye! As an added bonus, you'll also be able to see traces of coolant being pushed out of the tank, either because pressure really is too high or the cap isn't sealing properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 My Td5 uses coolant … If the header tank ends up low your heater will be too … it’s at the same height so no warm air. Mine had a leak on the fuel cooler - I could see pink dried coolant in the engine mount underneath it. You can buy viton O rings to repair it (though the clips are an arse). I also had a leak from the pipe to the head, just ahead of the turbo, again I could see dried pink on the engine casings on that side. They can also leak from the oil cooler on the other side of the block - and also from the core plug part way under the exhaust manifold. Mine is leaking from the plug - and at the moment it’s easier to top it up than strip the manifold off - I’ve convinced myself I’ll be into snapped stud territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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