V8 Drinking Water

[beattiedh]

Hi Guys

A little help from the V8 masters in Rangie Land.

3.5 EFI drinking water like an aussie and XXXX. Not getting especially hot however this is what I have noticed.

Can't see any obvious leaks
After 15 min run the resevoir is empty but any water left in there is hot.
Nothing obvious coming from tailpipe.

Receently started happening after an off road trip and I had to clean out the rad. Think I may have damaged it.

Could I loose this much water in a short time through the rad?

Any help gratefully received.

Duncan

[driftwood]

ive only ever had 2 water problems with different vehicles

first time a small stone had put a tiny hole in the rad, only a small leak but when i was traveling it lasted about a mile :shock: because of the fineness of the heat sinks on the radiator it can be a pain to find a leak.

2nd time was a pin hole in the hose but it took ages to find, it only leaked with it running but as it got hot the water was fine enouch to evaporate when it hit the engine.

not too sure of internal workings of them so i cant be too much help i'm affraid.

does it leak/water go down without the engine running

other then that i'd get some tissue and try and find wet patches

[Range Rover Blues]

A problem normally associated with the bigger V8s is what's called a porrous block.  In fact the block cracks around the liner so the liner is loose, water then seeps over the top, mostly when you stop the engine and the compression pressure isn't there to keep the water back, so it seeps in and steam cleans your engine.  One nice, shiny piston top is a giveaway.

Otherwise you need to get the engine nice and hot then stick your head under the bonnet to look for steam.  If you have anti-freeze then most brands have an additive that cryatalises around the leak to help you trace it.  Look at the core plugs at the bottom of the engine and don't forget the back face.  Check inside the water pump pulley to see if it's the seal in that that's going, if it is don't leave it to get any worse, they go quickly!

Check the ends of all the hoses for crusty crud that indicates a leak, check them for splitting and perishing.

Are you filling the system properly, it could be that you have an airlock, if you don't get rid of it before the negine heats up you will keep blowing steam out of your engine, fill the system using the plug on top of the engine, just to the RHS of the plenum, it's a brass one with a slot in it, fill it there nice and quickly.

[hobbit]

If you know somebody that has a coolant pressure tester setup, even better, you pump up the system with a special rad cap that replaces yours, and the pump is attached to the cap with a tube and gauge.

Once pressurised same as running the engine up, but no not pieces to singe you

[beattiedh]

Thanks for you advice

Will have a look at your suggestions.

I have noticed that the there is no steam under the bonnet and having looked inside the fan cover with a torch there does seem to be a biuldup of a whitish powder. Looks like it is leading to the Rad.

Will continue to check.

Duncan

[Range Rover Blues]

Aluminium oxide is white, clkean it thoroughly and check again in a few days.

[driftwood]

any findings of a leak yet?

[Nugget 4x4]

I run a V8 and drinking water is the least of my problems ie, have you seen the price of petrol recently :shock:  :shock:    :lol:

[coffee boy]

a freinds rr has this problem until he took the wading plug out and loads of coolant came out . core plug in the back of the engine had been leaking .

[Wolfie_]

a freinds rr has this problem until he took the wading plug out and loads of coolant came out . core plug in the back of the engine had been leaking .

think mines got the same problem :(

[Range Rover Blues]

You want some of that coolant additive like K-seal, it will sort that out a treat.