The other day the low coolant level light apparently flicks on and off.We've had to add a small amount a few times over the last year , wife adds "cupful" of water light stays off on 30 mile journey home ..no problem.
I come home from work and go out to check the level three hours after engine was switched off and get a shower (cold) when I take off the rad cap. Have left the car (too busy ) a couple of days now..the "level" is just a few inches below rad cap..but the big hose on the nearside coming into the rad is rock hard (pressured still)..must have lost a couple of pints? of coolant though in the process.
To be honest I am expecting the worst (head gasket) but would like to try and refill the system properly (ie no air)..any tips re refilling without an expansion bottle..where are the bleed screws?..can only see the one (on the big hose side on top of the radiator). Any other general suggestions as to what could be up? Someone please tell me it could be something easy/cheap to fix like an airlock caused when the level was low!! Thanks.
ps I've just had the fuel pump (Bosch) seal replaced which was allowing air in and causing cold start problems..but the BX was much noisier, especially when cold, when I got it back. However, the guy who did the job (Cit specialist) said timing was spot on (..dial gauge). Could "bad" pump timing have made an existing minor head gasket problem worse?
head gasket? standard BX19 Diesel K reg.
Moderator: RichardW
Check if you have water in your oil, or oil in the water.If not & you have said nothing about overheating then you are probably sake enough as regards a head gasket.It seems as if air is getting into your system somewhere.I would be inclined to keep an eye on my temperature guage,and check for any leaks,which may be difficult to detect as the hot engine may be evaporating leaks quickly.I'm sure I read that you can have a pressure check carried out on your radiator.also check or renew the thermostat.It probably is only an airlock
Cheers jmd..you are correctI believe..I wasn't driving the vehicle after the top-up but the wife did not mention the overheat lights coming on and I have told her to look out for these and stop a.s.a.p!Ther's no mayonnaise oil/water..water/oil combinations. I don't have a temp.gauge though I think I'm going to fit one now..(anyone advise?)
I do hope that when I get on the job on the weekend that you're right and it is only an airlock!
I do hope that when I get on the job on the weekend that you're right and it is only an airlock!
Re Fitting Temp.Guage.Two types are available.any of the accessory shops should be able to advise you,but I would get the electric one,should be able to connect it easily to wherever the wires to the present light are coming from,also you should be able to fit it in one of the blank empty spaces around the speedometer,which the manufacturer put there originally.Indeed there might be wiring for this in the existing wiring loom.Try a breakers yard for a crashed up-market model,(GTI or whatever they were called) which may have an original temp guage fitted.
Also you might check the cap on your radiator it may be faulty.You can also do a pressure check on your Radiator, by getting an old car tube,or bicycle tube, cut it to fit around the radiator (cap removed)seal the open end, and pump (not too forcefully)with a bicycle pump.Forcing air into the system. which will force cooland out wherever there is a defect.This will show any leaks in the system (Not a car pump)
Also you might check the cap on your radiator it may be faulty.You can also do a pressure check on your Radiator, by getting an old car tube,or bicycle tube, cut it to fit around the radiator (cap removed)seal the open end, and pump (not too forcefully)with a bicycle pump.Forcing air into the system. which will force cooland out wherever there is a defect.This will show any leaks in the system (Not a car pump)