Coolant Leak

[mrimmy]

Evening all,

I seem to be having a bizarre scenario of coolant loss. The following items have been changed.

Thermostat 
Radiator
Water Pump
Aux Belt
Rad cap
Expansion Tank
No dreaded mayo on the oil cap

So I am at a loss how the car is losing coolant; it seems to be coming out via the rad cap, and the temperature whilst driving appears to jump up one notch past half then back down to normal, but coolant is being lost.

 

Any ideas what should be checked, or is there a bleed valve somewhere being missed by the garage. 

[TonyHSD]

Hi, 

it sounds like head gasket. You will need to look towards proper check and diagnosis perhaps from a specialist. 
Good luck

[mrpj]

It does sound like a head gasket issue, as Tony indicated.

Has the cooling system been pressure tested? Never bought or even used one, but there are kits which can be purchased to take a sample of the coolant mixed with an "indicator". Changes in colour of the "indicator" could suggest combustion gasses in the coolant.

[yossarian247]

As above, unfortunately it sounds like the classic symptoms of head gasket failure on the 2.2 180 engine. When head gaskets fail on a diesel engine there is very rarely any coolant and oil mixing to produce 'mayo', you just get combustion gasses leaking into the coolant and forcing it out through the cap.

[Tigit]

When the car (or weather) is warm, is there any white smoke coming out of the exhaust? If yes, it can be head gasket.

Otherwise, this guy shows how to check for leaks

Good luck!