Coolant leak

[ArmadaleKing]

Hi,

My car is losing a small amount of coolant every couple of weeks.
Has anyone experienced this and what was the fix?

Car is a 2011 FR CR diesel.

Thanks in advance

 

[Legojon]

Is it actually dropping below the minimum?

 

[ArmadaleKing]

Yeah but it takes a few weeks to do so.

 

[Number12]

Any work was done recently?

 

[gurpz94]

I'm not sure if it would do any damage, but in the past I've used K-Seal (blue bottle). Pour it into your coolant tank and wherever it meets oxygen it goes hard, so anywhere there is a leak it will form a putty-like fill. Mind you I used it in my first car which was a crappy 20 year old golf which wasn't great to start with.

 

[ArmadaleKing]

Hi, thanks for the replies.
Number 12 - nothing done recently.
Gurpz94 - I've seen stuff like that, but wondered if there was a known easy fix issue. The garage I use want me to leave it for a day and see if it happens. I need the car for work though. The only other suggestion was to start, if its not an obvious issue, was to start replacing parts. That just seems hit and miss though.

 

[gurpz94]

Hi, thanks for the replies.
Number 12 - nothing done recently.
Gurpz94 - I've seen stuff like that, but wondered if there was a known easy fix issue. The garage I use want me to leave it for a day and see if it happens. I need the car for work though. The only other suggestion was to start, if its not an obvious issue, was to start replacing parts. That just seems hit and miss though.

Just replacing parts can turn into an expensive and frustrating experience. The K-Seal will find the hole and plug it, but I'm not sure if it does more damage than good.

Does your coolant leak occur when the car is sitting or only when it's on and running? Some of the coolant hoses have a U shape, so if it leaks more when running then the hole could be in the upper bend of the U. If it leaks the same amount when standing still, the hole could be at the bottom so gravity makes it drip.

If possible it may be worth removing the undertray, let the car sit for a day or so, then peek under the car and see where the wet patch is. Then you have a good idea of the location of the leak

 

[ArmadaleKing]

Thanks gurps I'll try that.

 

[Number12]

Search for external leaks 1st, g13 coolant will leave white deposit marks when it dry.

In my car, after replacing the thermostat as the rubber hoses has to be removed to do this, when mounting all in place one nut that attach the hose to the oil filter housing as giving support so that the hoses and the engine move together, this nut got loose and felt. This has the impact that the engine moves but the hoses don't quite follow the engine movement so it stretch the hose on hard acceleration and provoques temporary leaks on hose connections. After putting the nut again this leak stopped.

If you don't find any external leak, my bet will the the egr cooler/radiator leaking internally (coolant is used to cool down exhausted gases before introducing them in the intake). This coolant leak heads to the intake, and as is internally you don't see it without taking it apart for inspection.
And EGR coolers are very prone to fail.

 

[ArmadaleKing]

Thanks number 12.
I'm stumped by this as the cars not done it recently (fingers crossed).

I'll have a good root around at the weekend and see if theres any witnessmarks.

Thanks again everyone - appreciate you guys taking the time to help.