bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

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Dyane425
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bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Dyane425 »

Idling the engine, the coolant suddenly started spurting out of the overflow orifice, all over the alternator. I left it for a few hours, started the engine, and the same thing happened. The level and pressure were checked at mot. The level appeared the same after a lot of fluid loss. Radiator is Valeo, 1 year old. I suspect an air leak. I will replace the cap. Any ideas re: bleeding without having to change coolant? Coolant changed 1 year ago.
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Philip Chidlow
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Philip Chidlow »

Sounds like head gasket to me, hope not, but even though it was OK at MOT time, it could've just let go now. :(

But, on the other hand it could be air as you say... Fingers crossed!
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Pongo »

Take the rad cap off, start her up and if u see any fizzing and bubbles in the rad water then the head gaskets a gonner.
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Tim Leech
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Tim Leech »

As per the guys posts it sounds like a headgasket, have you tried bleeding the system?
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Dyane425
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Dyane425 »

Many thanks to all for your advice. The headgasket wad only changed last year by my regular mechanic. Is there a DIY mechanic friendly way to bleed the system, without changing fluid? Do I open the bleedscrews on the radiator and thermostat?
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Tim Leech
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Tim Leech »

It's the same as bleeding radiators at home..,

There should be a bleed screw at the near side on end of the radiator, get the car warm, remove the cap (remove slowly) with heater on full open it slowly, it should have a slot for a flat point screwdriver, hopefully you should get plenty of air out, top up with antifreeze.
Last edited by Tim Leech on Mon May 18, 2015 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by MULLEY »

Mine kinda did what you've described, the thermostat was goosed, try changing that before worrying about the expensive theories already posted. An air leak wouldn't make itself suddenly known a year after a rad change, or have i missed something?
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Pongo »

How did it look with the rad cap off and the engine running?
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Dyane425
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by Dyane425 »

Many thanks to all for your advice. I'm only just getting to know what's going on under the bonnet.
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Re: bx 19 Diesel coolant leak

Post by ken newbold »

Whereabouts are you Dyane425 ?
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