The weirdest thing

[kiwi]

Ever since I got my Kiwi BX I have had this annoying issue of the low warning light come on even after replacing the switch. And yes it was using water somewhere! Seems to have been after 3 cold starts ( yes it was regular) the light would come on shortly after. And in would go about 750ml of water.

Head gasket theories abounded! BUT WAIT!!!!!

Suddenly its fixed itself

Yes I have driven over 3 weeks without putting water in the car covered some 700km and even improved the fuel consumption (cant see the connection) add to that its be the hottest 3 weeks of the year (hottest Summer).

Damn weird but I am not complaining maybe there actually was a blockage in the radiator or cooling system that was causing the water to be pushed out of the Radiator overflow?

Or maybe this is the final curtain call and before you say it yes the light on the dash still works as does the level switch.

[kiwi]

Well 4 days on and still dont need any water! And have been using the Air Con constantly until now.

I got a bit excited when went to refuel the beast to see the Fuel Consumption had improved! 59.99ltrs over 611km only twice since I owned it have I ever cracked the 10km per litre. This was soon muted when my wife said she put $10 in which equated to 5.65ltrs

But given we have established a 10-11% speedo error that about what you should expect driving it on 95 octane. All open road except got some step hills and rather twisty to expect a smooth throttle flow.

So come on guys theories please why has the beast suddenly stopped using water? There was no external leak and I have done nothing to the system since last toppping up. Only thing I can think of is maybe the Radiator cap was not fitting properly (it was a new one) or what gung was in the radiator dislodged.

[jeremy]

Odometers are generally more accurate than speedo's

Have you got a porous casting?

Could the bottom hose have collapsed due to excessive heat and high revs, causing the thing to overheat and boil off some water?

More likely a small leak has gummed itself up with sludge - much the theory of the leak stopper compound. I suppose you could flush the system very well and see if it then leaks in order to prove the theory.

[Brian]

Well, I read your comments with interest, and noted - "very hot weather".

So, water leaks may be difficult to locate in those conditions, as any leak will quickly be vapourised, "I am sure you are aware", but some will leave tell tale signs..

If you have time, jack up the vehicle, with all the safety precautions required, with the engine running at max temperature with a strong light, carry out an inspection from under, you may be able to locate the problem...

I had a similar problem, and I located a corroded core plug on the rear of the block...

Good luck...

[kiwi]

well first off my elation over better fuel consumption was short lived when my wife told me she put $10 (5.65ltrs) in whilst I was away. So fuel consumption is much the same

Now the the main point you guys have missed!

I no longer have a water cooling problem thats the weird thing!

What ever gung was in there has either clogged a leak (unlikely) or just simply broken down and cleared itself. Which as you know with a high ambiant air temperature cars tend to take longer to cool down therfore start easier.

What ever it is I am not touching that radiator cap or cooling system until I have to! So far a 1000km has been driven and no low coolant light. Only problem is the famous I cant get cold on the interior heater because the tap has got crud in it Solution of using Air con works well to compensate.

Like the saying goes if it aint broke dont fix it and well we shall see if things are Ok once the cooler (cough) mornings start about now.

[kiwi]

Odometers are generally more accurate than speedo's

It was the odometer that drew my attention to the error! a differance between one car and the other confirmed by a couple of other cars and even google maps.

That plus finding myself not being passed often and catching up to other cars more often than not.

Seems to be that sitting at 3000rpm in 5th gear is 100kph (62mph to you) which shows up as about 91kph to me. I dont believe for a single minute that the majority of Kiwis have taken to slowing down (insert famous kiwi beer commercial saying) Yea Right!!!!!