My puma squirted again

[labrado]

Hi fellow members
A few weeks ago my puma had a buggered coolant thermostat, which caused coolant being sprouted all over the engine bay and engine limp mode. I had it replaced and carried out a coolant bleeding. During the bleeding I found a leakage around the heater control valve where the hose is clamped. Then I re-secured the clamp and thought all should be good.
Yesterday my puma clocked 110,000kms, I did a fluid level check and found coolant leakage at the same place. Then I installed a additional hose clamp bought from bunnings, see the pic below, the red bit.
https://plus.google.com/photos/107271128731062773198/albums/6009478285294266977/6009478385384033250?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0&pid=6009478385384033250&oid=107271128731062773198https://plus.google.com/photos/107271128731062773198/albums/6009478285294266977/6009478385384033250?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0&pid=6009478385384033250&oid=107271128731062773198

As of yesterday, the coolant was at the cold level and no pressure built in(I released the pressure by loosening the cap).

Today I had a drive in the puma for about 40kms and when I parked it at home I found steam coming out from the engine bay. Opened the bonnet immediately and saw the coolant had been sprouted again. But the temp gauge was well in the middle and my obd scanner indicated 88 degrees Celsius.
https://plus.google.com/photos/107271128731062773198/albums/6009478285294266977/6009478449361625714?hl=en-GB&partnerid=gplp0&pid=6009478449361625714&oid=107271128731062773198

Can anyone explain a bit what could have caused this? The drive is a mixture of some 100km/h eastern freeway cruise and some 60km/h roads. The cabin heater was turned to max during the whole drive and air-con kicked in for the last few km.

Thanks
Wei

[Jazzman]

Maybe it is building up too much pressure. You radiator cap might be buggered or the radiator blocked.

[labrado]

Maybe it is building up too much pressure. You radiator cap might be buggered or the radiator blocked.

I replaced the cap as well when I got the thermostat done, should a new cap just be lasting for a few weeks? :mad:
Radiator is unlikely to be blocked as I haven't been on any dirt roads for 4 months, not even to mention tracks:(. The puma has been washed 3-4 times within the past 4 months and especially the radiator. Anyway, I'll check the radiator again tmr and wash it if neccessary.

[Don 130]

A friend has had his 90 in the 'dealers' (syd) since Feb. They still haven't decided what's wrong with it.
Don.

[manofaus]

Head gasket perhaps. Fill it up and let it idle and with the cap removed you might see bubbles coming up when cold.

[labrado]

Head gasket perhaps. Fill it up and let it idle and with the cap removed you might see bubbles coming up when cold.
Hi,
Are you saying the gas escaping from the combustion chamber to the coolant circuit thru the gasket??:confused: That sounds scary to me.

[Disco Muppet]

Hang onto it, I hear that's quite uncommon :p

In all seriousness, let the dealer sort it out, or get a professional opinion.
There have been a few issues with Pumas doing funny things with coolant.

[manofaus]

The only reason I suggest it is because I have seen it before. Not because I know it's a fault with landrovers engines. Its a simple check.

[jddisco200tdi]

The coolant leak at the heater tap is most likely coming from the part that pivots which the cable connects to. Replace heater tap to fix. When my heater tap leaked it was worse with the heater set to hot.
Maybe this is letting air in and causing the other problems?

HTH

John D Defender 110 2.4

[n plus one]

Bit of a known issue with Pumas:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/153733-part-leaking-puma.html

[Chops]

I've just clicked over 80k on my 2.4, and have no known leaking issues, however, I do have quite a loud "gurgling" sound coming from behind the dash in the middle.
To me, I would think it has an air pocket in there somewhere (??)

She goes in for some other warranty work tonight, but unsure if I want them messing with it, as I don't need a hassle with it later on.

[PAT303]

There's a thread on Defender2 about a similar issue,it was a relay fault. Pat

[labrado]

The only reason I suggest it is because I have seen it before. Not because I know it's a fault with landrovers engines. Its a simple check.

I did it this morning and afternoon, thanks to the location of expansion tank, I was unable to see the coolant surface. but I put my palm around the opening and didn't feel any gas flow, so I assume no bubbles coming out.
Going to see my mechanic tmr.

[labrado]

The coolant leak at the heater tap is most likely coming from the part that pivots which the cable connects to. Replace heater tap to fix. When my heater tap leaked it was worse with the heater set to hot.
Maybe this is letting air in and causing the other problems?

HTH

John D Defender 110 2.4

Mine is leaking thru the hose, I saw dripping coolant from the hose where I installed the red clamp. Even worse the drips were collected by the sponge between air inlet duct and Air intake and blower assembly.

Now I suspect the built-up pressure in the cooling system forces coolant to leak thru some weak points in the system, in this case, either the cap or the hose. Once I secured the hose, the pressure has to be released through the cap. Anyway, pressure test tmr, fingers crossed.

[labrado]

Bit of a known issue with Pumas:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/153733-part-leaking-puma.html

Thanks n+1, read this thread last night. It's not as terrifying as this one Defender Puma overheating ????....... - 4x4 Community Forum (http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php't=100817)

[labrado]

I've just clicked over 80k on my 2.4, and have no known leaking issues, however, I do have quite a loud "gurgling" sound coming from behind the dash in the middle.
To me, I would think it has an air pocket in there somewhere (??)

She goes in for some other warranty work tonight, but unsure if I want them messing with it, as I don't need a hassle with it later on.

some times you just don't realise it's leaking. I remembered not long after my ownership of this puma, I started smelling something around the engine bay every time I stopped for a break on my long distance trips. I just thought it was the smell of overheated wires or some sort plastic and leave everything to the dealer, from memory, they replaced the cap a couple of times. Now I'm quite sure that smell is the coolant vapour.
Today I drove my puma to the office with a very light right foot and after I pulled over in the park, bonnet popped up, I heard hissing sound around the cap, the sound of steam leaking thru the one-way valve, no squirting though.

[labrado]

There's a thread on Defender2 about a similar issue,it was a relay fault. Pat
Hi Pat,
Do you remember any key words of that thread? I did a search on defender2, but to no avail.
Thanks

[PAT303]

Have a look at the TDCi section,it's a current thread. Pat

[Muddy Boots]

How did it go with the mechanic?

[labrado]

How did it go with the mechanic?

Finally I sorted out what's wrong with my puma, the culprit is a stuffed EGR, no DTC found though. I've been suffering the overheating for quite a while, I even sent the truck in for a radiator flush, but it didn't help at all:(. The temperature still hops to over 100 degrees Celsius on hills or high gears cruising.

Tonight before leaving my office, I unplugged the EGR and the temp was well under 96 degree Cel all the way home, it stayed at 90 degrees Celsius when cruising and reached 96 on hills. I don't know exactly how the EGR plays its part in the overheating, I suspect it is not fully closed when engine load is high and makes the engine burn more fuel.

For those suffering overheating problems, check your EGR if there's no obvious problem in the cooling system.
Happy now:D

[chook73]

Thanks n+1, read this thread last night. It's not as terrifying as this one Defender Puma overheating ????....... - 4x4 Community Forum (http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php't=100817)

Puma overheating problems are becoming more prevalent as they get higher KM, most are head gasket related. When they took my head off last week the inlet side bolts were almost impossible to get off but the outlet side bolts were half a turn over finger tight. It was possible to see water had leaked through the gasket not in one trail but more an even leakage.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1437.jpg

I am interested to see how you go in the long term labrado as with my experience I find it hard to believe that the EGR is causing overheating and coolant loss but for you I really hope it is the cause.