Thread: Just lost all my coolant!

What a saga this evening turned into...

Picked up my '98 300tdi around 7.30pm from the mechanic after having radiator rodded, all new hoses fitted, replaced autotrans cooler pipes and the timing belt done (at 153000kms).

I decided to take it for a run up Willunga Hill to test things out, and things went swimmingly as I was cruising up the hill. I found myself marvelling at the improved performance presumably due to new timing belt and intercooler hoses.

I even passed a 3.0 patrool on the way up the hill, but imagine my dismay when - on getting near to the top of the hill - the engine watchdog temp started skyrocketing and sounding off on me (needle on standard gauge had not yet moved much!!). Pulled over & switched off with temp at 114, lifted the bonnet, and the engine bay on the driver's side was noticably wet to say the least... in fact I soon discovered coolant dripping off of my driver's side rear mud flap.

As it turns out I'd dropped all of my coolant in next to no time due to a newly fitted heater hose not being sufficiently secured.

On the phone to the mechanic... then a good 2 hours by the roadside with him in attendance, having a chat while waiting for things to cool right down before loading up with fluid.

Things seem to be ok as far as the motor goes... time will tell. The mechanic is a good bloke, knows his landies, and always looks after me. I trust this will be the case this time around too.

One things for sure, things would have been a whole lot worse but for the engine watchdog!

By the way, I'm glad I got the timing belt done. The cover was full of black furry crap and the belt had worn on the rear edge by about 2mm (and yes it did have an upgrade kit previously fitted).

Just travelled 750 km and all is sweet. Haven't lost drop of coolant and the engine is running with better power for sure... Looks like I didn't cook the head hey!