Hose leak/Coolant level change???

[uninformed]

Hey all,

I have just found a pin hole leak in my main waterpump/radiator hose (the molded multi dia hose). I have no evidence of it leaking at rest. When I arrive at work, Ive been on the road for 45mins, hwy speeds, towing. I park on almost level ground. No puddle/leaks. The hole has come about from the hose rubbing on the Powersteering resivour.

So im guessing the leak only happens when the hose is pressurised and up to temp. My concern is that this has been going on for atleast a coulpe of weeks (1000km) Im thinking maybe more. My coolant level, when cold, on level groung is still above the little marker in the resivour. Im wondering if having this pin hole, and therefore air in the system is going to give me a false reading etc?

I will be tapping up the area today and ordering a new hose tomorrow. At this stage I have had a quick look at ebay. WrinklerAurther gave me a part# that isnt the same as what the seller is stating, but it is advertised for the 300tdi defender, which mine is (or atleast the hose is)

cheers
Serg

[kelvo]

If its the bottom hose - this has 4 pipe connections - the part number was ESR3121 this is now PCH119060.

The top hose - 2 pipe connections - is ESR2298.

[uninformed]

thanks Kelvo.

So guys, would this affect the level in the reservoir? would it show normal or high when its actually low, ie air trapped??

I seriously dont want to FUBAR a head!!!!

[uninformed]

also ill be using Tecaloy etra cool coolant. LR states to use a 50-50 mix of water/coolant. Is this the going rate these days? And the system holds approx 11ltr is that correct?

[uninformed]

I think I can hear crickets.......................................... ...

[Blknight.aus]

the crickets will be a sticking/failing bearing, probably one in an idler.

[uninformed]

that was about as helpful as the silence.......

[Blknight.aus]

theres any number of adequate answers.

Ive seen almost no coolant in the tank but full coolant in the engine and radiator

Ive seen a full coolant tank with almost no coolant in the head

Ive even seen one that would have a full coolant bottle when it was cool but once started and run up when the thermostat opened it would suck 90% of the coolant out of the bottle run like that all day and then gradually return the coolant over night, filling the tank while it was empty and hot would just make it blow a it cookies out of the cap or blow a hose off of the expansion tank.



best guess.

if you have a pinhole leak thats allowing the system leak then air is getting in and the head is loosing its prime so the coolant level is wherever it is in the tank when you start up. When the thermostat opens up the flow rate will reprime the head as best it can with the coolant available from the expansion tank.

IF you hear gurgling in the heater matrix (use a stethescope) on start up then you've got air in the cooling system proper (not just the top of the expansion tank)

ON tectaloy, the workable range for the tdi is 30-50% how that goes for what youve got is almost anyones guess as tectaloy comes in a few sizes and concetrations from premixed and ready to tip in @30% to a 1l makes 10l of 50% post mix. I usually gauge it by the look and viscosity of the coolant in the bottle, Fortunately the appropriate mixing rates for tectaloy are usually on the bottle for both the 30 and 50% rates.

[uninformed]

ok Dave, I can play to......

so the short answer was yes, could be a number of things. Now that you have given me something to go on, I can give you more info to make a informed guess on......

The pin hole, as I stated, is located on the lower radiator hose, where it rubs against the powersteering reservoir. So its high but not the highest point. The height of coolant in the expansion tank is pretty much the same cold and hot. The temp gauge (VDO) is doing what it normally does, engine takes the same time to heat, runs at the same temp etc. Ive also been watching the EGT pretty close. Same same for it.

As for the Tectaloy, I have the same bottle you gave me when you did my P gasket. And as I stated its the Tectaloy XTRA COOL. Now it says it "treats 10 litres of coolant...and the bottle is 500ml....so to me that is 5%. I also have a bottle of Tectaloy XTRA COOL GOLD, it says 1 Litre treats 15 litres, again to me that is 6.66666666667%. No where, on either bottles, does it express it as a percent or ratio (like 50-50 or 30% mix) That is why I asked, LR RAVE states 50%-50% of water/anti-freeze mixture......so do I just go by the bottle? or add a certain amount based on your or others LR experience. To often Im hearing of little tips tricks that have been proven, but arent LR's code of practice or noted else where....

as far as going by the colour/viscosity, good luck telling these 2 different ones apart by eye or feel.

[Blknight.aus]

the 500ml bottle I gave you treats 10L of water and thats the 30% mix.

The coolants in the bottle are concentrated like cordial cottees can now supply you with orange cordial in a 2l bottle that makes 10l of cordial OR 1l of cordial that makes 10L of cordial.

from memory the ratio is listed on the back of the 1l bottle of the same coolant in 10L of water its 50% in 15l of water its 30%.

you can easily tell the difference between the concentrate, premix and super concentrates.