what are the common causes of coolant loss

Tony Parkin, November 2011

Thanks for your suggestions will give everything a go and let you all know cheers

cakey, December 2011

could be partially blocked radiator!after a run,have a feel at radiator core and see if it is hot all over with no cool spots! which could indicate blockage.

k, December 2011

Thanks for your advice,s I do know that the hose,s have been changed and the vehicle is still being used and starts and runs fine, no problems can be heard or felt when driven, it does start to overheat aventually over a matter of time.

cakey, December 2011

could also be water pump leaking, sometimes they only leak when engine is running! also radiator/expansion bottle cap may be faulty [if not holding correct pressure will allow coolant to boil at a lower temp]

k, December 2011

hi,coolant loss can be due to a leak from radiator and associated hoses,any signs of coolant under the van?.also check the carpets/mats to see if coolant is leaking from the heater matrix or the hoses.usually accompanied by a musty smell within the cab.if the cooling system is not loosing coolant due to a leak,then you must assume the engine is using it.early signs of headgasket failure is most likely,headgaskets fail mostly in two places,one is it fails between two of the cylinders and coolant enters the cylinder,.over a period of time this gets worse untill the cylinder fills with coolant and locks the engine.another area the gasket fails is on the cooling jacket side front/back.symptoms are overheating,excessive presure in the cooling system causing coolant to vent out of coolant expansion/header tank.

tranny granny, November 2011