Looks like I am in big trouble. Steam coming out the passenger exhaust. Coolant disappearing fast, short drive around the block it loses a couple of litres. Car starts OK and runs OK. No coolant in oil and no apparent oil in coolant. Top hose is soft at temperature and cap on ??? So where is the problem ? Obviously there is a hole in the cooling system somewhere that is allowing water in the exhaust somehow. If it was a standard head gasket problem would I not see some other symptoms ? Could it be a cracked CHRA ? I say this as the exhaust note is a bit different, could my exhaust be full of water ? And thoughts or ideas would be appreciated, but this sounds like my Zed days are coming to an end.
Where is the coolant going, not likely your exhaust, for that volume of water (couple of litres short drive) it wouldn't be running on all cylinders if at all. look under the car when running, must be a cracked hose or something. why do you assume head gasket?
I have looked underneath, parked on a spot filled up etc, nothing on the ground. But there is steam coming out of the passenger exhaust.
Are you seeing bubbles in the radiator while it's running? A quick TK test and/or leakdown test would tell you for sure.
Maybe a few small ones, its hard to tell, but when its sealed its not pressurising so no likely to be cylinder gas. TK test is that like a combustion gas test with changing coloured fluid ? Dont have one.
summary: runs on all cylinders, no misses uses coolant like it is going out of fashion steam out of passenger side exhaust ok, i get your theory about the cracked turbo. so basically you think the coolant is going straight from turbo to exhaust (hence crack) which could explain the above. I guess you know it is the drivers side turbo (opposite to exhaust i think?). Not sure what else you can do to prove disprove the above. Normally you would pull plugs and see if symptoms change but that is typical diagnosis for when leaking into combustion chamber. real corner case if you have this scenario, i can't think of anything to help point the finger. maybe check boost from individual turbo.... keep us informed.
John - Suggest pressure testing the cooling system. If you suspect a head gasket & the water to be escaping via the exhaust, check the spark plugs for evidence.
That makes sense but as I said there is no pressure in the top hose at temp, topped up and cap on. I will pull the plugs on and report back.
Yes that is exactly what it is. TEE KAY is an original brand of this tester and hence used as a so called house hold name ever since. Bit like the Brits using the word Hoover when they want to vacuum the carpet
Thanks I thought so. Pulled the plugs, number 2 is damp and comp tests at 200 PSI +, rest 160 PSI odd cold, engine starts and runs fine still, drivers side mid exhaust rings with a tap passenger side more of a thud. Oil still looks good. Thinking of draining the cooling system and getting up to operating temp for a few minutes to cook off moisture for preservation reasons. How's the water getting in 2 but with high comp?
What do you think about draining the cooling system and running the engine for a short period to evaporate out any water in the cylinder. To stop more damage being done ?
Mate its not a easy fix,and the way you stated above is a no no . If it was mine it be a heads off job and if you go that far might as well go all the way to do it right,short cuts turn in to long cuts. Good luck :rolleyes2:
The idea was to minimise moisture damage in the short term while I figure out what I can afford to do if at all. What about putting some oil in the cylinder ?
A good dose of wd 40 then turn over with plug out that will blow wet out. Then hit again with wd,scew plug in finger tight till you do what decide .:br:
John - The fact you have compression of 200psi in this cylinder would exclude a head gasket in my opinion. It sounds to me coolant is being drawn into the cylinder on the intake stroke & being compressed hence the 200psi. If it were a head gasket the pressure would be forced into the cooling system. I would pressure test the cooling system & look for problems with a borescope if you are able to access one. It could also be possible a hole has developed in the intake tract prior to the valves. A borescope should identify if this is the case.
A bore scope would be nice but I do not have one. But I was thinking the other way, cracked block, but I guess what you say may be possible. Any experienced mechanics able to comment ?
