TW is using coolant

[cooperplace]

my TW, 180k km, has suddenly started using coolant. The gauge is fine, it drives beautifully, no obvious leaks on the ground, no milkshake on the dipstick or visible thru the oil filler cap. I put a new radiator cap on about year ago, so that's probably OK. No damp spot on the passenger side floor. It's taken about 2 litres in the last 2 days, which seems a lot to me.

Any suggestions for the next step much appreciated.

[Harry.O]

Check the pipe from water pump that sits in the valley of the block. These sometimes become holey for want of a better word, could also be the O ring where pipe joins pump. That's my 2 cents worth.

[cooperplace]

Ok thanks, will do.
on checking water level, 2L use is an exaggeration, as I overfilled it, about an inch above full mark. Will watch it v carefully.

[leadfoot6]

my TW, 180k km, has suddenly started using coolant. The gauge is fine, it drives beautifully, no obvious leaks on the ground, no milkshake on the dipstick or visible thru the oil filler cap. I put a new radiator cap on about year ago, so that's probably OK. No damp spot on the passenger side floor. It's taken about 2 litres in the last 2 days, which seems a lot to me.

Any suggestions for the next step much appreciated.

Have a leakdown test performed.

Your friendly local mechanic will probably do this for you for free, or quite cheaply.

[cooperplace]

Hi leadfoot,
thanks, great idea, I'll do it.

[leadfoot6]

Hi leadfoot,
thanks, great idea, I'll do it.

Of course, please let us know the outcome, good or bad, and what remedial action is involved.

Your mechanic might, as a first step, do one of these:

Radiator 'sniffer test' or TeeKay test.

https://wbtools.com.au/products/autom...leak-detector/

[Skyline]

Before doing those tests it may be worth to pull timing covers off and visibly inspect the water pump where the weep hole is. Once they go bad they weep coolant from there and you would be surprised how much comes out depending on how many kms you do.
Good luck and I hope it's nothing major.

[cooperplace]

lots of good suggestions, thanks everyone. It had a new water pump when the timing belt was done about 18 months ago. I'll keep an eye on it and let the forum know what's the problem.

[TWaGn]

buy a coolant pressure tester good investment. can get them for about $60 on ebay

[cooperplace]

was pressure tested today, no leaks evident. Still using coolant. it's on gas so it could be leaking into the converter.