coolant loss

[emaze]

My 97 tdi has started loosing coolant, about 1 cupful in 300 miles. There are no obvious leaks, but I am suspicious about slight bubbling in the header tank. No excess pressure seems to build up nor is the oil contaminated. I have heard of a test which will indicate CO2 in the coolant from a gasket/head leak.
Any ideas please. Never overheated, no oil consumption, performance normal, 90k. miles.
em aze

[Geobloke]

My 97 tdi has started loosing coolant, about 1 cupful in 300 miles. There are no obvious leaks, but I am suspicious about slight bubbling in the header tank. No excess pressure seems to build up nor is the oil contaminated. I have heard of a test which will indicate CO2 in the coolant from a gasket/head leak.
Any ideas please. Never overheated, no oil consumption, performance normal, 90k. miles.
em aze

OOO 300tdi eh? right the usual place that goes on a 300tdi is the p-gasget behind the water pump. The tell tale signs will be white staining on the engine. Also check for white staining on the rest of the pipework too, remember it may only be leaking under high load, ie. when pulling at speed. The other thing is is it boiling or bubbling? The system works on having a high pressure inside, if the expansion tank cap is old it will equalise the poressure between the system and atmosphere. These caps do go, I replaced mine last year, worked wonders, very cheap and may slove your problem!

Remeber white staining! take a torch to the engine bay and search it thoroughly!

[Pete H]

If it is the P gasket then heres a reply from my thread a while back..

Hope it helps..

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showpost.php?p=299156&postcount=2

[Geobloke]

Ah just realised that this was your first post, welcome to the forum mate, why not go and introduce yourself in the intro section.