Need some help ! Hope im in right place. ..My RCZ coolant expansion tank is empty , no heat in car , air con seems to work cold. no mayo on oil cap, no bubbles in expansion tank . Seem to have lots of steam from exhaust pipe. Worried I have blown head gasket. Before arranging a tow and costs of garage diagnosis . Are there any simple checks I can do before heading to the pros ? I refilled the coolant tank and left the engine idling. cant see any puddles or obvious leaks under the car . Idles steady and temp gauge remains at 90. Any advice ?
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Coolant Loss, no heat in car - have I a head gasket or air lock issue ?
- Thread starter rczpali
- Start date
I had a similar problem on a car I bought a month ago, you say the the coolant tank is empty so fill it to about half an inch above the max level, check that the cap is screwed down these caps can be a source of a minor leak, check the oil level using the dipstick, there is a bleed point on the thermostat housing on later models and if the original has ben replaced on many of the older cars. It's easier to access than the heater bleed valve.
If the oil level is at the max mark and clean then you probably haven't got a problem with the head gasket but if the stick shows signs of Mayo then it can be head gasket or water/oil cooler, the latter is an easier job to change. For now ensure that levels are correct, warm it up and keep an eye on things, how long was it between all being ok and noticing the coolant level is so low?
If levels are ok and stay that way with no sign of fluids mixing after running to temp, check daily to see if there is a change, you could have an airlock in the heater system they're not easy to bleed properly.
To find the bleed screw in the thermostat housing, looking into the engine bay from the front go to your right and between all of the pipes for the intake system and the cylinder head towards the front look down and you may find a plastic screw head, you can lose it a few turns and watch for water seeping out when you see water coming out tighten it but be aware that the screw and thermostat housing are plastic so don't be heavy with the screwdriver and don't remove the screw it's difficult to put it back with everything in place. Hopefully it's just an airlock and you're not losing coolant.
If the oil level is at the max mark and clean then you probably haven't got a problem with the head gasket but if the stick shows signs of Mayo then it can be head gasket or water/oil cooler, the latter is an easier job to change. For now ensure that levels are correct, warm it up and keep an eye on things, how long was it between all being ok and noticing the coolant level is so low?
If levels are ok and stay that way with no sign of fluids mixing after running to temp, check daily to see if there is a change, you could have an airlock in the heater system they're not easy to bleed properly.
To find the bleed screw in the thermostat housing, looking into the engine bay from the front go to your right and between all of the pipes for the intake system and the cylinder head towards the front look down and you may find a plastic screw head, you can lose it a few turns and watch for water seeping out when you see water coming out tighten it but be aware that the screw and thermostat housing are plastic so don't be heavy with the screwdriver and don't remove the screw it's difficult to put it back with everything in place. Hopefully it's just an airlock and you're not losing coolant.
Also, you say there is steam from the exhaust but is that when the engine is cold? Water vapour is part of the exhaust gases and visible when cold so disappears as it warms up, if not then it points to a possible head gasket or water/oil heat exchanger.
If you can't see a puddle under the engine bay check the passenger footwell the heater matrix fits from that side.
If you can't see a puddle under the engine bay check the passenger footwell the heater matrix fits from that side.
Thanks for your reply. Oil is OK and clean , no mayo . Its been probably a week between knowing coolant level was OK and noticing tank empty. I havent owned the RCZ long. Looking at the history there is mention of a coolant leak at last service , but no mention of any remediation or where it may have been , I've been looking at the driveway and also left the car running for over an hour and the level hasnt dropped, there is a lot of steam though, more than I would expect even in this cold weather.. I dont know if this is red herring or a characteristic of the RCZ. Its topped up to just below max.Im going to check it at times tomorrow to see if it just drops.... and bring it up to temp then see also. I am reluctant to drive it, in case it ends in a breakdown.
I'll look for the thermostat bleed and give that a go. Its a 2015 car so presume it has even if original in situ a newer revision fitted .
Thanks again
I've left it idling for 20 mins , the coolant level didnt drop but the steam was present initially and then noticeably whenever revved .
Passenger footwell is dry
This morning the tank is empty. im thinking either coolant is being drawn into the system as air locks clear or I have leak, or leak in HG into engine ? checked passenger footwell dry. With the weather as it is difficult to confirm if anything has leaked might have to place something under the car to determine if there is a leak. Have to investigate further when I get home tonight .
Pedro
Well-Known Member
They can omit steam from the exhaust though it occurs naturally from condensates but if your losing coolant at an alarming rate then its a case of system leaks or worse possibly head gasket weeping between the cylinders as the gasket may have split due to overheating ?
Im thinking it is a head gasket rather than condensation as there appears to be too much, and goes on too long... theres no oil/ water mix, so a coolant passage only breach a possibility or warped / cracked head?? Havent been home, had daylight or weather to have a proper look in the engine bay. Looking under the battery in the rain, dark , not the best conditions when I got home this evening I can see pink coolant and dried coolant sitting in the places it could pool on top of the gearbox. Hoping its thermostat now ... looking at ebay seem to be priced from 40 > 140 Will any fit or anything anyone recommends ?
It does sound like the thermostat housing, they can split I have heard, I changed one on my 156 last year and they're said to be a weakness splitting at the joints although the one I had fail just went fully open enabling me to drive it until such time as it suited me to replace it. It does mean removing the battery tray and to do that it's necessary to remove the arch liner as there is one bolt fits from the arch an oddity of design! I got one from GSF and one heater hose didn't fit there are lots of brands which fit and are probably used in other Prince engine installations. But if it's being done in a garage they should have a preferred supplier or OEM.
Thanks , hoping its no more than the thermostat. I am going to change this myself . Will call Peugeot in the morning to try and confirm a part number .
Just wondering if a failed thermostat would cause the exhaust issue , or be the knock on of overheating after driving around after losing coolant from the thermostat . Looks like a weekend task assuming I can get the part
I know that someone on here mentioned using Autodoc for parts hoping that helps.
I remember that when I changed the thermostat on my 156 the connection to the cross pipe was stuck so I sprayed WD40 into the joint after removing the clip and left it for a couple of days as it was raining then it slid out easily.
I remember that when I changed the thermostat on my 156 the connection to the cross pipe was stuck so I sprayed WD40 into the joint after removing the clip and left it for a couple of days as it was raining then it slid out easily.
Thanks ...
I've tried a few parts suppliers on Ebay, at a loss as to which is correct one without having part numbe,r even after providing both VIN and Reg. Main Dealer parts team will quote price for part, but seem reluctant to advise part number . May have to resort to removing everything and seeing if I can identify part number from the thermostat tank on removal .
This morning the coolant in the expansion tank hasnt dropped . and I have some heat within the car. Not driving ... just standing idling since this issue ... the steam from exhaust continues... and becomes clouds on dabbing the accelerator.
Going to order a HG test kit off, At least will know one way or another . whilst i try to identify the part for thermostat.
I've tried a few parts suppliers on Ebay, at a loss as to which is correct one without having part numbe,r even after providing both VIN and Reg. Main Dealer parts team will quote price for part, but seem reluctant to advise part number . May have to resort to removing everything and seeing if I can identify part number from the thermostat tank on removal .
This morning the coolant in the expansion tank hasnt dropped . and I have some heat within the car. Not driving ... just standing idling since this issue ... the steam from exhaust continues... and becomes clouds on dabbing the accelerator.
Going to order a HG test kit off, At least will know one way or another . whilst i try to identify the part for thermostat.
First real experience of peugeot dealers too after many years , still not very impressed . called three now...while I wont complain about what prices, there appears a reluctance to provide information. Water tank part seems to be around £210 + Delivery. Asked all for part number,. Might understand this reluctance but at same time puts off using them ...Guess they dont want you to shop around??? Called a couple of independent garages for HG quotes too better to be prepared and min cost between £1200 and £1700. scary!
Yeah main dealers have got wise to giving part numbers out on quotes as they don’t get the sell as people cross ref eBay.
There is a seller on eBay that are decent with pugs, and as well as after market they also carry OE parts such as Dayco and pierberg etc, Neo Brothers if you follow the link it’ll take you to their page (I hope) and you can try them.
www.ebay.co.uk
There is a seller on eBay that are decent with pugs, and as well as after market they also carry OE parts such as Dayco and pierberg etc, Neo Brothers if you follow the link it’ll take you to their page (I hope) and you can try them.
Security measure | eBay
Pedro
Well-Known Member
The Thermostat tanks are notorious for failing on all the Prince engines in many different models but you need to match the correct one to your engine you can easily cross-reference part Nos on Autodoc if needed
Bet you are slightly relieved. Just to chase down the leak.
Torch and mirror time, think everyone has listed the areas that are known to give leaks.
Just be methodical, and if you have or can get access to a pressure system it could save you a bit of time.