Water loss

[ferretmanabu]

Hi. I've had a new head put on the surf and since then I've been keeping an eye on water levels.

Once i top up water under the rad cap to the top, I then drive a couple of hundred miles. When the engine is cool, I check the water level and no water can actually be seen under the rad cap. I have to put in another 20/30mls before it reaches the top again. I'm wondering if this is a problem or whether the water has just been put into the expansion tank.

Many thanks.

[MattF]

First, are the rad cap and thermostat new? Is the coolant level in the expansion tank rising? How long are you letting the engine cool before checking the coolant level? Have you purged any airlocks out of the cooling system?

First port of call would always be to replace the rad cap and thermostat if you haven't already done so, as a basic precautionary measure. Then you can work through other possibilities afterwards.