Loosing water under pressure

[Rob5464]

I think I found a leak I have been having. I loose water when the system is under pressure as it escapes out of the expansion tank. I searched and found the rad cap is the common culprit however this was the first thing I changed and I am still having the same problem.

I also had the airline down the top hose today and found that when the system is under pressure and I remove the drain plug, no water comes out. Is that normal?

[charvell]

if its pushing water out the bottle you may have a cracked head, i would get a gas test done and go from there.

[Rob5464]

Thanks for that. I will go to an MOT station as they can use their emissions analyzer.

[TonyN]

You really need to get the head tested, if its making enough pressure to fill the expansion tank then you probably have head or head gasket problems.

Now you know why the truck was so cheap....

The drain plug is probably bunged up with Radseal.

[Rob5464]

I thought the heads always go before the gaskets on these engines?

Its not blocked, The water is clean now. I pressurised through the top hose with a compressor, took the plug out and a few drops came out. I took the cap off to de-pressurise and all the water came pouring out. I thought it was a bit strange.

[TonyN]

I thought the heads always go before the gaskets on these engines?

Its not blocked, The water is clean now. I pressurised through the top hose with a compressor, took the plug out and a few drops came out. I took the cap off to de-pressurise and all the water came pouring out. I thought it was a bit strange.

Nah, I'm had a few 3.0 jobs that have just been gaskets.

Ah, if you have the top sealed, not much will come out bottom, its physics... Nothing wrong with that.

[Rob5464]

I just thought the pressure would force it out rather than hold it in.

You have created a dilemma for me now. Do I keep it running for as long as I can, giving me time to get another car in the meantime or do I take the head off and hope its just the gasket?

Doing the gasket is a big job for me as I have not done it before, although I will have help it will be limited. I would not mind doing the gasket but if its the head I will just take a few bits off the car and throw it away.

I really like my Hilux; its grown on me very quickly and I am very particular when it comes to cars. However I don't think I could bring myself to spend that sort of money on an old rusting worthless heap.

[Albannach]

Doing the gasket is a big job for me as I have not done it before, although I will have help it will be limited. I would not mind doing the gasket but if its the head I will just take a few bits off the car and throw it away.

Apart from cost and an extra few studs, the 2 jobs are the same.

[BUSHWHACKER]

I really like my Hilux; its grown on me very quickly and I am very particular when it comes to cars. However I don't think I could bring myself to spend that sort of money on an old rusting worthless heap.

Buy some Jenolite and fit a 1UZ-FE and it'll last for years.

[Rob5464]

It was the cost I was referring to. I know the job is the same but personally I don't think its worth buying a new head for it. Although I know some of you may disagree.

I am assuming you mean the v8? I would love to but I can't throw that much away on fuel. I am trying to save for a house. I spend £80 or more a week for fuel at the moment and that is enough for me.

Insurance is another can of worms, I recently paid 2k for this year.

But back on topic I will get a gas test done next week and go from there. I need to work out what I am doing so I know if I should hold onto my Peugeot or get it out of the way.

[dazandcaz]

The last new rad cap that i fitted from RT wouldn't seal properly. I noticed this when re-filling the system via the top heater hose, the coolant happily flowed past it and filled the expansion tank. A little tweeking sorted it but the next replacement will be from Toyota.

[shokenore]

I had the same on my rad cap .
I had a weep from the seal,not from the front and easy to see,but on the section towards the inlet manifold.
The leak was only visible when cold and when the block was up to temperature it would boil off before anything could be detected.
It was losing about half a pint a week.
I used a smear of RTV on the seal face and it has been fine for ages.

However I believe the OP needs to get a combustion gas check done.

[Rob5464]

I am going to drop down to a dealer tomorrow for a genuine cap so I can confirm. I would get one from Roughtrax but I lost the other cap filling up the other night so I can't wait for the postman. If this doesn't solve the problem I will get a gas test and consider my options. I have been offered a gasket change for £150 so at least that is something.

[Yorkshire Devil]

Head

Hi Rob,

Where in West Yorkshire are you. Does the £150 include the gasket too?
I have a gas analyser and could test for you if you like?

[Rob5464]

Hi Rob,

Where in West Yorkshire are you. Does the £150 include the gasket too?
I have a gas analyser and could test for you if you like?

Wibsey. I work in Brighouse. It does not include the gasket but i don't suspect they will be much. IF you could test it that would be great. It would be good to get a second look from a Surf owner.