Coolant Loss

[bth4]

I know coolant loss has been discussed quite a bit on this board, but in reading a lot of the other posts, I am having a difficult time trying to diagnose my problem. Hopefully, you guys might be able to help.

I am losing about 1/2 gallon of coolant per week (driving about 200 miles). The radiator was just recently replaced and there are no obvious leaks with any hoses, etc. I have checked the oil, and it is perfectly fine...no milkyness. Periodically (about once every couple of weeks), there will be a little white smoke coming from the exhaust at startup, but it goes away quickly once you start driving. The car drives fine, it's just losing a lot of coolant. Does this sound like a head gasket problem, or something else (hopefully less costly)?

[Badger1]

First off what kind of Rover is this?

How recently was the radiator replaced? If it was very recent then it could just be an air bubble/s in the system that have purged through and the low coolant level is the result, but that should subside after one or two refills, and a 1/2 gallon at a time seems pretty excessive. At startup, that is probably just the normal condensation, do you smell any coolant from your exhaust after starting your vehicle? Not wanting to insult you, but is there any visible sign of any leaks, i.e. coolant cooked onto the exhaust manifolds, or any under the vehicle.

[bth4]

Sorry...it's a 1997 Disco 1.

The radiator was replaced recently, but I have driven it around quite a bit. I was thinking the same thing at first...maybe it's just an air bubble, but given the amount it's losing, I'm thinking that it's something else. I do smell coolant every once in a while, but I don't smell it near the tailpipe when the car is running.

I don't see any evidence of a leak anywhere else.

[roverandom]

You can check the spark plugs for signs of burning coolant. Top up the coolant level, run the veh in your driveway and wait for leaking to occur (keep your eye on the engine temp). If you are not burning coolant and none is in your oil then a external leak is the fault. Is the floor carpet wet inside the veh? your heater core could be leaking, check on the pass front foot well. Hope this helps you out.

[bth4]

I will check the plugs. I don't see any signs of leakage inside the vehicle...I checked the passenger side floorboard...dry as a bone.

Man it can be hard tracking down a coolant leak!

Thanks for your help.

[roverandom]

Expansion tank? Perhaps you can pressure test the cooling system. Many autoparts supply shops have a loan-a-tool program and you can borrow the tools for free, a coolant pressure test is a good way of finding a leak.

[Disco Mike]

Simple test, just go get your coolant system pressure tested and possibly have a chemical block test done if the pressure test show an internal leak.
Mike