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Tank

Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 431

TD5 (2004) Coolant Loss

Hi Everyone

Not had to post for a while as Tank has been running great. Almost 225,000 on the clock now!

However, I have experienced a coolant leak. I first noticed a squeak from the water pump but that has stopped. Then the fan wouldn't blow any hot air or only did when I was gunning the Landy.

Checked this morning and I have lost a 1 litre of coolant.

Temp on the Landy is fine and doesn't fluctuate at all.

I did have a coolant pipe rot away before and that was an obvious leak but this time I cant see anything obvious.

Before I start ripping things off does anyone have experience of typical leaks on a TD5.

Its not the head as I had this changed about 75,000 miles ago with a new one of the Spanish heads with the stronger fuel rails so I am pretty sure its not that. Given that the temperature stays constant I don't think its the head.

I will put the nanocom on the Landy later to look at the temp but in the meantime, any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks

Duncan

22nd Apr 2024 1:40pm

rallysteve

Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 2237

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green

Usual culprits are:

- Cylinder head blanking plug (you wont have one any more as AMC heads dont have the casting),
- Heater matrix (often a small leak is not visible but you can often smell coolant via the heater from inside),
- Fuel cooler on the side/underside of the inlet manifold (the cylindrical ones have o-rings in each end which can let coolant drip),
- Radiator corrosion (normally can see dampness at the bottom of the radiator but partly obscured by the intercooler,
- Water pump (there is a weep hole on the underside of the casting which will show you if the seals are failing),
- Coolant outlet at the front of the head (these often corrode around the hose jointing surface and drip coolant onto the PAS pump/water pump housing beneath).

My Td5 has never allowed the coolant to remain at the 'MAX' mark on the tank. If i fill it upto the mark it always drops 10-15mm below that on the next run but never drops any lower.

Hope that helps
Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread

22nd Apr 2024 1:54pm

Mdm

Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1623

it could be any one of number of things on a td5. easiest way is to pressure test the coolant system when static for visible leaks. could be as simple as a pressure cap failing.

if you dont find anything coming out it points towards it going into the engine so then you can move on to that side of things we a sniff test or similar.

assuming the oil is free of water? and level has not risen

22nd Apr 2024 1:57pm

Tank

Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 431

thank you.

Will start with all the points set out by rallysteve.

thanks Mdm. I dont have the equipment to pressure test the system and no water in the oil but will take board your points as well.

Thank you both .

Duncan

22nd Apr 2024 2:01pm

Tank

Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 431

I do smell coolent so could be the heater matric.

I wonder how much a new one is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

22nd Apr 2024 2:02pm

Jabberwocky

Member Since: 27 Oct 2021
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 223

I had coolant leaking out from around an exhaust manifold stud🤷‍♂️

24th Apr 2024 1:27am

BaronDefenders

Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black

If you can smell coolant, I’d definitely look at the expansion tank cap. It sits right in front of the driver (RHD), so you’ll smell any leaks from that area. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders

24th Apr 2024 5:35am

Tank

Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 431

Ok will have a look but it does look clean.

Thanks

Duncan

24th Apr 2024 4:21pm

Tank

Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 431

For anyone interested, it looks like it was due to the failure of two clips on the plastic T-piece that connects to the thermostat housing and also the pipe from the header tank. Two of the clips had rusted and snapped so that when the car got hot the pipes expanded and leaked coolant, when cold they were fine.

So, replace the clips and let's see what happens.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Cheers

Duncan

30th Apr 2024 2:43pm

Screbble

Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2105

2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

Glad you got it sorted.
It’s often difficult to trace these issues.
Fingers crossed that’s the end of that 👍

30th Apr 2024 7:12pm

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