↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Td5 > White smoke, coolant loss... please god no...
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
White smoke, coolant loss... please god no...
OK - so I had my head skimmed and head gasket replaced about 1000-1500 miles ago... over the last week or two I have noticed a very slight drop in coolant so I thought that perhaps a pipe had not sealed properly since the HG was done.

In total about 300-400ml water lost over 500 miles or so... and today I noticed a puff of white smoke on start up...

So, the cooling system doesn't seem to be pressurising, there is no loss of power or driveability, no overheating, only symptoms are coolant loss (very slight) and this puff of white I saw today...

Am I really just an unlucky b@stard? Has the HG gone again after only 1500 miles? Or is there some other possible explanation?

Can I drive it okay if the HG has gone (again) - need to get home from the holidays towing a rather large camping trailer!
Post #643902 14th Aug 2017 4:58pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Try a new (genuine) cap for the overflow bottle as the seals going is quite common. Try unplugging the maf to see if you have more power and the smoke disappears. Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #643908 14th Aug 2017 5:10pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
There's not been any loss of power. Funnily enough I replaced the MAF yesterday which was soon before I noticed the first plume of white smoke...
Post #643941 14th Aug 2017 6:58pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
So update...

Seemingly no more coolant loss or white smoke (so far/touch wood).

I did a 200 mile trip last night with no coolant loss, no pressurisation of the system and no other niggles or white smoke...

Conclusion:

- the coolant loss was in fact air working its way out of the system during first long drives since the HG was done
- the white smoke was due to me having replaced the MAF

Crossed fingers!
Post #645351 21st Aug 2017 6:25am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2808

United Kingdom 
Well, let's hope that is the case!

Can air locks stay in the system for 1,000 miles?

My TD5 110 coolant level occasionally dropped by about 3cm. It needed topping up a few times in the last 30,000 miles. It's not done it now since l changed the coolant about 10,000 miles ago.
l also fitted a new cap.

White smoke can be unburnt diesel, my Defender did it after a bad remap. My Transit Connect tdci produced white smoke on cold start up when the glow plugs were faulty.
Post #645830 23rd Aug 2017 8:34am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Matt90



Member Since: 12 Jun 2016
Location: Leicester
Posts: 142

United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 2.5 TD HT Bronze Green
Just curious as it's been a long time since i did my last head gasket (mini 10+years ago)
I always thought after fitting the new head gasket 1000 miles in or so it best to re torque/check the head bolts?
Post #645853 23rd Aug 2017 11:15am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
How can you check the torque settings since they are tightened to 65nm, then a 90 degree, 180 degree and finally a 45 degree tighten , you have no idea of the final torque to check?

(as far as I know as a rank amateur)
Post #645855 23rd Aug 2017 11:21am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Matt90



Member Since: 12 Jun 2016
Location: Leicester
Posts: 142

United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 2.5 TD HT Bronze Green
Was just curious, as I said the last time I did one was on a mini so think they were torqued just to something like 65nm with out the extra turns, so the torque could be checked, I'm no mechanic but thought it was best to check them a while later as things can alter once run in?
Post #645856 23rd Aug 2017 11:30am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
I'm no mechanic either, and it's a fair question, just couldn't work out how they could be checked...

As it turns out, the last time (and only time) I've had the head off an engine was a mini too, about 24 years ago, and it took me 2 years before I ever put it back together again!
Post #645858 23rd Aug 2017 11:46am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums