Hi

Following what I thought was a coolant leak I took the car into a local garage this morning. They ran some checks and couldn't replicate the leak and even said the system was pressurised.



They think it could be head gasket related??! Naturally I'm worried and wondered if there is another cause?

The garage is local so not sure if the leak only manifests itself after a longer drive?

Any words of comfort?

Car is a 2004 Vogue V8 that's been LPG'd

Just tracked mine down to the water pump. 2003 4.4 on lpg. Also worth checking the water pipes where they have been cut to take the lpg regulator feed from.

Thanks for the tip mate.

Would that affect coolant level too?

When I examined the leak on my fingertip it was watery with a slight red tinge

The pipes are normally joined together at a T piece with some sort of jubilee clip. Just test that they are tight and haven't eased off .

There are loads of places for leaks to appear without leaving much evidence (water boils off) before even suspecting a headgasket. I've had a few leaks on mine that took awhile to trace (2002 4.4 V8 like yours) but never once would have suspected the headgasket. I've had a headgasket go on another car and it's pretty obvious in most cases when they have gone. It's a bit irresponsible of the garage to worry you over a headgasket if they haven't tested it for exhaust gases in the expansion tank, excessive steam coming from the exhaust or contaminated oil/coolant.

If the coolant system is pressurised and a head gasket failure is suspected all you have to do is get a "sniff" test carried out.
This simply checks for exhaust gases discharging thro the coolant. Not absolutely 100% foolproof but a very good indicator in most cases.

My LPG V8 had the same problem when I first got it. Would lose the coolant over a period of a week, took it back to the garage twice and they discovered that when the engine was cooling down after a run the pipes that were cut for the lpg system (sorry no idea what they were or are called) would contract allowing coolant to leak. Something to do with the T piece someone else mentioned. Easy fix and not a problem after. Wish I still had that car

check your bolts on the water pump too, I had 1 bolt that was loose but the main cause for leaks for my ff was the o ring on the 4 way t piece just under the rad.
This would only leak when cooling down when engine off, a common fault for the FFs. If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

Check it's not from the aircon
You often get water dripping from there Growing old is compulsory Growing up is optional

Check also the coolant reservoir - sometimes can get hairline cracks in the expansion tank - thats where my coolant leak was coming from.

Also some places can put die in the coolant to see where its coming out - usually highlights any issues with joints somewhere. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

I got a kit very similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230723938073 to check where my engine was leaking.

Not sure if it was that seller though.