I've got a little bit of a problem with the coolant in my bmw powered v8 (2003)

Last week it seemed to be loosing coolant - having looked and fearing the worse, I've run a pressure test on the coolant, and I cant get it to build pressure at all.

When i looked though, its just gushing air out of the relief valve at the back of the expansion tank - and even if I fill the expansion bottle full of water, it gets to near the valve level and just pours out of the back (engine and water completey cold).

Can someone confirm if that is right? - I'm starting to think that the relief valve is faulty (its a britpart one about 6 months old).

Cheers

neil. 2010 L322 Autobiography Black Edition
1975 Land Rover

Did not know there was a relief valve, that's what the pressure release cap is there for. The V8`s run higher pressure than the TD6 and are well known for expansion tank failure. Buy a new tank and a diesel pressure cap with number 140 on it as opposed to 200. Hopefully, there is no other problem apart from a split tank. The only other place it can leak is from a water connection or the air bleed screw 2007 TDV8 VSE
2003 TD6 gone.
2002 P38a gone
1999 P38a gone
1997 p38a gone
1993 VSE gone
1992 VSE gone
1966 Series 2a with V8 conversion gone

I’d be looking at the radiator, they are well known for sludge in the lower galleries causing what looks like pressure building up.

I bought my V8 with a suspected head gasket problem as it was blowing coolant out of the expansion tank. I took my radiator off and it was filled with crud, so swapped for a new one and as Wayneg says changed the cap for a 140 one. I would also swap out the expansion tank as well as they can and do crack.

I took it another stage further and changed the thermostat for a lower temp one which makes for a happier engine and all has been fine with the engine since be aware though that you should try and get a genuine cap as the cheaper ones can fail almost immediately.

Good luck... ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

Thankyou for the replies.

It had a replacement expansion bottle 6 months ago when the original split down the side. At that time I put the lower pressure cap on (140) and a lower temp thermostat.
Its weird because I cant see the point of that little outlet pipe at the back of the tank, and water will just pour out of it even it I keep pouring cold water with the engine off into the expansion tank.

similarly, the pressure tester wont do anything as air just escapes out the little pipe bit.

The moment its running and up to temp, steam/water etc just escapes out of it too.

Neil. 2010 L322 Autobiography Black Edition
1975 Land Rover

You sure it shouldn't be blanked?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RANGE-ROVER-L32...Sw2jdfFe4Y


[/url] 2006 4.2 SC

Thanks Spud - now that is interesting.

I'm gonna buy it just for the reassurance I think!
Neil. 2010 L322 Autobiography Black Edition
1975 Land Rover

I've had a few britpart parts and find them unfit for purpose.

PCF000033 2006 4.2 SC

Spud wrote:

You sure it shouldn't be blanked?

Spot on your blanking cap is missing. Check the top of the picture.

Click image to enlarge