Hi Folks - just stumbled across this page, I wonder if anyone can help? I have a 1990 Townace 1800 petrol. When I first start up from cold the radiator warning light comes on for a couple of mins then goes off for the rest of the journey. Its using about a pint of water a week but I cant see any leaks. Anyone come across this before?

Thanks in advance - Mike Edwards from the Isle of Wight

- (#10977) Mike Edwards, 4 Oct 03 2:52

test

- (#10978) test, 4 Oct 03 2:58

Hello Mike
The radiator light indicates that the coolant level in the expansion tank is low. The light goes out because the coolant expands as it heats up, and fills the expansion tank enough to put out the light. Once the engine is switched off and starts to cool, it eventually reaches negative pressure in the cooling system, and sucks back coolant from the expansion tank. The fact that this is working suggests that you may not have a leak, because leaks will allow air rather than coolant into the system on cool down. My guess is that if you are sure you don’t have any leaks, then the coolant must be reaching boiling point under load, and this will be due to reduced pressure. Dave Coombs at Wight Motors on the IOW has the float type rad caps in stock. Part number 16401 64501 at £11.75 incl. VAT pop over and get one today, then top up the coolant and keep an eye on it for a while.
Hope that helps
Dave Bright

- (#10979) dave Bright, 4 Oct 03 3:09