Engine coolant disappearing!

[JohnySWB]

I have been loosing radiator coolant for the last couple of weeks.

Oh the vehicle is a NJ 3.0 V6.

I've had the radiator reco'd about 6 months ago (replaced cap) and rechecked the hoses for leaks. To be fair I can't say I have found any thing looking like a problem on the outside of the engine.So no problems here I think.

I have changed the oil recently (prior to me noticing coolant lose) and I can say the oil does look OK( not milky) but I have noticed water droplets on the top of the oil filler cap and tip stick.I have never seen this before on this engine but I do relise that short trip engine running can produce this.So I'm unsure what to think about this.

The engine starts and runs on 6 cylinders straight away and the engine never over heats.

I was wondering weather I have a head gasget problem or even a cracked head.
Are these engines known to have problems in this area ?

Any thoughts

Cheers John

[Bitsamissin]

Not really a common problem but like any motor it can happen.
A head gasket leak or cracked head doesn't always manifest in oil contamination, water could leak into the combustion chamber and be burnt with the fuel.
Sounds like you need to get the system pressure tested to first check for any external leaks and if there is a pressure drop and no external leaks then you have to consider an internal issue.

[JohnySWB]

Thanks Bitsamissin for reply ,as with other sources as well as your own the motors seem very trouble free in general.

Will to the the pressure test tommoro and see how I get on.

Cheers and thanks John

[Zute]

I was loosing water, would find it on the top of the stone guard. But could not see it leaking from anywhere. Finally pulled the front of the motor off, and found it leaking from the water pump. On the drivers side (RHD) just above the oil filter is a drain vent for the pump bearing. So check to see if any water/coolent is coming from near the oil filter.
Also just on the underside of the throatle body are two small water hoses, check these too. Cost me $27 and $40 for gen' hoses from mitsubishi. Och

[4runna]

Hi John,

I'd suggest taking it to a mechanic that can test for exhaust gases in the coolant, then at least you can rule out it leaking into the cylinder.

Have you checked the heater core inside??

Rob.

[corkhead]

i had the exact same symptons for the last couple of months - friday morning checked the oil again (previously no water) and friday morning there it was ..... so out of two engines i have i got none :(

organising a complete new rebuilt on my spare motor (this one is still going so will just nurse it too and back from work for a month)

I first noticed the overflow bottle filling and not sucking back into the radiator, oil filler cap with water showing, none in oil though and engine ran a little rough (water going into one of the chambers obviously now i look back).

I was going to build a nice engine up with my spare - so this has just accellerated the process.

Hey frank - do you know of any mods or changes to ask for that wont blow the budget to get more torque ?? ive been quoted $1900 for a complete rebuild by the blokes that build engines for my mates race car (stock car racer) chatting to them this week about my options.

another chapter in my saga on the NFi

[JohnySWB]

Thanks Zute some good area's to look at there thanks I have done a quick look at the two little hoses around the throttle body area and I haven't looked at the pump at all. Will to a proper inspection when I have the rad tank pressurised.

And 4runna , yeah I've checked the heater, no leaks And I got a T- kay test done a couple of weeks back. No gases were found in the coolant.

Thanks John

[grumpy221]

1 simple test is to take the radiator cap off and run the motor ...look for "bubbles" in the water but failling that get it checked for emisions

[Locknut]

I think zute has hit the mark my NH was doing the same i would look every were when i got out of the car and just by chance noticed a small dribble coming from the water pump (exactly were zute said) what you mite find that the leak will run along the top of the sump were it bolts to the motor and just evaporate

[JohnySWB]

Thanks ,for the info but I have a bad feeling about this one.

John.

[JohnySWB]

Its official the pajero is dead well at least it has a load of water in oil.

Bugger

Cheers John.

[4runna]

Ah bugger eh!?

was trying to remember the name of the tester thingy - never had one at the servo due to a cheap arse boss.

well, look at it this way, nice new motor good opportunity to get her setup as new with belts hoses etc and have an almost new truck, always the way i look at problems with the truck, and sometimes do a bit of tweaking at the same time, money bit sux though :(

Rob

[corkhead]

i know the feeling !

[grumpy221]

bummer dude

[burner]

I had a dissappearing radiator water problem. It appeared after i changed the radiator fluid during a servicing. it used about 1 litre every tank or so, but only if I done more than 50km or so in one hit. Over a 12month period i changed the radiator cap, thermostat, had the radiator specialist check everything possoible. the only thing left was the head gaskit. so after much diliberation i changed the head gasket and the problem went away. i did see a slight water track from the water jacket to the cylinder, but then again it wasn't conclusive. the gaskit cost me $250.

[JohnySWB]

Yes burner wins the post that's closest to the problem Ive found with the engine.

Are well at least they not a hard beast to work on and you get the opportunity to replace valve stem seals etc..

Cheers all and thanks for the response. John.