Morning all I've had the vehicle 9 months but only used it once or twice a month, normally for a fairly long run. Each time I have used it I've topped up the coolant as it had dropped below the min. Last couple of weeks used it everyday, I'm now topping it up every other day. Don't need the car for a bit so I'm going to start investigations. There are no obvious signs, I don't think it leaks when parked up and the oil looks fine. It's a 3.6 with 120k miles and had turbos and egr done before I brought it.
Where do I start looking before I pull the whole things to bits?

Have the coolant system pressure tested. You can get it done in a garage or buy the kit your self for about £50.
It needs to mantain 1.2-1.4 bar I believe. Cheapest place to start.

Good luck

There is a pipe which runs from the bottom of the header tank, about 1/2in in diameter, it catches and rubs on the body/another pipe and can wear through. Easy enough to check and change, if you feel down the pipe you should feel where it’s been rubbing if it has and can see if there is a leak there.

Just one place it can leak but there have been a few which have worn this section of pipe out. It can be replaced with a generic hose and jubilee clips.

Easiest way to access to change it is t take the headlamp out and header tank off, about 4 screws in total. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Just noticed it has had the egr done, has it been bled properly? These are a real pig to bleed
Mine was bled properly after a head gasket change and it still bled proberly
Half a litre over the next 1000 miles then stopped. Doesn’t use a drop now
But was a real pain.

I would be looking at the coolant piping and plastic thermostat in the 'V'..which can leak and the coolant will then evaporate so just the orange residue as evidence...until the leak gets worse anyway! Takes a while to get to the thermostat and pipes if that is the problem, so worth replacing the whole lot for peace of mind whilst you are in there.

Last edited by Zeb on 4th Jan 2018 9:29am. Edited 1 time in total

My TDV8 started leaking from a hose on the RHS of the radiator. Took ages to find as only very small amount of leakage and would evaporate or get caught on the undertray so never anything on the ground. My leak was right below the jubilee clip attaching it to the radiator - pain of a job due to limited space, but half an inch of hose removed, reattached with a new jubilee clip and was fine. Good luck finding your leak! 2007 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE - now sold but was a great car!

quick re-cap, had a pressure test done yesterday and it's coming from the plastic thermostat housing, time to start stripping...

Whilst you are in there, do the two small elbow pipes too for peace of mind!

Had mine done 2 years ago and fine since cost me £270 all in including a lower arm aand air filter same time