Thanks for your posts, they are very helpful. I should think it's extremely late in the UK now!

Here's the latest:

Just went for another drive with engine cover off.

Got much further before overheating (approx 1km). Stopped and switched off just before going into the red (a bit like me with this bloody car, hahaha).

Cooled down very quickly. Continued until started overheating. Stopped. Cooled. Drove again, etc, then went home.

Only overheats on load, ie when you actually put your foot down to accelerate. Doesn't seem to overheat otherwise.

Checked under bonnet when got home. No water whatsoever anywhere in engine bay. Loud gurgling on left bank of engine and in reservoir which was empty. Too hot to take off cap.

Under car, appeared to be evidence of water at rear of car where exhaust pipes are. Other than that, couldn't see any water.

Not sure how much water is being lost, as I can't get under the car to see properly and it's on grass, not concrete or bitumen (the joys of living in never never land).

Forgot to run without air con, so not sure if that water is from air con.

There was definite hissing on the first run under the engine cover. This time round however, no hissing, just a lot of gurgling.

I'll try and locate the overflow to see if there's any possibility of water escaping there.

Looking for a cheap UV light in Oz? I needed some for a Cubs/Brownies (Scouts) event over the last JOTA weekend and picked some up from K-Mart in the toys section for $2/pack of 2. They hare a ballpoint and an invisible ink felt tip plus the UV light.

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/2-pack-in...ns/2595318

You might need to get underneath and remove the underbody shield under the engine area to look for leaks. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Yeah, thanks. I'm not relishing that prospect, I can tell you!

Blitz wrote:

Thanks for your posts, they are very helpful. I should think it's extremely late in the UK now!

Here's the latest:

Just went for another drive with engine cover off.

Got much further before overheating (approx 1km). Stopped and switched off just before going into the red (a bit like me with this bloody car, hahaha).

Cooled down very quickly. Continued until started overheating. Stopped. Cooled. Drove again, etc, then went home.

Only overheats on load, ie when you actually put your foot down to accelerate. Doesn't seem to overheat otherwise.

Checked under bonnet when got home. No water whatsoever anywhere in engine bay. Loud gurgling on left bank of engine and in reservoir which was empty. Too hot to take off cap.

Under car, appeared to be evidence of water at rear of car where exhaust pipes are. Other than that, couldn't see any water.

Not sure how much water is being lost, as I can't get under the car to see properly and it's on grass, not concrete or bitumen (the joys of living in never never land).

Forgot to run without air con, so not sure if that water is from air con.

There was definite hissing on the first run under the engine cover. This time round however, no hissing, just a lot of gurgling.
I'll try and locate the overflow to see if there's any possibility of water escaping there.

Hi,

I had similar issue recently and it turned out to be leaking water pump. I replaced water pump + gasket (50euro) and a hose (50euro). Then did water compression test (got set from amazon also 50-60euro) and preasure kept over night. Exact psi value is in workshop manual. To get to water pump you need remove viscous fan.
IMHO the best way to identify a leak is to get a smoke machine.

Thanks for the info. I spoke to a local the day before yesterday who put me onto a relatively local mobile mechanic. He is coming out Monday (hopefully) to diagnose.

In the meantime, I got my son to get some radiator flush. Providing I can work out where to drain the coolant from, I'm going to have a go at flushing the system and see if that makes any difference, on the off chance there's a build up causing restriction.