hi
my L322 m62 seems to lose water
i am not game to run it far because of the timing chain rattle
I have driven it around the block, about 3k, a couple of times and each time the water level has dropped about 25mm on the stick, when its cooled down and I have re-checked the level.
I have pressure tested it and can’t see any leaks and it holds its pressure, this is when it is cold
It runs fine, apart from the rattle it sounds good.
I am thinking an internal leak but there are no bubbles in the radiator
Any one any ideas on this
I would like to have it sorted before I do the timing chain in case I have to take the heads off

Firstly, what pressure coolant reservoir cap does it have? Look underneath it and see if it has 140 or 200 (kPa). It should be 140kPa. Early models had 200kPa.

Are you sure it isn't leaking from the radiator? its a known issue with the BMW M62 cars. I suspect the 200kPa cap exacerbates the problem. Mine leaked a lot with the 200 but very little with the 140. 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

Yes, I think i saw an earlier post of yours saying you had a 200 cap and it should have been a 140, I immediately checked mine and found I too have a 200 cap
I haven’t changed it as yet

The coolant tank is known for hairline cracks in the corners which release a fine spray under pressure. May need a new reservoir. Or check the pipes are tightly connected (jubilee clips etc).

Or check gaskets?

As others have said, due to pressure (and also/therefore the temperature) small cracks or splits in the expansion tank, radiator, or any seal or connection can open up and release coolant (you should have coolant not water). This is difficult to track down, but usually is expansion tank , then radiator. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Thanks for your thoughts guys

I did make a fitting so I could pressure test the cooling system and as I said earlier I pressure tested the system and it held its pressure.
That was at fifteen pound.
I know the cap is a 29lb so I tried it again taking the pressure up to higher.
By the time I got it up to 25lb, it was leaking quite a lot from somewhere down the right side of the radiator.
I cant see where
That dose make me feel a lot better RR 2005 4.4 petrol
Any spelling mistakes are the fault of spellchecker
Previous MG J2, CITROEN light 15 x 2 gone unfortunately
Present MERC 180e, RANGE ROVER L322, JAGUAR XJS, MERC 280SE, MG F, JAGUAR S-Type 6v 2003, jaguar s-type 8v 2004, Ford Cougar

29psi cap? That's a 200kPa cap. I thought you'd changed to a 140kPa (20 psi) cap. 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

p38arover This vehicle is not being used because I am frightened to use it because of the timing chain noise
I did take your comments about it being the wrong cap and bought a new cap.
I went against advice on the forum and bought one off ebay.
However I am in the prose’s of making a radiator cap tester and I will test it before using it
I wanted to get the coolant problem sorted in my head before I take on the job of doing the timing chain

thanks every one, with your thoughts i am slowly getting there RR 2005 4.4 petrol
Any spelling mistakes are the fault of spellchecker
Previous MG J2, CITROEN light 15 x 2 gone unfortunately
Present MERC 180e, RANGE ROVER L322, JAGUAR XJS, MERC 280SE, MG F, JAGUAR S-Type 6v 2003, jaguar s-type 8v 2004, Ford Cougar

Joe90
I believe the expansion tank has recently been replaced for that reason
thanks RR 2005 4.4 petrol
Any spelling mistakes are the fault of spellchecker
Previous MG J2, CITROEN light 15 x 2 gone unfortunately
Present MERC 180e, RANGE ROVER L322, JAGUAR XJS, MERC 280SE, MG F, JAGUAR S-Type 6v 2003, jaguar s-type 8v 2004, Ford Cougar

I can do most repair work but the timing chain job worries me. 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

I think I'm correct in thinking you could be losing water through the head gasket or the valley pan. worth a check.

If you have the chains and chain guide done, your new gaskets should stop it.

BTW did you see my post ref the parts and costs for chain adn guide etc?

yes i did
i printed it off
i was worried about the heads but now I have found a rad leak I feel better RR 2005 4.4 petrol
Any spelling mistakes are the fault of spellchecker
Previous MG J2, CITROEN light 15 x 2 gone unfortunately
Present MERC 180e, RANGE ROVER L322, JAGUAR XJS, MERC 280SE, MG F, JAGUAR S-Type 6v 2003, jaguar s-type 8v 2004, Ford Cougar

Last edited by knares on 15th Sep 2017 1:07pm. Edited 1 time in total

knares wrote:

it was leaking quite a lot from somewhere down the right side of the radiator.

Well, started to work on it now.
Put an oil gauge on it, at start, at idle, no reving, 68lb cold
So, happy about that
Took the rad out, there is more leeks in than you could poke a stick at.
Took the lower sump plate off, heaps of plastic, some big pieces.
Looks like the right chain tensioner (looking from the front)
Took the thermostat out, thinking about the mod you guys were on about.
Will have to look at that
Up to now I have the belts off RR 2005 4.4 petrol
Any spelling mistakes are the fault of spellchecker
Previous MG J2, CITROEN light 15 x 2 gone unfortunately
Present MERC 180e, RANGE ROVER L322, JAGUAR XJS, MERC 280SE, MG F, JAGUAR S-Type 6v 2003, jaguar s-type 8v 2004, Ford Cougar