Hi all, my SDV8 L405 is losing coolant slowly over time. In my experience the coolant system is sealed and should not lose any unless there is an internal or external leak. LR couldn't find anything and recon it is holding pressure with no leaks. Any experiences of coolant usage?

I’ve got the same on mine, Coolant level low popped up on dash on the day of lockdown last year, LRA recovered it to the only open dealer in the South East, they supposedly fixed it but were very cagey about what they did to fix it. Not used the car for about 6 weeks because of lockdown needed to go to the Post Office so checked the levels and noticed the coolant had dropped down to the min line again on the header tank. No sign of a leak under the car, topped it up and went out, came back and you can smell coolant but I can’t see a leak.

It’s booked in for the 29th March, not planning on using it in between.

Saw this;

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic55844.html

Ah the joys of finding a slow coolant leak. My 5.0SC has one for a while. Right pain in the backside. Seems to do it more when not using it. For example a long journey of five hours at high speeds it’s fine. Leave it for a few days on the driveway and it’s low. No coolant to be seen on the floor, but it is in the middle of the V. I’m getting it fixed as it’s too cold to do it myself. But even then it’s not clear where from. The labour to chase this will become more expensive then just changing the hoses 🤣

I had this on my 5.0. Tracing the source of the leak was challenging. Two new water pumps didn't cure it. Eventually traced to the oil cooler in the V - much more expensive but now fine.

Had this with my SDV8 - garage changed the EGR cooler under warranty but was still getting low coolant issue. Took several tests and garage return visits before they eventually diagnosed an oil cooler leak. However it should be noted that none of the Landrover garage tests highlighted or proved a leak (including dye and pressure tests) and they kept trying to reassure that there was no issue. It was only the low coolant warning and lack of coolant in the bottle and top-ups that allowed me to keep insisting they fixed it.

In the end I allowed the Service Manager to use my car for a weekend before he was persuaded there was definitely still a leak even though he had been constantly insisting previously that if there was a genuine leak they would have found it with their tests.
Told its quite a time consuming job but was under warranty and it did resolve the issue.

Was never any sign of a leak anywhere, but strong smell of coolant all around the engine bay. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

Oil cooler and gasket diagnosed as leaking. Being replaced under warranty although the part is on back order.

Read with interest.

My L405 SDV8 (2015) has just come up with 'low coolant'. Took 1.2 litres to bring back to normal.
No issue what so ever by had done a 250 mile drive the day before. No warnings when driving, and no obvious water under or around the car on my return.

Shall keep tabs on it and let you all know if anything transpires.

Same problem, car has had no issues for 4000 miles then up comes “Coolant Low.”
No obvious leaks, traces of orange antifreeze or smells inside the car or outside, but after topping up it’s fallen slightly over about 60 miles on 3 trips but not low enough to trigger another warning.
Indie says, “they do this sometimes” - well not in my experience.
It’s booked in next week so will see what they find.
Corrosion of the pipes to the rear seat heating is a possibility.

have you got the separate air conditioning in the rear? Mine had the same fault earlier this year. Turned out to be the coolant pipes that fed the rear air conditioning unit. Not the obviously place to look for a coolant leak. I only really noticed it when the puddle of coolant started to appear near the o/s rear wheel.
This was one of those situations where I was glad of LR warranty.

Yes, mines got the AC in the back. I’ve checked under the car just forward of the rear wheels and can’t see any evidence of a leak, but next week they’ll get her up on the ramp and be able to have a good look.

Mine had this issue, coolant leak. Nothing obvious. A few weeks later had the oil leak as well. So, new oil cooler fitted and indie reckoned one of the pipes had corroded? Well, anyway, all sorted and it wasn't hugely expensive.

Landphil wrote:

Yes, mines got the AC in the back. I’ve checked under the car just forward of the rear wheels and can’t see any evidence of a leak, but next week they’ll get her up on the ramp and be able to have a good look.

Problem is on ours it seemed to dry out as quickly as it leaked, it showed up on a stone cold start with the rear heating cranked right up, but even then was a fairly small leak. Land Rover assist couldn’t get it to leak on the drive, but we had photo’s etc. previously the dealer had it overnight on pressure tests etc with no fault found  Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

My leak has been sorted. It was the oil cooler and the EGR cooler gasket, as well as a corroded pipe at the back of the engine. It took a week to fix because LR supplied my Indie with the wrong gasket twice. It seems their stock of oil cooler gaskets had been incorrectly labelled with the wrong part number.
Big Bill but my warranty paid most of it.

That's brilliant.

I shall pass this info on to my Indy and hopefully get it sorted.

Thanks.

Just for those having a coolant leak fixed.
When I got the car back my Indie advised me to check the coolant level regularly for a week or so as, despite their best efforts, there was probably still some air in the system.
Well the level continued to fall slightly each time I drove it and this lasted for nearly 6 weeks taking small but measurable amounts regularly. I was convinced I still had a leak but my Indie said taking up to 500 miles was quite possible so advised me to stay with it.
It’s stopped and is now showing max each time I check it.
I’ve now stopped my medication for paranoia but I’m keeping the pills close.