engine coolant low
#1
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Dear Guys
After several months of trouble free motoring three days ago up popped the "ENGINE COOLANT LOW" warning with a red light. Car has been serviced as per schedule and recently had 176,000km service done. On inspection engine coolant is not low and there are no visible leaks. Can anyone tell me what is causing the warning light to go on, what needs fixing and how hard the back pocket is going to get hit?
After several months of trouble free motoring three days ago up popped the "ENGINE COOLANT LOW" warning with a red light. Car has been serviced as per schedule and recently had 176,000km service done. On inspection engine coolant is not low and there are no visible leaks. Can anyone tell me what is causing the warning light to go on, what needs fixing and how hard the back pocket is going to get hit?
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#11
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Just an update. I found coolant level was in fact low. After replacing coolant there was a further big leak of coolant on to my driveway and permanent red coolant level low warning light came on. Local mechanic investigated and water pump is broken. Total price of $750 to fix this. Can I ask you guys how long this job would take to do and what you think about the price? It sounds expensive to me but I am not a mechanic!
#12
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My stooging around has water pumps at anywhere from $90 to $130, depending where in the world they are.
Check with JagDaim.
Thee $750 sounds a tad rich to me. At about $100 for teh pump and $40 for coolant, that leaves about $600 for labour based on $100/hour, which seems to be the standard down here.
I have not done ours, but a V12 one takes about 6+ hours and I really do not think these are that difficult.
Check with JagDaim.
Thee $750 sounds a tad rich to me. At about $100 for teh pump and $40 for coolant, that leaves about $600 for labour based on $100/hour, which seems to be the standard down here.
I have not done ours, but a V12 one takes about 6+ hours and I really do not think these are that difficult.
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#17
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Dear Guys
Thought I might give you an update and ask for your help again. Water pump was replaced for total cost of $800. A week later and after a 300km round trip to Sydney the dreaded low coolant level light came on again and on checking coolant was indeed low. Took it back to my local mechanic and was told the radiator was shot and needed replacing. Five days and $1000 later I today have a new radiator. However, on my way home the low coolant level light is back on despite the coolant level being ok.
Can anyone please tell me what they think is causing the current problem?
Thought I might give you an update and ask for your help again. Water pump was replaced for total cost of $800. A week later and after a 300km round trip to Sydney the dreaded low coolant level light came on again and on checking coolant was indeed low. Took it back to my local mechanic and was told the radiator was shot and needed replacing. Five days and $1000 later I today have a new radiator. However, on my way home the low coolant level light is back on despite the coolant level being ok.
Can anyone please tell me what they think is causing the current problem?
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#20
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I'd have a look at the DCCV. Replaced one that was old but not leaking last year. Shortly thereafter the new one sprung a leak. Reinstalled the old one which was good for another week or two, then it started leaking. Installation of a second new one seems to have bought a bit more time. In each case, the leak was manifest by a recurring "coolant low" light - the first couple of which after each service I assumed were burping air out of the system. Unfortunately, not. Only in the latest stages of the second (original DCCV) leak did I manage to find any coolant anywhere.