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[rjb6323]

iv been loseing a bit of coolant, i have checked for combustion gas in the cooling system last night and the fluid in my tested went yellow  meaning the test was positive for gas in the system.
im pretty sure this is the head gasket gone now any ideas what eles could cause it, all comments greatfully received thanks

[Kevin Wood]

Don't despair. Often these tests produce false positives with modern antifreeze.

Any other symptoms? No sign of leakage underneath the car, or behind the engine?

Kevin

[rjb6323]

no sign of leaking underneath and seem to be loosing a lot of coolant no excessive smoke from the rear

[Entwood]

Although head gaskets DO fail ....  they are pretty rare on the V6. Other failure points are the oil cooler - which will also cause the hydrocarbon test to fail as oil gets into the coolant.

"losing a little coolant" could have 1001 causes .. from a leaking pipe/component to a faulty header tank cap.... and a head gasket is way down the list IMHO ..    (although not impossible).

Where abouts in Wiltshire are you ??

[Gaffers]

I would recommend more investigation before condemming the HG on the V6.  It is rare.  A more common reason for coolant loss is HBV, pipes behind the plenum leaking and the rad.  Some 98 3.0 leaked coolant outwards but yours is a 3.2 so shouldn't have this problem.

Compression test, coolant leak detection fluid and manual inspection required first.... then maybe think about HG

[rjb6323]

last night when i took the pressure cap off when the engine was hot/warm i had bags of air come out and a bubbling sound coming from the top rear of the engine n/s

[rjb6323]

im in tidworth

[cem_devecioglu]

last night when i took the pressure cap off when the engine was hot/warm i had bags of air come out and a bubbling sound coming from the top rear of the engine n/s

system is pressurized .. so it can be normal..  have a compression test as stated.. do you smell coolant when the heaters are on ?

[rjb6323]

no smell of coolant from the heaters
also no lack of power and no coolant in the engine oil or visa versa

[Kevin Wood]

How much coolant are you losing?

Kevin

[rjb6323]

over 100 miles the header tank will be empty

[rjb6323]

how can i check my pressure cap, is the hbv mounted to the rh inner wing, how can i test this.
i take it the oil cooler is mounted as part of the rad pack am i able to test this.
i dont have access to a compresion tester at the moment
thankyou for all your help please keep the advice coming
thanks again rob

[ScottieMV6]

HBV is mounted behind the engine and to the left (as you look at it). Oil cooler is situated in the middle of the "V". You need to remove all of the inlet system to get at the oil cooler.

[cem_devecioglu]

places for leak

* heater bypass valve  (mine did)
* oil cooler area (mine did)
* coolant hose behind the engine
* thermostat area (mine did)
* coolant pump
* heater matrix and connections.. (mine did and really PITA  )
* reservoir cap (mine did) (mostly in form of vapour you can hear if you listen closely in a silent environment)