Radiator Water Low ?

[teng]

Ok I just got a dyno yesterday which was like 150km from my house. Today i went to check my car in the garage. When i opened the radiator cap, i was shocked to see no water inside the radiator. I had to add close to 1.5L of water before it finally filled up. Even the reservoir tank is empty. During the dyno test i didn't see any water leak from under the car nor when i reached home. I didn't see any water leak in my garage as well.

Anyways i filled the radiator up again and started the car for like 10mins. I didn't see any leak either.

The water pump is new and only ran 25,000km. The top and bottom radiator hoses are new as well close to 30,000km.

Anyone know what might be draining my radiator water?

Offtopic here but there is a fan in front of my Aircon condenser. It doesn't seem to spin when i start the car nor does it spin when i switch on the aircon? Is it broken?

Edited December 27, 2008 by teng

[big col]

I had a similar issue, car was losing coolant whenever i took it for a drive and couldn't see it leaking anywhere or any spots in the garage where it is normally parked. Took it to 2 radiator places who couldn't find out what the problem was. Third time i took it to a performance workshop who found the problem... a corroded steel water line for the turbo was spitting out coolant whenever it was under pressure. Got that replaced and I haven't lost a drop of coolant since. So if the leak isn't coming from the usual spots like a cracked radiator or rubber hoses it could be something similar to what I had.

[MrStabby]

Offtopic here but there is a fan in front of my Aircon condenser. It doesn't seem to spin when i start the car nor does it spin when i switch on the aircon? Is it broken?

I dont think the fan comes unless the aircon is on AND the refrigerant gas has reached a certain temperature. So, on a hot day it should come on if the car is still for long enough, as the motor's fan wont pull enough air through the aircon heat exchanger.

[teng]

I had a similar issue, car was losing coolant whenever i took it for a drive and couldn't see it leaking anywhere or any spots in the garage where it is normally parked. Took it to 2 radiator places who couldn't find out what the problem was. Third time i took it to a performance workshop who found the problem... a corroded steel water line for the turbo was spitting out coolant whenever it was under pressure. Got that replaced and I haven't lost a drop of coolant since. So if the leak isn't coming from the usual spots like a cracked radiator or rubber hoses it could be something similar to what I had.

Hmmm....I should get that checked out asap. It's late here now so i'll open up the turbo area tomorrow and check for any signs of corrosion.

Thanks for the reply big col and MrKotter.

There are 3 steel lines on the turbo. Are those all water lines or is one of those an oil line?

Edited December 27, 2008 by teng

[teng]

Scratch the last question on which are oil and water lines. I found them out already.

[teng]

OK Found the problem. The "water in" line to the turbo is dripping wet even when the car has not started. Wiped it line dry and water is still present when i shake the line. Thx for all the replies. Order a set of Turbo lines already. Just waiting for them to arrive.

Edited December 29, 2008 by teng