Another Coolant Leak - Occasional White Vapor at Idle? 2015 SCV6

[dtopkin]

I think I might have a small coolant leak somewhere, but can't trace it. All coolant work was done within the last 6 months by LR indy—rear+ front pipes, water pump, thermostat housing, hoses etc.

No dripping on the floor, and not noticing any sweet smell either.

Coolant loss was very minimal (might be in my head).

But, something I have noticed lately is the occasional vapor coming from the exhaust at an idle, or once I come to a stop. It evaporates very quickly, and could easily be downplayed to cold where I live, but wondering whether or not there might be a leak somewhere and it's burning off before it has any chance of making it to the floor?

Possibly a head gasket leak? (sigh)

 

[jlglr4]

I’d just keep an eye on it. Use a sharpie and mark your cold coolant level - dead cold, like first thing before starting the car in the morning. Could still be a little air working its way out of the system. If it’s so small that you’re not sure it’s happening, doesn’t really matter what’s causing it. Even a tiny leak in a head gasket - if it were that small and no performance effects, I don’t think it‘d be worth fixing until it got worse…if it ever got worse. But I really doubt it‘s a head gasket. A little vapor at idle doesn’t seem like a head gasket.

 

[greiswig]

Burning coolant has a few characteristics that might help separate it from "normal" exhaust. For one, that white smoke hangs around a lot longer than steam. For another, there's a pretty distinct sweet smell associated with it. HTH

 

[Waterndirt]

My 15' does the water vapor out the tail pipes quite a bit during colder temps. It's unnerving at first, but then I realize that's just how it is.

Here's a clip of my head gasket letting go the day after got it back from the shop for the "landroverworld.org cooling system preventative maintenance program", so you can compare. Ironically it was a foggy day but you'll clearly see the wispy white smokes floating up. $2200 worth of crossovers, water pump, thermostat, etc. then goes BOOM less than 24 hours later!

I'm beyond frustrated seeing all the coolant issues this forum is dealing with. It seems like its daily we have a new post about another coolant leak, etc. That's just not right.

 

[f1racer328]

My 15' does the water vapor out the tail pipes quite a bit during colder temps. It's unnerving at first, but then I realize that's just how it is.

Here's a clip of my head gasket letting go the day after got it back from the shop for the "landroverworld.org cooling system preventative maintenance program", so you can compare. Ironically it was a foggy day but you'll clearly see the wispy white smokes floating up. $2200 worth of crossovers, water pump, thermostat, etc. then goes BOOM less than 24 hours later!

I'm beyond frustrated seeing all the coolant issues this forum is dealing with. It seems like its daily we have a new post about another coolant leak, etc. That's just not right.

The cooling system is the only part of this vehicle that keeps me awake at night, and mine has been gone through. New crossovers and what not.

Nothing else really worries me.

 

[jlglr4]

@Waterndirt - I remember your earlier posts about this, but did you ever figure out what caused the head gasket to go? Seemed like quite a coincidence.

 

[LRforever]

Just get a leak test performed on your rig and know what needs to be done or probably needs nothing at all. That is the only way to not stress about the coolant issue. ..too many horror stories will drive you crazy on the replies. Hope all turns out to be okay. Cheers.

 

[LRforever]

Had to create a new account again (old one got hacked) so first post here we go.

 

[Waterndirt]

@Waterndirt - I remember you’re earlier posts about this, but did you ever figure out what caused the head gasket to go? Seemed like quite a coincidence.

There was no way to definitively identify what caused the failure. The shop that did my cooling system overhaul has a pretty good reputation. When I originally picked up the vehicle, I turned on the heater to get the coolant flowing and I heard a rush / air pocket flowing through the dash. Knowing what I know, I immediately turned off the engine and went back into the shop office and told them what happened. They assure me it was vacuumed filled / proper LR procedures were followed, etc. In hind sight, I should have told them to try again.

I'm going to speculate here... Given the nature of many of these cooling system issues lately, no visible leaks, I believe the engine block is the next place I'd put the blame on... poorly designed coolant routing and inadequate, porous castings. I've attached pic from one of the engines a local reman shop sent me when I was sourcing engines. This was a V8. The reman shop confirmed block casting quality is playing a huge part.

That's just my take. I only wrench for fun and by no means would consider myself an engine guy, so take it easy on me.

 

[M32H32IS]

There was no way to definitively identify what caused the failure. The shop that did my cooling system overhaul has a pretty good reputation. When I originally picked up the vehicle, I turned on the heater to get the coolant flowing and I heard a rush / air pocket flowing through the dash. Knowing what I know, I immediately turned off the engine and went back into the shop office and told them what happened. They assure me it was vacuumed filled / proper LR procedures were followed, etc. In hind sight, I should have told them to try again.

I'm going to speculate here... Given the nature of many of these cooling system issues lately, no visible leaks, I believe the engine block is the next place I'd put the blame on... poorly designed coolant routing and inadequate, porous castings. I've attached pic from one of the engines a local reman shop sent me when I was sourcing engines. This was a V8. The reman shop confirmed block casting quality is playing a huge part.

That's just my take. I only wrench for fun and by no means would consider myself an engine guy, so take it easy on me.

When you hear the water flowing through the dash, that’s an air pocket moving? Interesting…