Coolant spilling out of reservoir after I switch off the engine

Irfanulla · 10th December 2009, 14:59

Ah - this is very sad - I asked my local MASS to get a new rad cap and replace the entire coolant and not touch the thermostat valve - and what they end up doing is keeping the same rad cap and removing the valve - even though I had stressed them not to. :(

well they atleast changed the whole of the coolant. -

SOM - I hope they have done it as you mentioned to remove and refill the coolant - I sort of don't trust the local MASS, they I think have very limited experience on a Versa.

well I have decided to run my versa like this for a few more km and observe if there is something going wrong - if not I will just get a new valve and get it installed at some other MASS.

SS-Traveller · 10th December 2009, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

...what they end up doing is keeping the same rad cap and removing the valve - even though I had stressed them not to. :(
well they atleast changed the whole of the coolant. -

Yes, and it's because of "brilliant automotive engineers" like these that perhaps 50% (maybe more) of Indian cars run without thermostat valves! I hope they at least had the courtesy of returning the valve back to you (to fit back later)?

Anyway, we hope your problem is resolved.

honeybee · 10th December 2009, 19:39

Did you get it in writing or something (job card?), that they have removed the thermostat valve? Try telling them you don't think it's a good idea and you are going to refer the matter to someone senior at Maruti and you will be mentioning that the local MASS guys removed the thermostat valve to fix the issue. Should be interesting to see how they react to that.

Irfanulla · 10th December 2009, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee

Did you get it in writing or something (job card?), that they have removed the thermostat valve? Try telling them you don't think it's a good idea and you are going to refer the matter to someone senior at Maruti and you will be mentioning that the local MASS guys removed the thermostat valve to fix the issue. Should be interesting to see how they react to that.

hmm ... I thought it was just very minor to get a new rad cap and a coolant change -so neven asked them to put in a job card. as they had to remove the hose near the valve to flush, they may have thought that it was maybe a good idea to get it off too.

I will just move to a better MASS, no use discussing this with them.

honeybee · 10th December 2009, 20:57

1. Opening a job card is like getting a receipt of purchase from a shop. For minor repairs, such as greasing the doors or windows, changing the wiper blades etc. you may not insist on a job card. But for anything that happens in your absence, i.e. for which you have to leave your car with the service centre, insist on opening a job card.

2. When you open a job card, describe your problem. Make sure the service engineer or supervisor notes down exactly what you have to say. Sometimes if you report "There is some strange noise coming from the back of the car", he should write something like "Check noise at rear", and not something like "change wheel bearing". In short, make sure he writes down the 'problem', not the 'solution'. Even when going for free/paid servicing, you should ensure the activities included under free/paid servicing are separately mentioned on the job card.

Needless to say, you should get a copy of the job card. This is a standard practice followed at all the authorized service centres.

3. When you go to collect your car, bring your copy of the job card. Verify each and every problem you mentioned has been checked and corrected (or if it cannot be corrected, it has at least been checked). The service supervisor/engineer should be with you during the inspection of the car and should be able to answer you regarding any doubts you may have.

4. When paying the money, collect the invoice and check it off against the items mentioned in the job card. The invoice will list down all the parts that were changed and labour charges for any services (replacement of parts, washing/greasing, inspection etc). Each item of the invoice must correspond with an item in the job card. So if you find the invoice contains a part (irrespective of its price or size), you should ask the engineer which item from the job card required that part to be changed.

5. While doing all these activities, always be polite. Never get angry or raise your voice.

If you follow these steps every time you take your car to the service centre, you will find that you will start knowing your car better and be able to decide which repairs are required and which are not. Also be in the habit of asking questions, even though they don't pertain to your specific repair or your own car. Ask about other brands, models, their service intervals, their parts etc. It will add a lot of knowledge to your repertoire.

vigsom · 10th December 2009, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

SOM - I hope they have done it as you mentioned to remove and refill the coolant - I sort of don't trust the local MASS, they I think have very limited experience on a Versa.

well I have decided to run my versa like this for a few more km and observe if there is something going wrong - if not I will just get a new valve and get it installed at some other MASS.

Inshaallah,all will be well

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Hi,
Food for thought.

In light of the above, I would think Irfanulla's Versa has an airlock in the cooling system. All symptoms consistent with it.

Sutripta

quite true

I fortunately have had no problem with the coolant because the person I get it done from was trained by an ex-Shell Oman employee who specialised in auto mechanics - his diagnosis was top class and he passed on his knowledge to his deputy.The specialist is no more but his protege is carrying the good work forward.

Sutripta · 11th December 2009, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

Ah - this is very sad - I asked my local MASS to get a new rad cap and replace the entire coolant and not touch the thermostat valve - and what they end up doing is keeping the same rad cap and removing the valve - even though I had stressed them not to. :(

well they atleast changed the whole of the coolant. -

Pity. Thermostat removed, and system (hopefully) properly refilled. Now we'll never know for sure! (unless the problem persists!)

Sutripta

scorpian · 11th December 2009, 22:50

Been following this thread very closely,i have exactly the same issue in my mpfi zen,and have replace radiator cap,thermosat valve,got the radiator pressure cleaned etc etc,yet am still facing the same problem!!

Oil in my car shows normal colour,no white smoke,but yes my car is consuming a lot of fuel and drags a lot,it feels as though ten people r sitting inside,got the brakes checked for binding and they were fine.

havent been able to sort this problem,can a head gasket leak in to compression???coz i feel my car being so sluggish and underpowered the gasket maybe leaking in compression and not water jacket...

anybody knows baseline figures of the zen compression..

Sutripta · 12th December 2009, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpian

Been following this thread very closely,i have exactly the same issue in my mpfi zen,and have replace radiator cap,thermosat valve,got the radiator pressure cleaned etc etc,yet am still facing the same problem!!

Hi,

Overloaded engine. Coast from say 80 to 20, and time it, and check it against another Zen.

Don't have the compression figures for the Zen. However, a blowdown test is more accurate.

Regards
Sutripta

scorpian · 12th December 2009, 09:02

Hi Sutripta,
I have driven two other zens(in myfamily itself) and they are way more fuel efficient and run more free then mine,inspite of me having a FFE and a green filter.

My zen definetly feels damn sluggish.and stupid MASS says that its just fine,even the works manager says the car feels bogged down as when u acclerate hard it knocks,the timing is perfect at ten degrees,fuel used is good,spark plugs are new,fuel filter has been replaced.

I have been running around to sort this issue from last 4months,any expert could help pinpoint this issue...

Sutripta · 12th December 2009, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpian

Hi Sutripta,
I have driven two other zens(in myfamily itself) and they are way more fuel efficient and run more free then mine,inspite of me having a FFE and a green filter.

My zen definetly feels damn sluggish.and stupid MASS says that its just fine,even the works manager says the car feels bogged down as when u acclerate hard it knocks,the timing is perfect at ten degrees,fuel used is good,spark plugs are new,fuel filter has been replaced.

I have been running around to sort this issue from last 4months,any expert could help pinpoint this issue...

Hi,
By "run more free", do you mean when accelerating only, or is it even more pronounced when coasting. If when coasting, time it, and tell MASS you want your car to have the same (ballpark) figures.

Knocking when accelerating, I feel in your case, is caused by an overheated engine. Your engine I think is fine. Something is dissipating power. One sneaky reason for higher fuel consumption is an overcharging alternator. Not as rare as you might think. However I have not seen this to cause overheating.

Proceed logically. Should not be too difficult to track down. But first rule is to start from a known point. In this case a bog standard car.

Regards
Sutripta

scorpian · 13th December 2009, 08:34

yes i do mean both in accleration and coasting,my engines definetly overhaeting andi wonder if the guage is showing right temp,in the night my car tends to run way better,do u think i shud cheack the compression and replace the gasket as my engines hit the H twice..

Irfanulla · 13th December 2009, 19:22

Hi Have been around with short runs across the city and have not faced any coolant spills yet. - will keep ya folks updated, however need to know more about my vehicle

SOM can you help, I will PM you my email id.

vdiatech · 13th December 2009, 20:40

My sincere apology for slightly going off topic here.

What does white residue ( liquidy ) seeping out from the coolant reservoir cap indicate ?. The car is not loosing coolant and there is no sludge or any white stuff under the cap. There is no oil mixed in the coolant reservoir and the car/engine runs absolutely smooth!

Sutripta · 15th December 2009, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpian

yes i do mean both in accleration and coasting,my engines definetly overhaeting andi wonder if the guage is showing right temp,in the night my car tends to run way better,do u think i shud cheack the compression and replace the gasket as my engines hit the H twice..

Hi,
Engine not your problem, drag is. Locate and solve it. Think about the engine only after that. The Zen engine is bulletproof! (Hold your flames please)

Now for me to get back to a broadband connection.

Sutripta

10th December 2009, 14:59	#61
Irfanulla BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: Once	Ah - this is very sad - I asked my local MASS to get a new rad cap and replace the entire coolant and not touch the thermostat valve - and what they end up doing is keeping the same rad cap and removing the valve - even though I had stressed them not to. :( well they atleast changed the whole of the coolant. - SOM - I hope they have done it as you mentioned to remove and refill the coolant - I sort of don't trust the local MASS, they I think have very limited experience on a Versa. well I have decided to run my versa like this for a few more km and observe if there is something going wrong - if not I will just get a new valve and get it installed at some other MASS.
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 19:39	#63
honeybee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dombivli Posts: 3,056 Thanked: 2,140 Times View My Garage	Did you get it in writing or something (job card?), that they have removed the thermostat valve? Try telling them you don't think it's a good idea and you are going to refer the matter to someone senior at Maruti and you will be mentioning that the local MASS guys removed the thermostat valve to fix the issue. Should be interesting to see how they react to that.
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 20:57	#65
honeybee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dombivli Posts: 3,056 Thanked: 2,140 Times View My Garage	1. Opening a job card is like getting a receipt of purchase from a shop. For minor repairs, such as greasing the doors or windows, changing the wiper blades etc. you may not insist on a job card. But for anything that happens in your absence, i.e. for which you have to leave your car with the service centre, insist on opening a job card. 2. When you open a job card, describe your problem. Make sure the service engineer or supervisor notes down exactly what you have to say. Sometimes if you report "There is some strange noise coming from the back of the car", he should write something like "Check noise at rear", and not something like "change wheel bearing". In short, make sure he writes down the 'problem', not the 'solution'. Even when going for free/paid servicing, you should ensure the activities included under free/paid servicing are separately mentioned on the job card. Needless to say, you should get a copy of the job card. This is a standard practice followed at all the authorized service centres. 3. When you go to collect your car, bring your copy of the job card. Verify each and every problem you mentioned has been checked and corrected (or if it cannot be corrected, it has at least been checked). The service supervisor/engineer should be with you during the inspection of the car and should be able to answer you regarding any doubts you may have. 4. When paying the money, collect the invoice and check it off against the items mentioned in the job card. The invoice will list down all the parts that were changed and labour charges for any services (replacement of parts, washing/greasing, inspection etc). Each item of the invoice must correspond with an item in the job card. So if you find the invoice contains a part (irrespective of its price or size), you should ask the engineer which item from the job card required that part to be changed. 5. While doing all these activities, always be polite. Never get angry or raise your voice. If you follow these steps every time you take your car to the service centre, you will find that you will start knowing your car better and be able to decide which repairs are required and which are not. Also be in the habit of asking questions, even though they don't pertain to your specific repair or your own car. Ask about other brands, models, their service intervals, their parts etc. It will add a lot of knowledge to your repertoire.
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 22:50	#68
scorpian BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: GOA Posts: 843 Thanked: 1,269 Times View My Garage	Been following this thread very closely,i have exactly the same issue in my mpfi zen,and have replace radiator cap,thermosat valve,got the radiator pressure cleaned etc etc,yet am still facing the same problem!! Oil in my car shows normal colour,no white smoke,but yes my car is consuming a lot of fuel and drags a lot,it feels as though ten people r sitting inside,got the brakes checked for binding and they were fine. havent been able to sort this problem,can a head gasket leak in to compression???coz i feel my car being so sluggish and underpowered the gasket maybe leaking in compression and not water jacket... anybody knows baseline figures of the zen compression..
	() Thanks

12th December 2009, 09:02	#70
scorpian BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: GOA Posts: 843 Thanked: 1,269 Times View My Garage	Hi Sutripta, I have driven two other zens(in myfamily itself) and they are way more fuel efficient and run more free then mine,inspite of me having a FFE and a green filter. My zen definetly feels damn sluggish.and stupid MASS says that its just fine,even the works manager says the car feels bogged down as when u acclerate hard it knocks,the timing is perfect at ten degrees,fuel used is good,spark plugs are new,fuel filter has been replaced. I have been running around to sort this issue from last 4months,any expert could help pinpoint this issue...
	() Thanks

13th December 2009, 08:34	#72
scorpian BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: GOA Posts: 843 Thanked: 1,269 Times View My Garage	yes i do mean both in accleration and coasting,my engines definetly overhaeting andi wonder if the guage is showing right temp,in the night my car tends to run way better,do u think i shud cheack the compression and replace the gasket as my engines hit the H twice..
	() Thanks

13th December 2009, 19:22	#73
Irfanulla BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: Once	Hi Have been around with short runs across the city and have not faced any coolant spills yet. - will keep ya folks updated, however need to know more about my vehicle SOM can you help, I will PM you my email id.
	() Thanks

13th December 2009, 20:40	#74
vdiatech BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 10 Times	My sincere apology for slightly going off topic here. What does white residue ( liquidy ) seeping out from the coolant reservoir cap indicate ?. The car is not loosing coolant and there is no sludge or any white stuff under the cap. There is no oil mixed in the coolant reservoir and the car/engine runs absolutely smooth!
	() Thanks