BobfisH

I get a random coolant buzzer when driving my car...the current coolant mix has been in the car around 3 weeks without issue, and recently the coolant buzzer keeps going off. I will start the car, the buzzer will sound....key off key on (while moving) and the buzzer sounds again after a couple of minutes...key off key on again while moving, the buzzer doesnt come back for the rest of my 45 minute journey (this was last night) until i pull in to park, then it goes off again?! WTF?!

this happens most times i drive it...the car doesnt have a blown coolant seal (that im aware of anyway, i just fixed one) and i dont think the AST cap is faulty as id expect it to then only give me a low coolant alarm after leaving to stand for a period. I havent noticed any water dripping from the overflow tank either.

The coolant buzzer literally seems to be coming on at random times, but the car does take water if i try and give it some (probably around 1/4 litre, 250ml)

What do i need to check? i hate that damn coolant buzzer, its too loud.

thanks guys

RobbieRX

Sounds like the water is not reaching the sensor when the engine speed is at idle. Obviously you have greater water pressure at higher RPM so the water is being pushed round more. Try purging your coolant system 1st before you start talking coolant seals, you may just have some air pockets.

joeyz87

That happen to me other day. I start car and the coolant buzzer came on. I drove 2 blocks to work (I deliver pizzas) and added about 24oz of water to the plastic coolant container. Then went to deliver pizza and the light came on again for about 10 seconds then went off and hasnt come on sence. I should prolly flush the radiator again casue your not supposed to use regular water.

BobfisH

you deliver pizza in your FD? jeez...

Purging the system...hmm, may have air pockets - but why have they only just appeared after three weeks? I have tried burping the system (you do this by jiggling the tube from the filler neck to the rad dont you?) and it doesnt seem to want to burp.

Ill have another look when i get chance next week if its still doing it, just wondering if you guys had experienced anything similar ever.

CantGoStraight

Why would you add water to the over flow resivoir ?? unless it was completely dry (or below the level of the return hose) ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??

BLKTOPTRVL

Sound like you recently replaced the fluids. If so, then it will keep sounding until it is completely burped. There are thousands of trreads on burping the FD.

sonix7

burp it, then, burb it again. Top off coolant everytime you drive until it doesn't happen anymore. My buzzer was acting up some time ago and it was the level of coolant not reaching the sensor on the filler neck.

BobfisH

i know what your saying about burping, but do you think this is plausible considering i filled it 3 weeks ago, burped it back then and the coolant buzzer has not gone off once since, until now? Thats driving the car every day.

DaveW

Not to be a wise-guy, but:

If the water level is continually going down, then you have a coolant leak.

Usual suspects are hoses, hard pipes, AST, overflow tank, and last, coolant seals. I'd do a pressure test to discover the source.

potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

if it is very very hot outside, this can indeed cause the buzzer light to come on. its been in the 100s here lately and i have had to fill my reservoir up and tap off the radiator also.

sonix7

heat might definately have an effect on the water level and consumption and could be your issue, on the other hand you could have a small leak somewhere, check the turbo coolant hoses. check out robinettes http://www.robrobinette.com/turbo_lines.htm. I had a leak from the gasket between the water pump housing and engine, so you got to be thorough when you are checking it could be anywhere. Remember you are going to burn through some coolant normally, if it seems excessive, then could be the seals, but try everything else first.

BobfisH

Well i think i found the problem, went out and looked just a minute ago and i can see that the water pump housing has a leak at the bottom (around 4 braided lines down there)

what are these lines and will they need replacing? should i get a new water pump housing gasket or use sealant?

Cheers guys

PureMdMa

iTrader: (1)

[QUOTE=BobfisH]you deliver pizza in your FD? jeez...


That exactly what I said the first time I read that.

L8r

sonix7

Check to see if it is leaking down and off the radiator hose(lower). It might be the pump housing gasket against the block. I just replaced my water pump and gaskets(both) and no more leak, no more buzzer.

charliegt

Check the lines and replace your caps.

-Charlie

BobfisH

im pretty sure it is the pump housing against the block. AFter a 1 hour drive last night i could see water coming out of the bottom of the housing, the front of the block was all wet!

RobbieRX

Check its not actually the water pump leaking. I had a leak in the same place as you and it turned out to be the seal for the water pump shaft had gone/worn away over time. I replaced the whole pump with a brand new one as its cheap and an easy job.

The lines your talking about are not part of the water pump assembly they are just held in place by the water pump bolts.

BobfisH

what are the lines for though? im thinking about getting a new electric water pump from Reworx, does anyone know what these are like? what happens to the existing belt configuration?

BobfisH

oh, and robbie, how much was the water pump and where did you get it from?

sonix7

Yep, thats exactly what mine was doing, the lines you see under the lower radiator neck is the Oil Metering Pump lines. You shouldn't have to do anything with these. I disconnected them briefly to get the whole water pump thermostat piece off. It was kind of a bitch. I replaced both gaskets and the water pump, I tink I ordered from Rotary Performance. http://rx7.com/store/rx7/fdengine_cooling.html
RP aftermarket water pump, cheaper, exact oem replica. Works good. Then replace the gasket between the engine housing and water pump housing. If you don't you will regret it. Hope this helps. Oh I forgot you are in the UK, there might be an easier place to get it or have it shipped as far as the waterpump and gasket.

BobfisH

cheers guys, i ordered a new water pump from re:worx today, and ive been told that they include all the gaskets etc. Have to wait till wednesday to get it now (or possibly even thursday as its a holiday on monday) and then i have to replace it.

Progress will be going up on my website, as always, www.face2faces.co.uk/RX7