'95 850 intermittent coolant leak

[blurp]

Hi all,

My 1995 850GLT has developed an intermittent coolant leak that appears to be coming from the connection point between the underside hose and the expansion tank. I have disconnected the hose and inspected it (it looks fine) and the expansion tank (also seemingly fine) and have replaced the clamp with a new one tightened as much as I safely can without damaging the expansion tank.

I find most of the coolant leaks out when I come to a stop and it will dump about a cup of coolant out, sometimes more. I've also found that if I release the pressure by opening the cap once I've parked it significantly reduces coolant loss.

My question is this... could it be the thermostat? I had a problem with my 240 leaking around the water pump gasket when the car was shut off and replacing the thermostat solved this but I don't know if the 850 is similarly vulnerable or if I should be looking elsewhere. The radiator is less than 1 year old and the temperature guage never climbs beyond the 3 o'clock position.

Oh, one other thing, it seems to have started about 2 weeks ago when I found that the top of the expansion tank filler cap had sheared right off, exposing the valves beneath. Once I replaced the cap (from the dealer) it started leaking out at the clamp.

There seems to be a significant pressure build-up.

Thanks in advance for any ideas, I hope to start looking at it this evening.

Cheeps,
blurp

 

[Henry (archive)]

My 1995 850GLT has developed an intermittent coolant leak that appears to be coming from the connection point between the underside hose and the expansion tank.

... if I release the pressure by opening the cap once I've parked it significantly reduces coolant loss.

....

Oh, one other thing, it seems to have started about 2 weeks ago when I found that the top of the expansion tank filler cap had sheared right off, exposing the valves beneath. Once I replaced the cap (from the dealer) it started leaking out at the clamp.

There seems to be a significant pressure build-up.

Everything's pointing to the cap, innit? Is it possible that the new cap is defecto?

cheers,

Henry

 

[blurp]

Everything's pointing to the cap, innit? Is it possible that the new cap is defecto?

cheers,

Henry

It's possible... how would I test that?

 

[mymatemymart]

I have exactly the same problem with my '95 850 estate. Any ideas? Did you get it sorted? I'd be grateful for any pointers.

(The temperature gauge remaining at 3 O'clock is particularly galling. My car overheated and stalled in a busy high street; although I was aware that the coolant level had dipped and was watching my temp gauge I had no indication that it was overheating until it was too late.)