Bubbles in the Radiator ?

[tasnav]

Hi there,
I have a 2005 deisel Navara with 160,000km.

With the radiator cap off I have noticed some bubbles appearing in the radiator filler ?

There are no engine check lights or codes up.

Should this be a concern ? The car is running fine ?

Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[KraftyPg]

Do a Google search for something like "bubbles in radiator" there could be a few things from minor and easy to fix right up to the major and hard to fix depending on a few different things, some of these may not throw up codes immediately.

 

[Old.Tony]

First thing that comes to my mind is a head gasket.

 

[mud4b]

First thing that comes to my mind is a head gasket.

Even though this might not be the problem i agree with you... bubbles in radiator is usually a sure sign of head gasket failure...

cheers mark.

 

[will]

First thing that comes to my mind is a head gasket.

Yep that's my thought too. Also according to wiki answers itcould be a defective radiator cap on the reservoir return. Which makes me wonder, does the nav have a recovery system?

 

[Leprechaun]

I'd go down to a radiator place and have the coolant tested for combustion gasses. I think it cost me $15 last time, (15 years ago).

 

[tasnav]

Would Bar's Leak Raditor treatment ... maybe..... fix things alittle ?

 

[Old.Tony]

There's a small pressure difference, the radiator sees about 15psi (you can hold 15psi with your finger) and the head gasket is holding in the force of a diesel combustion.

I think the radiator leak stuff works by congealing on contact with air, you may not get that in the head gasket, so I doubt that would work - if it's your head gasket. Only way to be sure is to get your radiator coolant tested as Kingcab has suggested.

 

[will]

Would Bar's Leak Raditor treatment ... maybe..... fix things alittle ?

That really depends on what the actual problem is. you need to know that before you use any additive like bars leak.

I thought Bars Leak works by applying a thin coating to the entire inside of your radiator & cooling system which reduces (although only minorly) its cooling performance. My advise, go get a mechanic to look at it and advise you what needs doing.

 

[Dave]

Could be a cracked heah aswell.

Get a leak down test done, will give you some answers.

Whats the under side of your oil cap like ? Milky ? blown head gasket or cracked head.

Dave.

 

[Al]

agree with the others, points to cracked head or gasket. If so you can fix it with some of that liquid glass stuff. works awesome. one maza ute i had used a fair bit of water and this stuff fixed in within minutes and was still perfect after 12 mths when i sold it.

 

[Deejay]

Hi Tasnav,

Sounds like a head gasket or a cracked head as others have said. Have a look at your engine oil to see whether it is milky at all. If so, don't add a bandaid patch like bars leaks, get it fixed properly or it will cost a lot more to fix than a gasket or a new head.

You can easily get the cooling system pressure tested. You need to face the problem properly before you do more damage than is necessary. Take it to a mechanic who knows his stuff.

Good luck,

DJ

 

[Mick-J]

Hi Tasnav, Yeah the guys are right, Alloy heads have a tendancy to crack or warp. I'd take it to a mechanic. I have an 05 nav. aswell, although it has only done half the kms, so interested to know how you get on...Cheers...

 

[mynav]

What kind of bubbles does it look like hundreds of small ones or is it larger slower ones, and dont add anything to water it will cost you later.