Hi all I had a full service on the car done . It came back and I looked at the header tank and it was over filled right to the top and not at the max- min level the water is black not pink as before so I took some out which was between the markes before  . It says on the tank mit silica but I've searched for it but I don't think there's one in there could when it's burst could it change the water colour 

1 minute ago, Getting100 said:

Hi all I had a full service on the car done . It came back and I looked at the header tank and it was over filled right to the top and not at the max- min level the water is black not pink as before so I took some out which was between the markes before  . It says on the tank mit silica but I've searched for it but I don't think there's one in there could when it's burst could it change the water colour 

I think the silica bag is the least of your worries on this issue for now. That said, if the bag splits and leaks silica into the coolant system, the bag would still remain in the coolant header tank. (Note, the silica containers come in a variety of  shapes and types.)

 

I've no idea what's going on here, but it doesn't sound good. I'm alarmed that the car was returned to you with over-filled black coolant, unless there's some sort of catastrophic failure. Does the new dark coolant smell different to "normal" coolant? My instinct would be to ask the garage that did the work to explain the issue, but I'd be very cautious about letting them work on the car unsupervised. I think you need to get this looked at quickly by a competent mechanic.

On 24/02/2023 at 09:03, EnterName said:

I think the silica bag is the least of your worries on this issue for now. That said, if the bag splits and leaks silica into the coolant system, the bag would still remain in the coolant header tank. (Note, the silica containers come in a variety of  shapes and types.)

 

I've no idea what's going on here, but it doesn't sound good. I'm alarmed that the car was returned to you with over-filled black coolant, unless there's some sort of catastrophic failure. Does the new dark coolant smell different to "normal" coolant? My instinct would be to ask the garage that did the work to explain the issue, but I'd be very cautious about letting them work on the car unsupervised. I think you need to get this looked at quickly by a competent mechanic.

 

Thanks for the reply I've decided to put on a new Expansion Tank without a silica bag in 

I've also spoken to a mobile mechanic and he's said the black water is due to the oil cooler gasket going and it's getting into the water 

Sounds likely 

Some of the silica tanks were double walled and you couldnt easily remove it. Likewise, mine was hard to see even though my coolant was fairly new. Its not a massive job to change and doesnt cost very much either.

7 hours ago, Getting100 said:

Thanks for the reply I've decided to put on a new Expansion Tank without a silica bag in 

I've also spoken to a mobile mechanic and he's said the black water is due to the oil cooler gasket going and it's getting into the water 

Sounds likely 

 

Also water could get into the oil - best not to drive until sorted, water is not a good lubricant!

Edited 25 February, 20233 yr by bigjohn

15 hours ago, Getting100 said:

Thanks for the reply I've decided to put on a new Expansion Tank without a silica bag in 

I've also spoken to a mobile mechanic and he's said the black water is due to the oil cooler gasket going and it's getting into the water 

Sounds likely 

I was going to say the bottles discolour quite a bit after 3 or 4 years on. So the dark colour could of been just the tank. But if your level increased  and you've removed coolant and its black once out of bottle,  that is a concern yes. Further to @bigjohn point - Have you looked at the dip stick to get an idea if coolant is also in oil?. Also the level on dip stick. 

 

I also would not drive until you can identify the cause as it could get worse quickly and could cause other damage. 

Small digression, do you know why the inside of the tank after a few years has a brown coating? My Mk2 was clean as a whistle after 15 years.  

 

 

I don't think my expansion tank is brown inside it looks clean

On 26/02/2023 at 06:37, TheClient said:

I was going to say the bottles discolour quite a bit after 3 or 4 years on. So the dark colour could of been just the tank. But if your level increased  and you've removed coolant and its black once out of bottle,  that is a concern yes. Further to @bigjohn point - Have you looked at the dip stick to get an idea if coolant is also in oil?. Also the level on dip stick. 

 

I also would not drive until you can identify the cause as it could get worse quickly and could cause other damage. 

The dip stick level has stayed the same so I guessing the garage topped it up even though the water is dark no sign of oil though in the expansion tank . But I'm going to change the header tank and put a new oil cooler housing Inc oil cooler then put put new G13 antifreeze in hopefully Wednesday and then see what happens