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Subject:Air bubbles in coolant 2.1 wbx
From:Neil N
Date:Sat, 4 Jun 2016 18:29:40 -0700

Hi all. I'm on a road trip in rural BC with slow internet access.
I'll search the archives but insights would be appreciated in case I need
to make a choice between driving home or continuing the trip.

The short version; after driving a while, I shut off the engine, heard a
gurgling sound, saw bubbles passing into the top nipple at the coolant
expansion tank. I'm concerned that a cylinder to head seal is failing.

I'd heard this gurgling sound before but assumed it was the sound
of coolant passing from the fill tank to expansion tank.

Before this happened today, I noticed the coolant fill tank was low so
added coolant. After driving a short while, then shutting down the
engine, the fill tank filled up and excess coolant was spilled through the
fill tank vent hole. This seemed normal. After driving about 100 miles, as
soon as I shut off the engine, I heard the gurgling sound. I took off the
engine lid and saw a steady stream of bubbles coming from the coolant
manifold hose to top of the expansion tank.

I rebuilt most of the cooling system some time ago. At least 1500 miles
ago. I assume the air had bled out some time ago.

Am I looking at a compression leak at a cylinder(s) or is it possible there
was still air in system due to the cooling system rebuild? I think is is
wishful thinking.

Ironically, the engine is running quite well! Temp gauge has not shown any
change in temps.

Thanks

Neil.

--
Neil n

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