Is my head gasket going ?

[BillyNoMates]

Just done the biannual flush of the cooling system on my ageing Volvo (2 litre, petrol turbo engine) and replaced the coolant.

Since then I've noticed it needs topping up frequently. To the point now that it takes about 2 litres each day. Car is driven 200-300 miles a day mostly on motorways.

There are no other obvious signs such as emulsifying oil, no obvious coolant leaks. Car drives fine and engine is smooth.

What should I bee looking for/testing to confirm the head gasket failing ?

[qapmoc]

It is very unlikely that flushing the cooling system would cause a head gasket leak, It is more probably the radiator core or something like that. Maybe you need to start the engine from cold and let it warm up to normal temperature while running at a fast idle and inspect the system to see if a leak becomes visible as the pressure builds up.

[gary baldy]

Yes i agree. I have just replaced my radiator on my SAAB 900. There was no apparent leak but i was losing coolant once pressure was built up and i was moving. My car was apprently running fine aswell - apart from having to top up every 100 miles. If you are losing 2 litres a day it sounds too bad to cure with Radweld. Sounds like a new radiator i'm afraid (unlesss you are very lucky and its just a leaking pipe)

[BillyNoMates]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I flush the cooling system every 2 years because of the potential of corrosion in this engine due to the aluminium head and cast iron block. It's a Volvo recommendation.

I am certain that the coolant is not leaking externally to the engine - I.e. no loss from any hoses, radiator, heater matrix. There is no indication of water in the oil so I am at a loss.

[BillyNoMates]

Problem solved - it was thankfully a pinhole leak in the radiator. New radiator and antifreeze now installed.

[sumpy]

hope you put radweld in it too? this is normal practice as bmw factories and ford put radweld in there cooling systems from new,