Compression Testing - Dumping water

[Stu.Wilson]

Want to get my FD Compression tested as it has started dumping water again, it was doing this last summer but after changing a few pipes and the AST(new one, not metal though)  it worked ok. My main concern is that it may be an internal issue, i shouldn\'t think so though as was rebuilt in Aug \'04.

So was just wondering if worth getting prssure tested or any other areas i should look at first, as this problem seems to haunt me.

If pressure test can any garage do it or RX only garage, if RX only does any1 know nearest to Whitstable, Kent?

Many Thanks

Stu

[MillSpeed]

Where is it dumping water from? Did you change the AST cap when you changed the AST?

[Stu.Wilson]

Where is it dumping water from? Did you change the AST cap when you changed the AST?

It\'s dumping the water from the expansion tank by the wing, the AST come complete with the 0.9 cap. The buzzer does not sound while driving, but has started to when cold (i.e standing over night). One little thought though, i had the front bumper sprayed and some over spray has gone onto the oil rad, could this be causing any probs? over heating? I will be removing the paint 2mo morning when get chance.

stu

[MillSpeed]

I doubt that\'d make much difference. When you start it up in the morning, do you get a lot of steam coming out of the exhaust and if so does it persist for more than a couple of minutes? Also, pop the filler cap off when it\'s running (not while she\'s hot obviously!!) and look for a steady stream of bubbles rising to the surface of the coolant in the filler neck.

[maximtaylor]

Check the pipe that goes from the AST to the expansion bottle, it may have come off?

[Stu.Wilson]

The pipe is still in place, so not leaking from there. Wish it had of been that though, would have been nice. lol

First thing in the morning when i turn the engine on, i have a little smoke/steam but only for 30/60 sec. It does bubble up slightly, But then settle\'s down.

Have sneaky feeling could be ASt & cap again, as when engine turned off (after run of 6 mile) you can hear the air escaping from the neck of the AST, but if you apply pressure to the cap it seems to stem the release. It\'s like the cap is not seating correctly in the AST, is this common for AST/Caps to fail so quick? it was only brought summer last year.

Really appreciate the help.

Stu

[MillSpeed]

Great stuff, that would suggest that your coolant seals are still intact. Might be worth gettin another cap from halfords or a motor factors just to see if it helps the problem. They\'re only about a fiver. Then you can get the proper mazda one if it does the trick. Certainly sounds like the AST cap is to blame but it does seem strange that it\'s gone so quickly. Take it off and have a look at the seals, and also check if the return valve opens freely.

[Stu.Wilson]

Shall grab a cap, will borrow it off my mates FD(Cheers Carl) as i know his one works fine and can use his pressure tester for the coolant system. It should stay at 0.9 for 5mins i guess. Will have to let ya know how this goes. Thanks for your input, i\'l get ya a drink up at RSIII.

Cheers stu

[MillSpeed]

No probs buddy, keep us posted on developments!

[Stu.Wilson]

No probs buddy, keep us posted on developments!

Just to keep ya posted matey, i have not had the chance to pressure test the coolant system with my mates cap, but have tested it with the original cap. The system lost pressure to 0.8, have cleaned AST Cap seating and retested. But am now hearing water leaking from the coolant system, you can hear the hissing. It sounds like it\'s coming from the turbo pack area, i just can\'t see it!

Any ideas?

Cheers stu

Extra Note - The system has now lost even more pressure, right down to 0.5. Am positive it\'s this phantom leak.

[Martiny]

Yes, I have an idea.

There are 2 rubber pipes that feed the water to the Turbos. A few of us on here have had to replace those.

Also, look for water on top of the rear rotor housing, on the turbo side. there is a hose there that connects to the throttle body, and a some of us on here have had that leak, too.

[Stu.Wilson]

Yes, I have an idea.

There are 2 rubber pipes that feed the water to the Turbos. A few of us on here have had to replace those.

Also, look for water on top of the rear rotor housing, on the turbo side. there is a hose there that connects to the throttle body, and a some of us on here have had that leak, too.

Brilliant only two pipes, should be easy enough. luckily i\'ve already replaced the one from the Throttle body. So hopefully one of them two pipes on the turbo\'s, well i\'m off outside now to go fix it wish me luck!. Will post progress.

Stu

[7ForLife]

I had those two pipes go before. took me ages to find it was them. good luck

[clive]

Hi Stu,

When you top the car up only fill via the cap on the engine and do not put water in the other twpo filers as it could be that you have too much water in the system which will make it dump water.

Hope this helps.

[clive]

I would like to go and see it but have been too busy over the last few weeks, one day  :cool