why would a horsebox go through a lot of water?

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silverstar

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In the summer I had to transport my horse a bit of a distance about 150 miles or so and we had a traffic jam on way back, anyway the box was overheating and the cooler came on. This happened about 20 minutes later when I again filled up the water.

Anyway just wondering what this could be?

Dad reckons it could be a hole somewhere in the pipe or could need a new fan. So what could it be & any ideas on cost? (Im going to take it in to garage but not until after xmas).
 
Had this with one of our cars and it was a split in the hose to the radiator. Hubby is an RAC patrol so fixed it ourselves.
 
Just asked me RAC other half for you, says it would be good to flush the cooling system and then make sure its got plenty of anti freeze in it. However, it could be anything from head gasket to split in a hose. Sorry not be more specific but he says it could be anything really and to get it sorted before the really cold and frosty weather sets in.
 
JoG said:
Pour some Radweld through it - will plug any leaks :)
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DO NOT use rad weld please! If you are having overheating problems caused by radiator issues, radweld will make it worse and potentially cost you more in the long run (replacing parts that it chokes up).
It sounds to me like you have a small leak, will could be a waterpump gasket or even a seal, when the water (coolant) heats the system up any weak areas obviously expand and thus the water leaks. If you can't afford to have anything done til after xmas then just be ultra careful about keeping the water/antifreeze topped up and go easy with it.
If you want a more detailed explaination of how radweld works then just let me know.
BTW I used to build,sell and refurb radiators and water pumps for cars and lorries!
 
JoG said:
OH NO!!! This means I may have been unintentionally implicated in the sad and sudden death of Jean-Pierre peugeot at the side of the M20!! I am a car murderer!!! :(:(:(
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Haha, panic ye not my dear child, in the case of modern car radiators they are mostly made of cylindrical tubes (esp peugeot and citroen), where as historically most radiators are made from flatter thin oblong pipes which means the flow is compromised when rad-weld is added (it coats the inside of the tubes).
And car radiators are WAYYYY cheaper than wagon ones!
 
Well the water has to be going somwhere and if you cant see it leeking onto the floor then ( correct me if i'm wrong) it is going into the sump, if when the engine is running and with the rad cap off you can see air bubbles in the water, that sugests it could be H/G I wont say the word as yes it can be expensive. hope its just a hose.
 
To see if its HG and/or head, take the oil filler cap off and see if you have any orangey residue, if the water has been mixing with the oil, it will leave a slimey orange sludge inside, or have a look in the header tank (where you put the water in) and you will probably see the same
 
i would find out before driving it again, because if the engine overheats through lack of coolant the engine could blow up and cost lots, i know it happened to mine
 
Baggybreeches said:
To see if its HG and/or head, take the oil filler cap off and see if you have any orangey residue, if the water has been mixing with the oil, it will leave a slimey orange sludge inside, or have a look in the header tank (where you put the water in) and you will probably see the same
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Will try this, thanks. It wont get used now till after Xmas, hopefully when I get my horse. But i'll be putting some antifreeze in it.

Baggybreaches - why what can radweld do?
 
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I had a lorry years ago that had water loss - it used to happen intermittently and the reason was never found for it. Used to go through roadworks on the motorway with my fingers crossed that it wouldn't decide to happen during them. A couple of big truck garages did endless investigations into and it remained a mystery. Hope you get yours sorted.
 
Hmm bit confused. I've checked the oil and thats fine no orangey colours there but the water is orangey. Ive topped it up with antifreeze. Going to visit my mechanic tomorrow she what he says but it sounds like a headgasket. It sounds okay when running tho and I couldnt see any leaks but Im no expert.
 
penfold said:
Hmm bit confused. I've checked the oil and thats fine no orangey colours there but the water is orangey. Ive topped it up with antifreeze. Going to visit my mechanic tomorrow she what he says but it sounds like a headgasket. It sounds okay when running tho and I couldnt see any leaks but Im no expert.
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what lorry is it??? yes as others have said if you cant see a leak then its possibly more
serious, but are you filling the tank right to the top as it needs some space for expansion and will blow some out when it gets warmed up .. the other and very important thing is never top up with water only as it will dilute the coolant which protects the engine from corrosion, raises the boiling point and stops it freezing.. so i would ask you mecanic to flush and refill the system with 50/50 anti freeze water mix ...
 
perfect11s said:
what lorry is it??? yes as others have said if you cant see a leak then its possibly more
serious, but are you filling the tank right to the top as it needs some space for expansion and will blow some out when it gets warmed up .. the other and very important thing is never top up with water only as it will dilute the coolant which protects the engine from corrosion, raises the boiling point and stops it freezing.. so i would ask you mecanic to flush and refill the system with 50/50 anti freeze water mix ...
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My box is 1993 M reg Renault Master. No not filling it to the top but did just put water in it, oops. I will ask mechanic to flush and refill it. Ive just put some antifreeze in it.
 
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