Water Loss?

[zook123]

Right, 2002 G13a engine (same as the 1.3 SJ's except it's fuel injected)

Drove to Brighton over the weekend - 300+ miles, temp guage never went over half way.
When I got there, was stuck in stop start traffic, and the Oil Pressure Light started flickering.
Pulled over, found half the water had gone from the expansion tank but oil was still fine.
I parked up for the night and let it cool down.
Next day, checked oil, it's fine, checked water and it's still half way.

Recently added some oil (5w30) which I understand is quite a thin oil for this engine.

Driving back from Brighton, no water loss, and no oil light.

Drove to work yesterday, oil light flickered again, and also used half the expansion tank again!

Any ideas before I book it in?

[Anton]

An air lock in the water system can cause the engine to "suddenly" suck up water from the expansion bottle. Basically the air is trapped until the engine warms up and the air moves around, and you end up with air in the radiator, which can make the rad suck water out of the expansion bottle.

At least, that's what happened to me, and I thought I had a water leak until I realised.

Does your oil light flicker at tickover only, or at any revs? Mine flickers at about 600rpm, because the oil pump is basically not working at those revs. It's nothing to be worried about if that's the case.

If it's flickering at higher revs, then it could be a faulty oil pump?

[zook123]

The Oil Light flickered whenever I put my foot on the clutch, and when stopped at traffic lights.

It hasn't come on this morning, or last night - but it didn't get very hot!

Speaking to Dan on Facebook, he said about the fan, when it's hot, I can't easily turn it, same goes before i start it in the morning.

Got it booked in the garage for tomorrow morning, to get a few tests done to put my mind at ease.

No point spending money on it, if it needs a major overhaul!

[ScottieJ]

Maybe the oil is too thin, get some 10w30 in it asap.

The oil light should never come on in a healthy engine. Everytime that light comes on, even if it's just faint damage is being done to your engine. G series engines need good oil pressure.

[Anton]

Just to be clear - I raised my idle speed so the oil pressure light went out. 800 rpm did it. 600rpm was a bit too low anyway, it was close to stalling all the time.

[zook123]

Little update, garage has taken look, found a rad hose clip to be a little loose, he's ran it for a while, done pressure tests and it's fine.

They have advised a new radiator at some point, I'll also look at replacing the rad cap too.

Regarding the oil light, it's because of the oil being too thin, so i'll flush it tomorrow!

Time to start the mods!