Empty coolant tank after long drive

[MattWill]

I noticed a leak of a few blue spots on the garage floor a couple of weeks ago and topped up the coolant. It only needed a tiny top up and after driving 150 miles I checked again and the tank was fine

However after a longish drive yesterday I noticed some blue drips on the garage floor this morning, checked the coolant tank and found it’s completely empty. No lights came on , the temperature was normal and the car drove fine. Have I damaged the engine?

I can’t see an obvious leak, think it needs a ramp. Can I fill it up and carefully (regularly checking the tank) drive to a garage or should I get it towed?

 

[conaero]

It probably the radiator.

Does your car have the undertray fitted?

If not it is incredibly easy to hit the underside of the rad and fracture it.

If the undertray is there, the coolant tends to puddle on the undertray and run off the back inline with the front wheels.

Simplest way to check is take the undertray off, get the car up to full running temp and get a pressure pump and put it on the coolant tank filler and pressurise.

Wait 15-30 mins with it pressurised and trace where to coolant is escaping.

Head gasket is another possible but these cars are not known for it take the oil cap off and check for a mayonnaise type substance on the cap

 

[MattWill]

Thanks. I do have an undertray and you’re right, the coolant has puddled on the tray. I don’t have pressure pump, ramp etc - should I take this to my Maser specialist (a long way!) or could a local garage check/repair?

 

[conaero]

Village garage will find it I’m sure

 

[Brendan]

You could try your, but in my experience the local may be reluctant to touch it

 

[philw696]

Have a good look around the oil water pump unit when pressure tested to see if anything coming out of the weep hole.

 

[redsonnylee]

I had a coolant leak, turned out it was the pipe from the engine to the radiator, it had slightly perished on one end and the jubilee clip had cut into it, I had to use a bright torch but just managed to see a drop of pink liquid.
Might be worth checking that area also.
It use to leak about a teaspoonful a week when not using the GS but when I took it out it would use a lot of fluid probably due to everything getting hot.

 

[midlifecrisis]

I had a coolant leak, turned out it was the pipe from the engine to the radiator, it had slightly perished on one end and the jubilee clip had cut into it, I had to use a bright torch but just managed to see a drop of pink liquid.
Might be worth checking that area also.
It use to leak about a teaspoonful a week when not using the GS but when I took it out it would use a lot of fluid probably due to everything getting hot.

More likely pressure.
The Maserati hoses are the cheapest available, triple ply silicone are a better solution.