Technical 2013 Fiat Ducato 2.3L – Coolant Loss + Light Grey Smoke (No Head Gasket Signs?)

[mrsillywalk]

I’m battling a frustrating coolant loss issue on my 2013 Ducato 2.3L Multijet (80k miles). The van starts with light grey smoke, and the coolant reservoir drops about 400ml weekly. No overheating, no milky oil, and a block test came back negative for combustion gases.

Key Symptoms:

• Coolant loss (no visible puddles, no oil contamination).
• Light grey smoke at cold start, smells slightly sweet and diesel-like.

What I’ve Checked:

1. Cooling System: Pressurized to 1.5 bar for 30 mins – no leaks at hoses, radiator, or water pump.
2. Oil Analysis: Not Milky.
3. block test was negative.

Questions for the Forum:

1. Has anyone encountered coolant loss without classic head gasket signs in a Ducato?
2. How reliable is a block test for ruling out micro-cracks in the engine?

Any help would be great, Cheers

 

[bugsymike]

I’m battling a frustrating coolant loss issue on my 2013 Ducato 2.3L Multijet (80k miles). The van starts with light grey smoke, and the coolant reservoir drops about 400ml weekly. No overheating, no milky oil, and a block test came back negative for combustion gases.

Key Symptoms:

• Coolant loss (no visible puddles, no oil contamination).
• Light grey smoke at cold start, smells slightly sweet and diesel-like.

What I’ve Checked:

1. Cooling System: Pressurized to 1.5 bar for 30 mins – no leaks at hoses, radiator, or water pump.
2. Oil Analysis: Not Milky.
3. block test was negative.

Questions for the Forum:

1. Has anyone encountered coolant loss without classic head gasket signs in a Ducato?
2. How reliable is a block test for ruling out micro-cracks in the engine?

Any help would be great, Cheers

Is that a "leak test" involving pressure testing each individual cylinder or a basic "sniffer test"
Re the "light grey smoke" at start up, if at no other times but worse with cold weather then check heater plug operation first.
I assume no error codes etc.