Major coolant leak!

[TimmerTVR]

Hello,

Probably a stupid question but whats the quickest and easiest way to locate the source of the problem? i know its not the radiator but i honestly can't see where else it is coming from.

I'd have to wait till easter to get it up on axle stnds btw so any ideas?

[groomi]

Have you got a big puddle under the car or just checked the level and found it to be very low?

[TimmerTVR]

Well for about a month it would be very low thus requiring refilling quite often but after a recent drive it has a constant drip and also is somehow getting on to the engine and burning as there was some steam from the bonnet.

[groomi]

If the level is constantly low but you can't see a drip anywhere then it could be the head gasket.

With steam coming from the engine bay but no obvious signs of a leak, it could be a small leak from a perished hose which is dripping somewhere. It would suggest one of the upper hoses if it's dripping onto the engine, rather than straight onto the ground.

Could it be that the level is low so you're topping it up a bit too much and the overflow is then dripping onto the engine causing steam?



PS: If you need to drain the system and replace any hoses when you identify the problem and fix it, be prepared for all the hoses to be well and truly perished. I would suggest budgeting to replace them all (with silicon hoses if you can afford it) and don't forget to replace the metal water pipe and thermostat at the same time. Makes sense to do all this once.

HTH

[marcford86]

A garage should have a coolant system pressure tester which will identify the leak once the system is put under pressure, so maybe worth taking it to a local garage to see if they can find anything?

[Simes205]

Is this on a 205?
Failed water pump does leak coolant.
It will drip down near to the cam belt.

[TimmerTVR]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Yes this is on a 205 GTI. Had a look today as i had to charge the battery. It is dripping underneath the car and unlike my previous statement there is no water on the top of the engine - i guess that must have been to the fact i looked after i had driven it. The expansion tank was completely empty today when i looked and i had filled it before my last trip. There is liquid underneath the engine possibly towards the back beneath the exhaust manifold, nothing at the front or at the top.

I guess it may be a trip to the garage but that will have to wait.

Thanks again.

[TEKNOPUG]

Mine did this and I thought that it was the head gasket – fortunately it turned out that it was just the expansion cap that was knackered and needed replacing.