water leaks & steam

[denty]

Steam seems to be appearing from the near side of the bonnet. The water pump and head gasket seem to be okay, so I think it maybe the radiator, however I'm not too sure. Has anyone got any advise on what it could be? I've lost some water in the last few days - does this give any idnication? Any help is very welcome. You can only seem 'cooking engine' when the heater is on! So I'd best not use it until it's sorted.
Nick

[tvrbob]

Don't drive it in this condition. Big bills ahead if you do. Sounds like you have a leak. I'm guessing it's a small leak otherwise you'd have seen water under the car. Small leaks make big airlocks over time and this could now be causing an occasional airlock in the water pump which will stop flow causing localised overheating and steam. You need to top up and prime the system. Take the lid off the swirl pot, that's the alloy pot mounted on the cross member in front of the engine. This must be full and when you replace the lid you should squeeze the top hose to prime the air out of that.

[denty]

Thanks for the advice. I've primed the system this morning, and think I can see a small leak in the radiator but can't be too sure. I'll pop it into the dealers this week if they can fit me in! Fingers crossed the bill won't be too big.