2.0 S70 losing water...

[tvradict]

My 2.0 S70 has started losing water. I noticed a leak about a fortnight ago which I narrowed down to a very small hole in the top hose where it connects to the rad.

On sunday, I checked all my levels etc. Water fine.

Monday I drove for about 3 miles and my low water light came on. No water in water bottle. Took 2 litres to top it up.

Its done this everyday since. Problem is, I can see no obvious leak and have no idea where this water is going.

I did wonder this morning if it was caused by driving, the extra strain on the engine causing the leak, but I cant look under the car and drive at the same time.

Anyone any ideas what to check first. On monday I checked all the jubilees on the 2 hoses and replaced 2 of them, just in case.

I cant help but think its the water pump, but again, there is no indication under the car there is a leak from the engine. The car was doing something similar last summer, only it was overheating and boiling all the water away, which turned out to be the thermostat.

Cheers
Stuart

[Rockatansky]

Heater matrix is known to fail in these cars, is the carpet in the passenger side footwell wet by any chance?

FWIW I've read encouraging reports about a leak sealer called K-Seal (search for it on ebay). Might be worth a punt at less than a tenner.

[tvradict]

I'll have a look at the passenger footwell when I go back outside. My mum was in the passenger seat this morning and she didnt mention any water, but then, she didnt notice a broken front spring on her car on monday.

I was thinking about one of these sealants, I'm sure my local motor factor stocks k-seal, but before I start using sealants I want to try and figure out whats up with it. Ive heard that using a sealant can do more harm than good depending whats wrong.

[Rockatansky]

tvradict said:

I was thinking about one of these sealants, I'm sure my local motor factor stocks k-seal, but before I start using sealants I want to try and figure out whats up with it. Ive heard that using a sealant can do more harm than good depending whats wrong.

Agreed, in principle it would be better to find and fix the fault rather than mask it with a sealer.

That said, if it were something like the matrix (which is a bit of a pig to change) it may be worth trying the sealant. I'm led to believe that K-Seal does not cause as much of a problem re. clogging up the cooling system.

Good luck.

[tvradict]

Cheers.

I've been out and there is a big puddle under the car, the water seems to been dropping from the front of the car, so now I'm thinking radiator. I'm gonna go out with a few gallons of water and see if I can find the problem.

[tvradict]

Well, the car has just poured a gallon of water all over the road, and I've found the lead. The water is coming out of the radiator about half way down on the drivers side.

Time for some sealant I think.

[bimsb6]

sounds more like time for a new rad !

[dibo5171]

Have you checked the radiator cap? it looks like something of no importance, but it may cause radiator to lose water..