Coolant leak, where's the source?

[Brady93]

Hi all,

Recently bought a 1.4 Ibiza and noticed the coolant level in the expansion tank was dropping slowly. Had a peak under the front and its dripping from around the draining tap at the bottom of the radiator.

It's not the connection from the coolant hose into the tap as its all dry around there, the coolant is on the join between the tap and the radiator? There also appears to be some coolant on the very bottom corner of the radiator itself (see photos). I can't pinpoint the exact source though! :S

I've attached some photos; would anyone be able to shed some light on this?

Much appreciated!


i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/93Brady/photopaint_zps5ba4fa14.jpg

i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/93Brady/photo1paint_zps7a363ad7.jpg

 

[BrettBlade]

Pics aren't working for me?

 

[Brady93]

Are the links dead?

 

[Badger]

 

[Brady93]

Thanks!

Could it be the join between the tap unit and the radiator? Is that where the O-ring is?

 

[Badger]

The O-ring is located in that coupler, held in with a U-clip.

Is there any coolant, above that coupler? Either the coupler or radiator?

 

[Brady93]

Had the car revved today and no coolant was dripping from anywhere do it only seems to leak when it wants to. Above the coupling (about 15cm above) there's another connection (I think it's for wires?) held in place by a big gold nut, there's coolant around the lower half of that nut where the nut lies flat against a surface, there's also a trail of liquid (couldn't tell the colour) coming from the nut and proceeding downwards at an angle towards the fan.

If that nut holds a coolant pipe then I'd assume it's coming from there, but it doesn't hold a coolant pipe from what I could tell?

I'll link another picture tomorrow to better describe it! (can't upload at the mo).

 

[Badger]

Upload the picture to photobucket as you did before and 'code' the link in, I'll get it to display!

 

[MATT RILEY]

Sounds like the fan switch (gold thing with wires) or fan switch gasket is leaking. If it is the gasket its pence.

 

[Brady93]

I can't upload them to photo bucket through my phone

That sounds possible Matt! Excuse my ignorance here but I assume coolant flows into the switch past the gold nut and into a dead end where there's a temperature sensor? Hence why there's wires sticking out one side of the nut but possibly coolant leaking from the other?

 

[Brady93]

Idled the engine this morning and these are the results. You can tell from the 'above' shot that there's not really any coolant above the fan switch in the engine bay.


Before (Almost no coolant between nut and radiator):

i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/93Brady/photosfsdf_zps10e97340.jpg

After (98% sure the coolants leaking from the nut now):

i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/93Brady/photofrf_zpsdfba3d69.jpg

Above shot:

i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/93Brady/photo_zpsd851d2e6.jpg

 

[Badger]

Before

After