Coolant leaking - half a tank in less than 24 hours

[ibizaprick]

Hello everyone

Apologies for asking a similar question to what's already out there - I've searched and found similar problems.

Yesterday after driving home from work (15 mins), I noticed a massive puddle under the car. I checked under the bonnet and noticed the coolant was right down, so walked to a nearby car parts shop and got coolant. I filled it up, left it overnight; and the level hadn't dropped at all.

Drove to work this morning, and within the 15 minute drive its lost half the tank of coolant.

There's no engine management light on or anything, no white smoke when am driving. Any idea what might be causing it?

I was due to sell the car this week but had to cancel the guy coming to buy it as it's not right to sell it like this - any ideas? don't want to spend £500 on it if can help it if am selling.

 

[RUM4MO]

I'd think that there is a leak some where, and not internal to the engine. What you now need to do is, starting with a cold engine and fuel cooling system, leave the engine running as the temperature and pressure rise, the water will start to spray out and you should be able to find the leak. Worst case would be a leaking water pump and that would mean replacing the cambelt.

I'm guessing here that it is a 1.4 petrol engine.

 

[ibizaprick]

I'd think that there is a leak some where, and not internal to the engine. What you now need to do is, starting with a cold engine and fuel cooling system, leave the engine running as the temperature and pressure rise, the water will start to spray out and you should be able to find the leak. Worst case would be a leaking water pump and that would mean replacing the cambelt.

I'm guessing here that it is a 1.4 petrol engine.

Thanks for the reply - yeah its a 1.4 TSI petrol engine.

It dropped about 1/10th overnight, however after driving it for 10 mins the level drops even more. I'll leave the engine running and bonnet open to see if I can spot any leaks with it

It's booked in for tomorrow to try and get it sorted

 

[dm222]

Did you overfill the deposit? What you mean by half of the tank? Because the maximum level is near the middle.

 

[ibizaprick]

Did you overfill the deposit? What you mean by half of the tank? Because the maximum level is near the middle.

I've only over filled it since it started leaking - I called my local seat garage who told me to fill it slightly over and see if it still drops significantly. Prior to this it had gone from the max line to well below the minimum, so half from the max line to the bottom

 

[RUM4MO]

Ah, I had not considered it being a TSI engine! One of the heat exchangers, ie charge cooler near the front - holed by a stone?

Edit:- or as boring as the main radiator? All speculation from me!

 

[RUM4MO]

And the problem that caused this was??

 

[RUM4MO]

Cough Cough, has he gone?