Coolant Loss

[Ictoanuk]

Hi,

My Wreg 2000 V5 (150) is loosing coolant.

It falls from max to min over about ten days to two weeks, possibly more quickly when the air con has been used. It is definitely a leak because there is water on the drive under the car. I have looked hard but cannot identify where it is leaking from but it 'may' be from the back of the engine but I cannot be sure. I have felt around underneath but cannot feel any drips and I cannot see any stains in the engine bay, just the one on the drive. The cooling system is not pressurising and there is no mayonnaise anywhere. The temp remains a steady 90 deg. The air con seems to work effectively, cools when required and can heat if asked to.

On Golfs I've had in the past there has been a plastic water union which bolted onto the block and would leak from the seal to the block. Although I cannot see anything under all the covers and bits and pieces on the V5 I'm wondering if there may be anything similar. Or has anyone else experienced the same water loss without any other symptoms?

Cheers,
Tim

 

[wagvr6]

try looking at the water pipe connector under the ignition coils (where a distributer used to go!)
as they sometimes get a slow leak thats hard to spot.

 

[Ictoanuk]

Thanks for that wagvr6, I'll have a look there when it's light.

Tim

PS Had a quick look with a lamp and cannot see anything but I can feel water.

You wouldn't happen to know the part number/name for this connector and how much needs to be taken off to get at it?

Many thanks.

 

[wagvr6]

sorry dont know what its called just had a similar prob on a vr6 engine ,
good luck

 

[Ictoanuk]

OK,
Many thanks anyway.

Tim

 

[TllEWL]

Could be a small leak in the top of the rad.

Mine was (about the same age, 105k miles)


Have a poke around, but be careful - it had held together with regular topping-up for about 6 months - then the water pump impeller fell off and the resulting heat/pressure blew a small chunk of it away. When the garage came to fix it, they said they had literally pulled handfuls of the old radiator away it was so badly corroded - so don't poke too hard !

 

[Ictoanuk]

Thanks T11ewl, I will have a look at the rad as well but I think the water pipe connector seal is favourite at the moment.

Cheers Tim

 

[StuC]

Thanks T11ewl, I will have a look at the rad as well but I think the water pipe connector seal is favourite at the moment.

Cheers Tim

Anyway luck with that? Mine is the same

 

[Damoegan]

I've just had to have my rediator replaced (on the last day of my warranty ) on my 54' plate mk4 cupra. Was loosing about the same amount of coolant but ovre half the time, the radiator was cracked where the bottom hose connects to the radiaror itself.

Try getting it pressure tessted, thats how I fount the problem, it should only cost a few quid mate.

 

[w3bb0]

could be the thermostat or housing

hi there have u cheacked the thermostat and houseing mine has started leaking from there orderd a new thermostat and housing from seat £61 put a new washer on last week it did the trick but not for long i know they a ain to get out took me ages to sus it out that could be were ya leak is m8

 

[Ictoanuk]

Hi w3bb0, sorry for delay in replying.
I had changed the thermostat housing, which was leaking a bit. They are just plastic and I've had problems with them in the past with a couple of Golfs.

I did eventually get to the bottom of my problem. It turned out to be a washer for a connection at the very back of the head, under the plenum chamber. It took an age for the garage to find (they were on the verge of changing the head gasket when they found out what it was) and it has been perfect ever since.

So, for any one with water leaking from the back of the engine and you can't see where it is coming from, get the plenum chamber and all the rest of the gubbins in that area off and you might just find the cause there.

HTH

Tim