water leak on newly purchase car!

[meltonlad]

i have just got my toledo 1.8 20v se yr 2000. i did every thing that i should have done before handing over the cash. looked at, test drove it, checked out mot history online, did hpi check and so on. but now ive got it home ive driven all of 9 miles and found a water leak (only leaks when warm) but the biggest problem is i think the head may have gone ive got some creamy stuff on the oil cap but not on dip stick.... i rang the dealer i got it from and he said it was comdonsation been standing for 8 weeks but i think he talking ..... i checked the oil and oil cap before the test drive but i think he may have cleaned it up before hand... i paid 2k for it with 3 months warranty but WHY should i have to claim on that when the problem was there from the start. plus will the warranty company pay out they could just put it down to wear and tear.... what should i do and where do i stand...... please help me if you can

 

[Fl@pper]

if you are that unhappy isn't there a legal thingy 14 day return period or similar ?

 

[meltonlad]

not sure about that but i like the car and all i want is it fixed plus i part ex my car so now im car less as i dont want to drive the toledo until i know its ok to drive (dont want to cause more damage). i did ring the c.a.b but they hadant a clue....

 

[NiSk]

Take the car for a good run - at least 20 miles, get it up to a good working temperature - and THEN check for mayonaise under the oil filler cap. If the head gasket has gone you can check that by performing a compression test. That will reveal any compression drop (often between two adjacent cylinders). All you need to do is unscrew the spark plugs and screw in a compression gauge. You can pick them up from a halfords or other accessory shop or even loan one from a friendly garage.

If the cars not blowing water out of the cooling system (not just leaking slightly) then it doesnt sound like a head gasket.

 

[DPJ]

Is the water level going down, or is the leak actually water dripping fron the aircon?

 

[Slimy]

My girlfriends car had the mayonnaise under the cap, in her case its caused by the car doing 3 miles per journey and never actually getting up to temperature. The same will happen if the car is left standing, it will need a good journey to burn off the condensation. Its also why exhausts tend to fail before their time, the same condensation gets into the exhaust and if it never gets hot enough to get rid of it, it just rots through from the inside.

So what the dealer was saying is actually right, as is Nisk.

The problem you have is that the water leak is obviously getting rid of the water, so you can't really tell whether the engine is also using the water. The water leak should definitely be fixed under the warranty, so get that sorted first. I wouldn't worry about claiming under the warranty, its not as if you only get one claim. While warranties are very rarely worth the paper they're written on, you should be able to get the leak fixed.

 

[Tolly]

Is the warranty direct from the garage you bought it from or from a specialist company i.e. Warranty Plan etc....

If its from a specialist company they are usually very difficult and time consuming to claim from which is how they make the money... You also generally have to pay for all of the work first, then argue with the company for re-imbursement.

The garage may come to a compromise as TBH 2k is quite a lot for a 2000 model. I purchased a 1.8 20v se 7 weeks ago on a 53 plate for the same money...

 

[Carcrazy]

I think the dealer may be right.

Why dont you go in for a long drive and keep the enngine rolling for about 100 miles.I think there should be no problems there after.

 

[meltonlad]

i have today been back to the dealer and he says they will fix the water leak. also got a problem with the remote locking and he going to sort that. as for the head i will have to take it on a good run over the weekend and see... the warranty is from the dealer and is with the rac. after seeing the dealer today i cant nock him he sorting it so all is good. thanks for all the replys. i will update you after the weekend on the head.