Coolant leak

wotsthestory

My engine had it's head changed at 42K according to service history due to coolant leak.

However, my car is leaking coolant at the following rate, when topped up the coolant level can drop to bring the check light on after 200-300 miles. It appears to happen sooner when stuck in M25 traffic (which happens a lot), however the car has rarely ever moved of the 82-85 degree on the temperature guage. I've only ever heard the fan kick in once since buying the car (yes I know it's quieter than my cavalier was drool.gif ), but my Cavalier old though it was would kick the fan in multiple times on my journey home and bounce off the 100 degree mark many times in traffic, but ran just fine like that.

I have noticed that there is a small amount of water on the Gearbox, underneath what I assume to be the bottom hose, which also has a t-piece into the coolant tank.

Is it possible it's just this whole pipe that needs replacement (which looks bloody long and fiddly!).

Cheers as always guys.

Bri

vocky

it's possible that it's the expansion tank cap which requires replacing dunno..

wotsthestory

Really? Cheap enough to try I guess.

I never see any leaks, and apart from this tiny amount of water on top of the gearbox (but I may be looking for it, if you know what I mean).

I'll get a brand new one from the dealers at the weekend.

Bri

vocky

the other possible cause is the thermostat housing gasket, this sits above the gearbox.

wotsthestory

In actual fact, changing both would be pennies, is the thermostat housing straightforward to come out then?

vocky

here it is on my vec, top right of the block

wotsthestory

You are a star, thanks a bundle! I was only looking at that this afternoon, I can ensure the clip is in the right place also, hasn't slipped down or been disturbed causing a small leak.

wotsthestory

I've just been out and put my new intake pipe on, the old had oil running underneath from the cam-cover breather, not pretty.

Anyway, the thermostat housing fixing is obscured on the top left, by what look like an earthing strap and a big bracket.

By the looks of it, I'll have to take most of this off to get at the bolt and looks a little fiddly.

I've nipped up the bottom right one and I'll see if that makes an improvement, until I get the new gasket. I have a replacement water cap on the way from ebay.

Bri