Discussion
Haven't had time to give the Roadster any TLC lately and it has paid me back in full - checked the fluids yesterday to find the header tank empty and the top of the radiator core visible through the rad cap 
Topped it up and didn't seem to lose anything yesterday driving 50 miles or so. Had a poke about this morning and the level in the header tank is a bit lower and can see a wet patch on the road under the car (under the undertray so no idea where it's coming from in the engine bay). Assuming it is coolant on the road then at least it's not the head gasket.
It's not immediately obvious where it's coming from, all the coolant hoses look dry but I'll get under the car and check the bottom hose tomorrow. I guess it could be the rad or the water pump...
Any suggestions where to start looking?
Topped it up and didn't seem to lose anything yesterday driving 50 miles or so. Had a poke about this morning and the level in the header tank is a bit lower and can see a wet patch on the road under the car (under the undertray so no idea where it's coming from in the engine bay). Assuming it is coolant on the road then at least it's not the head gasket.
It's not immediately obvious where it's coming from, all the coolant hoses look dry but I'll get under the car and check the bottom hose tomorrow. I guess it could be the rad or the water pump...
Any suggestions where to start looking?
Also check the 2 hoses at the back of the engine Going to and from the heater matrix.
I found one of these to be split and leaking but ONLY under load and not at idle or when the engine was off.
I didn't catch it untill it got worse and sprayed water all over the coil pack and caused a temporary missfire.
Also I do believe they are prone to minor leaks around the temp coolant sensor on the back of the engine too.
Warren.
I found one of these to be split and leaking but ONLY under load and not at idle or when the engine was off.
I didn't catch it untill it got worse and sprayed water all over the coil pack and caused a temporary missfire.
Also I do believe they are prone to minor leaks around the temp coolant sensor on the back of the engine too.
Warren.
Cheers guys - the heater hoses split a few months ago on the way to the MOT so those are fresh.
I've just had a poke about (took off the induction kit/heat shield and opened the flap on the undertray). the LH side (looking from the front) of the undertray is bone dry, and given that it's dripping from the hole on the bottom of the tray it must be coming from the front half of the engine bay on the RH side (or it is running onto it). Too dark to jack up the car so can't see directly into the undertray flap, but bottom hose feels dry. I can see what I think is coolant on the front antiroll bar just in front of the steering rack so it may be dripping from above.
So, it could be the rad - I can't really get to it to see the hoses - or maybe the water pump.
The coolant level is at max (having over filled it a touch Sat lunchtime, so it's hardly pouring out. I put a piece of cardboard under it and in the time I was poking around (half an hour) there was only 1, maybe 2 drops on it.
I've just had a poke about (took off the induction kit/heat shield and opened the flap on the undertray). the LH side (looking from the front) of the undertray is bone dry, and given that it's dripping from the hole on the bottom of the tray it must be coming from the front half of the engine bay on the RH side (or it is running onto it). Too dark to jack up the car so can't see directly into the undertray flap, but bottom hose feels dry. I can see what I think is coolant on the front antiroll bar just in front of the steering rack so it may be dripping from above.
So, it could be the rad - I can't really get to it to see the hoses - or maybe the water pump.
The coolant level is at max (having over filled it a touch Sat lunchtime, so it's hardly pouring out. I put a piece of cardboard under it and in the time I was poking around (half an hour) there was only 1, maybe 2 drops on it.
OK, I've had a really good poke around (including dropping part of the induction kit down the back of the engine and it getting stuck under an engine mount - took me nearly an hour to get it out!). Not much coolant has dropped while it was on the drive, and like I say, there are drips of coolant on the anti roll bar - it looks as if it is under the crank pulley but further back under the engine (ie where the water pump is iirc).
Adding these two together looks like it is the water pump which looks like a big job (cambelt driven) so I will have to ring the garage.
Adding these two together looks like it is the water pump which looks like a big job (cambelt driven) so I will have to ring the garage.
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