HELP: weird water leak
Discussion
riddle me this batman....
car is leaking water... so far done aboot 200 miles since bought car and used 2 litres of the stuff (well 50/50 water antifreeze)
there is a pool of it under the engine (i.e. NOT under the radiator) in garage.
The only time I've ever actually seen it leak was when I parked in the garage then about 1 minute after I switched engine off I heard a spash, and there was a fresh cupfull of coolant on the garage floor under the engine.
It's in Kerridges just now but they have not been able to replicate it.
Funny thing is they say it was over filled (nearly up to brim). I can only assume this was because engine was still a bit warm, as when I I checked it this morning before starting it (definately cold as had been sitting in garage for 2 weeks) it had about the right 1cm of water showing).
And if it was leaking due to overfilling it would/should leak at the plastic cap should it not ? or is there another pressure release valve somewhere ? Kerridges say not.
Previous owner seemed to reckon it was a dried out seal but Kerridges reckon this is unlikely.
The only other thing I can think of is that when switched off, there is some residual heat build up in the engine and this excess pressure is pushing some water out a seal somewhere around the engine ?
'Course unless they can replicate it it's impossible to do anything else and they have pressure tested the system and there is no leaks....
anyone have any ideas ?
puzzled stu
car is leaking water... so far done aboot 200 miles since bought car and used 2 litres of the stuff (well 50/50 water antifreeze)
there is a pool of it under the engine (i.e. NOT under the radiator) in garage.
The only time I've ever actually seen it leak was when I parked in the garage then about 1 minute after I switched engine off I heard a spash, and there was a fresh cupfull of coolant on the garage floor under the engine.
It's in Kerridges just now but they have not been able to replicate it.
Funny thing is they say it was over filled (nearly up to brim). I can only assume this was because engine was still a bit warm, as when I I checked it this morning before starting it (definately cold as had been sitting in garage for 2 weeks) it had about the right 1cm of water showing).
And if it was leaking due to overfilling it would/should leak at the plastic cap should it not ? or is there another pressure release valve somewhere ? Kerridges say not.
Previous owner seemed to reckon it was a dried out seal but Kerridges reckon this is unlikely.
The only other thing I can think of is that when switched off, there is some residual heat build up in the engine and this excess pressure is pushing some water out a seal somewhere around the engine ?
'Course unless they can replicate it it's impossible to do anything else and they have pressure tested the system and there is no leaks....
anyone have any ideas ?
puzzled stu
I am beginning to think the problem may be caused by my muppetry too....
I'd like to say it's the first time, but Gary (aka Mr Freefall) will confirm it is not.
I didn't fill it any more than that I thought, but the difference between 1 cm and 1.5cm is probably about a cup of water.....
I reckon it's over pressurizing with residual heat and instead of popping the cap off (which lets face it.. a nuclear bomb would not shift the thing) is pushing it out of some other seal (I just hope to hell not the head gasket but that would seem most likely).
Any hoo... they took some coolant out as said it had too much in it. Told me to not top it up for 2 weeks and just rely on my temp gauges and fans.
After 2 weeks, check it then.
Seems good advice to be honest.
First time I've used Kerridges. Well impressed with them. MOT needed some weird stuff (antiroll bar ends re-threaded !!), but all done efficently and for a reasonable price. First outlay since I bought the car so was ready for a shocker!
Only thing that did grate with me was:
"and we have washed the car for you"
I mean, top marks and all that. But I was grating my teeth something awefull about that... after spending 10-15 hours removing all hair line scratches and applying 50 quid worth of polishing products the thing was perfect... they have now probably just removed most of my polish and added back loads of swirls from their old sponge and shammy leather. :-(
It's not that I can see new scratches. Rather that I can imagine there MIGHT be some new ones.
Now have another 10-15 hour saturday ahead doing the whole lot again.
anal stu
I'd like to say it's the first time, but Gary (aka Mr Freefall) will confirm it is not.
I didn't fill it any more than that I thought, but the difference between 1 cm and 1.5cm is probably about a cup of water.....
I reckon it's over pressurizing with residual heat and instead of popping the cap off (which lets face it.. a nuclear bomb would not shift the thing) is pushing it out of some other seal (I just hope to hell not the head gasket but that would seem most likely).
Any hoo... they took some coolant out as said it had too much in it. Told me to not top it up for 2 weeks and just rely on my temp gauges and fans.
After 2 weeks, check it then.
Seems good advice to be honest.
First time I've used Kerridges. Well impressed with them. MOT needed some weird stuff (antiroll bar ends re-threaded !!), but all done efficently and for a reasonable price. First outlay since I bought the car so was ready for a shocker!
Only thing that did grate with me was:
"and we have washed the car for you"
I mean, top marks and all that. But I was grating my teeth something awefull about that... after spending 10-15 hours removing all hair line scratches and applying 50 quid worth of polishing products the thing was perfect... they have now probably just removed most of my polish and added back loads of swirls from their old sponge and shammy leather. :-(
It's not that I can see new scratches. Rather that I can imagine there MIGHT be some new ones.
Now have another 10-15 hour saturday ahead doing the whole lot again.
anal stu
andyvdg said:
When I first got my car I filled the coolant to just under the top of the horizontal pipe, and got the same symptoms you describe when I turned the engine off.
Had the same thing happen when it came back from its last service. As soon as the coolant level dropped again - hey presto, problem solved.Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff