Hi all

I suddenly started losing coolant from the reservoir and I think I'v traced the leak to the base of the radiator on the left (looking from the front of the car). The Haynes manual talks about the drainage plug being on the left of the radiator but it doesn't say whether that is looking from the front of the car or from inside). So, could it be the drainage plug needing tightened - I can't find the blessed thing as I don't have axle stands and am wary about going under a jacked up car without - or do I need to replace/repair the radiator. If it is repair can I use something like Radweld and, if so, how would I get it into the radiator? As you can tell, I'm entirely new to this so please forgive what may be very obvious questions!!

Thanks

Hi all

I suddenly started losing coolant from the reservoir and I think I'v traced the leak to the base of the radiator on the left (looking from the front of the car). The Haynes manual talks about the drainage plug being on the left of the radiator but it doesn't say whether that is looking from the front of the car or from inside). So, could it be the drainage plug needing tightened - I can't find the blessed thing as I don't have axle stands and am wary about going under a jacked up car without - or do I need to replace/repair the radiator. If it is repair can I use something like Radweld and, if so, how would I get it into the radiator? As you can tell, I'm entirely new to this so please forgive what may be very obvious questions!!

Thanks

Looking facing the car headlights... It's on the right hand side, nearest the bumper. You really can't miss it - and you can get under the car enough to gain access to the drainage plug without a jack or axle stands or ramps.

You will however need to remove the guard (which is held on by a few torx screws) to gain proper access. Not difficult by any means.

You can put radweld (or wynns radiator stop leak) straight into the coolant filling tank, and run as normal. I'd advise to mix it with some coolant first though to 'water' it down just to prevent it clogging anything up.

Anything else, just let us know

If the leak is from the left as you face the car, then it won't be one of the hose connectors or the thermo switch leaking.

To drain I personally just take the bottom hose off at the bottom front of the engine as it saves removing the under tray, bit lazy I know http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/207323-14mpi-changing-thermostat-and-flushing-coolant-system/

I'm not sure if the bumper has to come off to replace the radiator.

Thanks for that, I guess it must be something like the welds at the bottom of the radiator as I can't see any obvious gushings of coolant from the faces of the rad.

Cheers

It will be the fan switch, pretty common as they don't put a washer on it. take it out, clean it up, small amount of PTFE tape and put it back in, should sort it.

Hi again

Had another look at the engine/rad. When I open the reservoir the fluid seems to be dripping down from inside the left hand side of the shroud (as you look at the car from the front) which fits Tech1e's theory re the thermoswitch. On consulting the Haynes it blithely tells me simply to find the switch and unscrew it - no mention of removing the shroud but without doing so I can't see the blessed switch. I also can't see how to remove the shroud without major surgery and Haynes isn't desperately helpful. I can see the various bolts to be undone but once undone there seem to be too many other things in the way to actually extract the thing. My Fabia has two fans behind the radiator if that helps anyone to know what I can do. Or is it simply a matter of a visit to Mr Cl**ch or my friendly neighbourhood Skoda dealer?

Thanks

You get to the switch from underneath, take the under tray off and it's just above the bottom hose.

Doh! Sorry for being so dim!

Ok, found the bottom hose and the switch but they are on the opposite side from the leak. The hose and switch are on the right (looking from the front), the leak is on the left looking from the front.

Guess I'm going to have to pay out for this one :(

Thanks anyway for the suggestions

It will be the fan switch, pretty common as they don't put a washer on it. take it out, clean it up, small amount of PTFE tape and put it back in, should sort it.

Neither the fan switch nor the 'thermo switch' have washers....or are they the same thing? Just trying to diagnose a wet patch from under the front of the engine towards the passenger side. What could be leaking if it's from the driver side? Had a small patch two weeks ago but never again since then...

Neither the fan switch nor the 'thermo switch' have washers....or are they the same thing? Just trying to diagnose a wet patch from under the front of the engine towards the passenger side. What could be leaking if it's from the driver side? Had a small patch two weeks ago but never again since then...

Well I had something on my drivers side - At first I thought it may have been coolant... But then after a drive I parked up and heard a hissing sound and have since realised it's an aircon pipe that's perforated - and the wet patch on the floor looks to be oil.

If you do have coolant however on the floor of the drivers side, it'd indicate that the water is being pressurised and venting out of the expansion tank (or you've got a hose leak somewhere afaik)

Hi again

Put in an 8oz container of K-Seal then ran it for a few mins. The coolant level in the reservoir didn't drop but there was either steam or smoke (couldn't tell which as I have no sense of smell!) coming from the area where the fluid had been leaking from and some coolant had escaped. Going to leave it overnight then start it up and see what happens. However, being (as I've said earlier) new to this, is it possible that the K-seal has blocked the cooling system completely and have I therefore killed the car?

Thanks

Gordon

is it possible that the K-seal has blocked the cooling system completely and have I therefore killed the car?

Unlikely, will just be steam like from a kettle - the coolant gets hot remember.

You get to the switch from underneath, take the under tray off and it's just above the bottom hose.

Hmm is it just me who finds it far easier and less hassle to get to from the top then?