Hi all, I'm new to the site and have picked up a black 55 plate VRS with around 57000 miles on the clock. I have noticed the coolant level going just below the minimum with a tiny puddle left on my driveway overnight. I investigated the hoses and couldn't see any leaks from above, however underneath the car where the tray/guard begins(just where the bumper ends), there is coolant leaking out and I can see where it has dried. It is on the offside, can anyone tell me what this is likely to be? Is it just 4 torx screws to get the tray off so I can take a look?

Also, it could do with a service as it has not been done since March last year about 18000 miles ago. The cambelt and waterpump have been done very recently though by a BMW specialist without the usual oil change etc. I have been advised by my local skoda dealer that it should have the 60k service now as it has skipped the 50k one. They have quoted £250 for it- does this sound about right? Are there quite a lot of things that need doing for the 60k service? I take it coolant would be completely flushed and changed? I was thinking of getting it all done properly by skoda this year then to somewhere like mrclutch/local garage for future services...

I am a bit concerned with the coolant as I am not sure if it has G12 in there or not, it is pink in colour and I topped it up with boiled water back to the the minimum (about 10mm) but don't want to add anymore because of the concentration. It is back below the minimum again now, I have access to another car so will drive that until the leak is sorted. I want the Fabia back asap though :(

Thanks in advance.

Hi

Can't really help with the service, I have only had a minor service done on mine in my ownership and it cost me £120 from Rainworth Skoda. I think some dealers have offers on and I know a couple of good specialists in Notts area....

With regards to the coolant leak, I had coolant light flash up on my dash randomly one day, noticed level was very low. Topped it up, went down again. It was leaking from same place as yours, right at the very front of the car. It was pooling in the lip where the front bumper wraps round at the bottom (sorry had to describe but if you are under the car take the plastic sump protector off and the bumper has a ledge). Turned out to be the radiator had corroded and a small hole had developed. Thought about some bodge seal job but in the end took it to VAG specialist and had it replaced. Cost £260 odd all in. So I can't help in any sort of guide in replacing it but might save you some time and grazed knees in trying to identify problem...

Apparently they sometimes just go after a certain age but there is a difference in our cars, mine is 53 plate 103k...... :S

Hi

Can't really help with the service, I have only had a minor service done on mine in my ownership and it cost me £120 from Rainworth Skoda. I think some dealers have offers on and I know a couple of good specialists in Notts area....

With regards to the coolant leak, I had coolant light flash up on my dash randomly one day, noticed level was very low. Topped it up, went down again. It was leaking from same place as yours, right at the very front of the car. It was pooling in the lip where the front bumper wraps round at the bottom (sorry had to describe but if you are under the car take the plastic sump protector off and the bumper has a ledge). Turned out to be the radiator had corroded and a small hole had developed. Thought about some bodge seal job but in the end took it to VAG specialist and had it replaced. Cost £260 odd all in. So I can't help in any sort of guide in replacing it but might save you some time and grazed knees in trying to identify problem...

Apparently they sometimes just go after a certain age but there is a difference in our cars, mine is 53 plate 103k...... :S

Thanks for that, hopefully it's not the rad as I have only driven it 4 days! Might be a hose?

Does anyone know if GM antifreeze is suitable? It is pink in colour and I bought it from Vauxhall... It's this stuff:

http://www.autovaux.co.uk/LoadPortal.aspx?pnum=AS93165162&tabid=5

It won't be VAG approved, but it'll be the same stuff so of course it's fine to use.

The fluorescent pink dye is added so that the concentration can be accurately measured using a refractometer.

Just drain and clean flush before you fill to ensure the system is clean.

It won't be VAG approved, but it'll be the same stuff so of course it's fine to use.

The fluorescent pink dye is added so that the concentration can be accurately measured using a refractometer.

Just drain and clean flush before you fill to ensure the system is clean.

So is the general rule - if it's the same colour then it's fine? I'm a bit worried that it will get clogged up if different ones are mixed because I am not 100% sure if it is even G12 in there... I know that the GM stuff is definitely long life and surely a 60k service will mean it is drained and new put in anyway? Or is it a better idea to top up with boiled water until the service next week?

Thanks.

It'll be a radiator leak; best fix: new rad...

I had the same in wha sounds like the same spot. Disconnect rad hoses and drain it, plug the coolant hoses with corks/small deoderant bottle lids to save wasting all coolant. Get some rad-weld or similar and pour directly into radiator, leave overnight and then flush out rad and then connect. This way your not contaminating your whole coolany system with radweld/celit and its cheaper than a new rad.

If that fails its a trip to the scrappy or the bank...

Of course there's no way of knowing for sure what's in there already (unless you get CSI to do a lab analysis) which is why I said you should drain and clean flush. What's the problem with that?