Problem: Slow water leak from somewhere, difficult to spot due to it being so slow and in a hard to reach area plus if engine is hot water evaporated, so its like a phantom problem. 

 

MY CAR ( Skoda Octavia 2 TDI 1.9)

 

I would need to top up every 100 or so miles. this gradually got worse to around 50 miles, so I investigated myself and found the leak. Its a plastic pipe on the engine block, which deteriorates.  Between the battery and Engine block, and below the tandem pump (I think thats what its called), you have to take the air filter housing out to get to it.

 

See diagrams,details, costs around £30 ish (dealer part).  The pipe come complete with its rubber washe (5A) , however I would recommend getting the rubber washer (NO.7) on blow up diagram , I didn't but may just get away with old one, otherwise will have to order it and get it fitted, more cost.   So best to get it at same time then you know its done, as it is a seperate part.

 

Simple enough to fit, but less hassle to get it done from garage, my local mechanic is pretty good , cost around £25 to fit, takes about 30 mins. 

Some mechanics will know what the problem is but wont tell you, obviously to charge you more money for investigatigating etc. 

 

What I realised that if you can find a good local mechanic who is regularly working on taxis, assuming that the car you have is popular with taxi drivers, in this case Octavia is; then they will be the best mechanics to go to, as they will have more experience and knowlegde on weird phantom problems.

 

See below.

Edited 6 March, 201412 yr by jjav1

Yep I had one of the mounting bolt threads go in the block had to have it helicoiled. had the same issue as you.