Checked my oil and water levels today and noticed a small loss in water. Checked around the engine and expansion tank etc and no signs of leaks.

Dropped the under tray and noticed signs of a slight water leak down by the bottom hose on the rad.

I didn't have time to jack it up but any idea if it's more likely to be the rad itself or the radiator temp sensor as I've read the sensors didn't have a seal/ o ring?

Does anyone have a part number for the o ring for the sensor as it could save me a few quid compared to taking half the front end off to replace the rad itself

Could be either. If you're paying for the job, almost easier to change the rad than faff about if you can't identify it exactly yourself or with capable friend or minion.

Yeah going to get it jacked up tomorrow and take a proper look. Can the sensor/ seal if that is my problem not be replaced without removing the rad?

Yeah going to get it jacked up tomorrow and take a proper look. Can the sensor/ seal if that is my problem not be replaced without removing the rad?

 

Tell us what you think once you've jacked it up and had a good look, personally I think it's your rad leaking, they always seem to go in that bottom left hand corner.

Just had a look and the bottom hose connects to a plastic casing which joins the bottom of the rad ( bottom right hand corner as you look at the front of car) and this is we're it looks to be leaking eg the joint between the metal side of the rad and the plastic casing that joins to it.

Can the casing be bought with a new seal or does it come as part of the rad itself.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Engine-Cooling-Radiator-fits-Skoda-6Q0-121-253-AE-/221377924000?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Cars+Year%3A2005|Car+Make%3ASkoda|Cars+Type%3A1.9+TDI+RS|Plat_Gen%3A6Y2|Model%3AFabia&hash=item338b270ba0

 

There's a piccie of a rad. The plastic casing you mention probably the rad end tank. In which case you need a new rad.

Picked a rad up today from eurocarparts £37.20 all in although part number is 6qo 121 253r. Got them to check by my vin number and they say it's the correct figment. Can anyone confirm this?

Also don't fancy doing the job myself, how many hours labour will I be looking at/ cost?

I got one from a parts place that was not a skoda part, it looked identical and seems fine, and to be honest I don't think the genuine rad is worth the extra as it the original doesn't last very long. I did use some of that white plumbing tape on the sensor to make sure of a seal.

Yeah at the end of the day the oe rad ain't up to much and these are made in Germany anyway so should be half decent. 7 years for a oe rad is pretty poor tbh and doubt I'll have the motor more than 2 years anyway.

Think I'll get some ptf tape also for the sensor as I don't want more problems