Help anyone.

GF bought a 2000 Fabia 1.4 classic (Skoda 8v engine not VW 16v engine), with 23k on the clock, and no noises or issues.

Couple of months after she got it she decided to finally check the oil coolant (I told her to do it more often but what can you do).

The coolant was below the min mark (coolant warning light and bzzer activated), and as it was summer, I told her to top it up with plain water (no G12 at home) rather than use non VW anti freeze as the car was still under (non Skoda) used car warrenty till she could get back to the dealer.

The car wasn't bought from a franchised dealer, but from an exfranchise (old SkodaGB days) independant.

She took it back and said the temp sender was leaking and they would reseal it.

Couple of months after that, she noticed it was low again, went back, and they said the sealant was weeping a bit, they would fit a new sealing washer, and use sealant again.

About 3 weeks ago, it was low again, and they looked and claimed it wasn't leaking, but just top up with water for now, and see if that shows where it is coming from.

She drove 8-10 miles to were she was due to get her hair cut, and when she got there, just as she was slowing, the coolant warning light and buzzer came on again.

She pulled in at the hair dressers, popped the bonnet and the header tank was completley empty this time, not the gradual weeping leak she had had.

While get her hair cut (about an hour) she left the car to cool, then tried adding two litres of water.

She heard it gluggin and poring, and could see it steaming out of the passenger side of the engine bay onto the floor.

She called the AA, the engineer had a look, and while she was adding water, he found it pouring out of a drain tap that had been left partially open and vibrated open. He tightened it, filled it with water, and checked that it was getting to temp and pressure. All was well.

She went back to the garage, who had a look, said OK, it seems to be not leaking now, can't find any problems, run it for a week with the water in to make sure the level stays solid, and we'll replace it will G12 next weekend.

Yesterday, she went in to get it drained and filled with G12.

Today, she has looked at it to check it out. It is back below the min line again, almost down the bottom hose from the header.

I really don't know what to think now. I always trusted those monkeys with my old Estelle and Favorit. But when they refused to do a brake and clutch fluid change on my Saab (now a MrClutch brake and clutch franchise too) as it was too difficult, plus what is happening to the Fabia. I really don't know what to think.

1) Any suggestions as to the problem?

2) How would we stand on this with a 3 year old car that has done less than normal miles, but hasn't lived upto reliabilty expectations since she bought it 5 months ago.

3) If we took it to a main dealer to be examined/repaired would they be willing to invoice the independant for the work/time?

BTW, I haven't named the indy garage, but will do if requested.

Cheers all.

Have you checked the dipstick to see what the oil level and colour is like? Also remove the oil filler cap and see if the top of the cylinder head is clean or if there is white sludge in there. I say that because a neighbour had recent experience of cylinder head gasket failure twice in quick succession. In the first instance there was oil in the coolant (not so in your case if the coolant is disappearing), and in the second there was coolant in the oil. Two more questions. Does the car start and run OK, or is there pronounced white smoke from the exhaust when cold? And is there any sign of very small bubbles in the header tank when the engine is running?

a couple of possible leak locations 1. the rad fan switch 2. the rad coupling/drain plug 3. the rad it's self 4. the head gasket it it quite possible that the loss the last time round after they had worked on it is normal if you drain +refill system when topped up to correct level and then driven the level will go down to nothing when the thermostat opens and lets water into rad/engine hope this helps big k

DGW: Yep, having owned a Favorit and Estelle, I'm used to all the usual checks for headgasket failure.

1) Oil level is within the min/max and just below the optimum mark, hasn't moved since the car was bought and given first service at time of purchase.

2)No mayo in the oil filler.

3)Coolant tank is clean. Was some slightly creamy froth on the lower inside tank after the level had seriously dropped last time, but having run for a week on water only there was no signs of it, and nothing now once it has been refilled with coolant.

4) Car starts and runs OK. Hasn't overheated at all, but the coolant light/alarm beeper has activated twice when it has dropped below min.

5)No pronounced white smoke at all, compared to what my old ones used to make when cold in cold weather (condensation). Very clean starting car. Haven't noticed bubbles, but will look out for it.

Big K: Have had a thorough check arround the engine bay, and felt arround. there is a little bit of coolant under the header tank, but just drips, nothing like the stream needed to lose the amount it did. I reckon that is just drippage when filling. Down on the plastic undershield behind the front bumper there was a very small pool of fluid in one of the dimples, and almost tide marks, along the first half of it where it slopes down toward the rear of the car.

In the rest of passenger-front side of the bay I can't find any traces of leakage, apart from some oily moist dirst in the very corner where it is hidden by all the plastic boxing above it.

They have been asked if they have tested for a headgasket, as I thought the remaining coolant smelt "burn't". They said a compression test was difficult because it hardwork removing the top cover off the engine.

They didn't mention whether they had tested the coolant for combustion gasses, or tested the exhaust for coolant, but somehow I doubt it.

GF has looked up the sale of goods act, and for a minor repair, if the problem isn't fixed, you can ask for your money back. She is very tempted to do that and I'm backing her. She loves that car, and I love Skodas in general, and have been very loyal to that garage for a couple of years (probably put about a grand of repair work there way for brake and clutch work and the like), but just lately, even though none of the staff have changed, attitudes have. They ahve really gone to pot. I think she wants another Fabia, and I suggested a TDi after my brother took me for a spin in his Octi TDi 180k ex taxi that was serviced everyweek (that many miles weekly), but prices of them are holding nicely at the minute. And much as I would like to buy her one, a Fab vRS is out of the question financially ATM.

See

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index.htm

and select Skoda and Fabia from the list. Looks as if coolant loss is a known problem with Fabias.

Yeah, we found that last night after I posted. it has been printed. They reckoned an airlock this time, but if it aint fixed this time, she wants her money back. Thanks for the help peeps.

OK, update to those who helped. She still has the car. Two weeks on, all OK, no more leaks. Must have been an airlock this time. She's happy and the car is behaving. now I can get back to blowing more oney on the Saab, while trying to find a nice solid, but giveaway Rapid 136, if such things still exist.