Hi All, 

 

Help!! 

 

I have had my vRS for about 8 months and problem started about 3 months ago. I was getting pressure build up in the coolant system to the point where it would push the coolant level from above the maximum to below the minimum, throwing the coolant warning light on. I done some digging and changed the Coolant bottle as recommended by many on here... No Change. 

 

I have since had the water pump fail on me, luckily on my drive, so I have had the water pump changed for a metal impellar one and a new Timing belt and tensioner kit fitted... Still no change. 

 

I have had several sniff and pressure tests done with no proof of anything major, but I have noticed a very small area of bright pink 'fluff' on the head gasket (Front Right side of the engine) building over the last couple weeks. I'm pretty sure I need the head gasket doing. 

 

Has anyone got anything else I can try before I shell out the £400 for a HG or a list of the parts I would need to buy for it to be done. (Headbolts, Gaskets etc) 

 

Any help massively appreciated. 

 

Cheers! 

It's probably head gasket.

You could try a thermostat but it's just clutching at straws usually.

If your even more desperate get something like steel seal, pour it in the water and away you go.

I've used it a few times for a quick fix and it does seem to work.

....however, I wouldn't use it on my own car

I have used steel seal before on a K-series Rover Coupe and it worked a treat but Im not so sure on my toy. Rather spend the money to get it done. Family of mechanics so Its just parts plus a drink and a weekend in the garage. 

 

Any idea if I need to buy bolts or anything? 

 

Cheers mate

Yeah headbolts are not reuseable, get a set of PD150 bolts as they are higher tensile.

if the gaskets been leaking badly you really need to get the head checked over to make sure its flat.

head gaskets come in three different thicknesses, on the front edge of engine in the middle you will see a flat area of gasket protruding out, on it will be some round holes punched out, will be one,two or three round holes (not oval) you need to order the gasket with the same amount of holes on it.

its a very small and slow leak, I will go through maybe 200ml water a month, 8 weeks if only round town. Ill get the head bolts from pd150. and its a 2 hole gasket. The head will be checked by my brother in law to flatness to see if it needs skimming. 

 

Cheers for the help. Ill order the parts tonight. 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/index.php?/topic/345757-Fabia-vrs-slow-coolant-leak

Fixed my leak a treat!

If it's just parts, go for it.

It ain't a bad job to do over all.

6 Allen keys - inlet off

12 bolts and the odd clip - turbo off

Timing belt back off

Then it's just the usual engine bits.

Keep in mind most of the engine bolts need to be renewed as well, injector, camshaft snd injector rocker bolts for example.

Turned out to be the Vacuum pump Gasket and O-Ring leaking pretty bad... got all the parts £150 later and it turned out to be a £4 seal from VW... lucky me but a bit of a shock to see that much fluid coming from a silly O-Ring. 

 

Cheers for the help guys.. 

Sorry to butt in guys but thought id ask advice here rather than start new thread.

Week or so go i started thread about coolant dropping low and thinking all was fixed as had timing belt waterpump replaced.

Garage told me there was def signs that pump was leaking.so thought great all fixed. Last thursday my coolant light bleeped again. And water had dropped. So just topped up to just over min

At weekend went for 2hrs trip,got to destination west mid safari park. everthing was fine. Until driving home. Got to services 15min from home bleep on dash again.

Anyways got home and let engine cool down. Looked under bonnet cant see any signs of water round head. Any leaks round rad.

But have noticed pink patches under chassis drivers side.

Would it just be hole in pipe that side that has been dripping down chassis?.

What should i do next?.

Car is pd100 1.9tdi