Hi I'm new here I've read a lot of the threads but I have a query. I have a 02 fabia 1.4 petrol done 92K I do a lot of short journeys of about 15-30 mins. I had a new radiator fitted about 2yrs ago but I developed a leak on the drivers side at the front but can't see where it is coming from which is what happened with the previous radiator could it be something else causing the radiator to spring a leak or am I just unlucky. The fan comes on and the temperature gauge sits half way. My temp warning has always come on as soon as I start the car I was told that's the sensor in the header tank. I don't want to replace the radiator and have another one go the same way so any advice on if something else could be going on to cause this would be greatful cheers.

@Lynn67

 

Can't help with the radiator core, but yes the "overheat warning" is almost certainly the sensor in the header tank. Given a competent DIY mechanic or good independent garage it'll cost about £30 tops to replace the header tank.

Hi thanks for that information.

2 hours ago, Lynn67 said:

Hi I'm new here I've read a lot of the threads but I have a query. I have a 02 fabia 1.4 petrol done 92K I do a lot of short journeys of about 15-30 mins. I had a new radiator fitted about 2yrs ago but I developed a leak on the drivers side at the front but can't see where it is coming from which is what happened with the previous radiator could it be something else causing the radiator to spring a leak or am I just unlucky. The fan comes on and the temperature gauge sits half way. My temp warning has always come on as soon as I start the car I was told that's the sensor in the header tank. I don't want to replace the radiator and have another one go the same way so any advice on if something else could be going on to cause this would be greatful cheers.

Justa bit more information. The car has AC is there a radiator behind the front radiator for that as took the under tray off and can't feel any wet area on the front rad but can feel what seems to be another rad behind so it seems like the leak must be coming from that one.

Front rad is aircon refrigerant condenser, one nearest engine is coolant.

20 minutes ago, Wino said:

Front rad is aircon refrigerant condenser, one nearest engine is coolant.

Hi thanks for that information Wino I wasn't aware of that. I know what I'm feeling now then.

 

With undertray removed, have a close look at the radiator thermoswitch (circled in this pic). Common source of leakage.  I know you said driver's side, and this isn't, but well worth a look anyway.

 

 

Ok I will check later today and update.I know the dripping only starts when I top up the coolant and it gets  midway between the min and max levels on the header tank

 

42 minutes ago, Wino said:

With undertray removed, have a close look at the radiator thermoswitch (circled in this pic). Common source of leakage.  I know you said driver's side, and this isn't, but well worth a look anyway.

 

 

Took top off header tank and the dripping started on drivers side I checked the area in the photo and it's totally dry on all that area and along the bottom  until where the dripping is. 

Is it the 1.4 MPI engine or 1.4 16v?

 

52 minutes ago, Wino said:

Is it the 1.4 MPI engine or 1.4 16v?

 

It's the 1.4 16v engine 

 

Are you sure it's not A/C condensation dripping? Or does the level in the expansion tank drop?

 

This kind of thing...

 

 

Edited 22 May, 20188 yr by TMB

Hi no it's right at the front on drivers side and I have to keep topping the coolant up.

Ah Ok.

15 minutes ago, TMB said:

Ah Ok.

 

For me the clue was in the comment "only starts dripping when the coolant is topped up" - which for me translated into taking the pressure cap off and so that is allowing air in so water can escape from the leak site easier than if the pressure cap is left on and the engine has cooled down and the system stops leaking as it is now slightly under vacuum wrt the outside world.

 

Edit:- obviously it is leaking while under pressure but that is only showing up as a drop in level in the header tank.

Edited 22 May, 20188 yr by rum4mo

It leaks the most when the engine is warm and tends to stop once it has cooled down but it will also start again when I get about half waybetween the min and max levels on the header tank. I have to admit I don't ever use the air conditioning but it does work.

Edited 22 May, 20188 yr by Lynn67

5 hours ago, rum4mo said:

 

For me the clue was in the comment "only starts dripping when the coolant is topped up" ...

 

Yeah I missed that bit.

Ok so I'm guessingI've just been unlucky with the radiator leaking in about 2yrs of being put on the car then. Any recommendations on what make of rad to get .

6 hours ago, Lynn67 said:

Ok so I'm guessingI've just been unlucky with the radiator leaking in about 2yrs of being put on the car then. Any recommendations on what make of rad to get .

 

Nope, doesn't matter, they all rot out in 10 years so just get a cheap one.

20 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Nope, doesn't matter, they all rot out in 10 years so just get a cheap one.

Ok Thanks for that.

Hopefully someone can give me some info on is there anything else I should order that I'm likely to need apart from the radiator when replacing the radiator with a new one. Is there any information anywhere on which I can read through on the job. I know the front of the car has to come off and the fans cover has to be removed. And if it's to complicated changing the actual rad I have a friend who's a mechanic I can call on for some help.

5 minutes ago, Lynn67 said:

Hopefully someone can give me some info on is there anything else I should order that I'm likely to need apart from the radiator when replacing the radiator with a new one. Is there any information anywhere on which I can read through on the job. I know the front of the car has to come off and the fans cover has to be removed. And if it's to complicated changing the actual rad I have a friend who's a mechanic I can call on for some help.

 

It's a good opportunity to replace your coolant and the thermostat and ECT sensor if these have not been done, not essential though as dropping the coolant is easy and quick.

 

Edit: Replace that faulty header tank while you're at it, they're cheap as chips.

Edited 23 May, 20188 yr by sepulchrave

15 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

It's a good opportunity to replace your coolant and the thermostat and ECT sensor if these have not been done, not essential though as dropping the coolant is easy and quick.

 

Edit: Replace that faulty header tank while you're at it, they're cheap as chips.

Thanks Sepulchrave yes I thought of the header tank after I posted as the coolant system will be empty  I've had the car 4 1/2 years and the thermostat and ECT sensor hasn't been changed but I will check the service history to see if they have been done before I had the car 

Buying a Haynes Repair Manual for that car would help you quite a bit if you are unsure on what to do?

2 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

Buying a Haynes Repair Manual for that car would help you quite a bit if you are unsure on what to do?

Yes I most definitely must get one.