Hi,

Newbie to the forum but thought I’ll dive straight in there with the issue I have had for months now.

COOLANT.

 

I have a MK1 PD130 Fabia - FMIC, Straight through turbo back exhaust and EGR delete. Standard turbo and no remap.

 

Since I bought the car I lose coolant, ridiculously... Sometimes I can go 200/300miles, other times I can go 30miles then the coolant light will pop up.

 

The engine has never ‘overheated’. There has been occasions where I have ran with the coolant light flashing at me (terrible I know, but I had no choice) still during this - no overheating.

 

I have replaced the pipes from the coolant tank, no luck. Replaced the coolant tank, still no luck. 

Recently did PD150 headbolts, timing belt and water pump. Seemed to slow the coolant loss down, however it’s starting to disappear again.

 

I’ve not come across any leaks anywhere. My next option is the head gasket, even though there are no other signs of the head being damaged (sniff tested, no oil issues etc.) I’m getting it done anyway.

 

Head gasket going to sort this? Or are there any other areas I should be looking.

 

Thanks in advance!

Check for residual pressure in expansion tank first thing in the morning before starting engine.

Cheers for the quick response Wino!

 

(could you dumb that down for someone who is an absolute fool with cars)

Take the cap off the coolant expansion tank in the morning and see/hear if it hisses with escaping pressure. Usually indicates combustion gas having got into the cooling system.

Thought so mate, cheers.

 

Either way the HG is booked in for doing on Tuesday regardless. Just wondering if there’s anything else I should look at changing?

This does point to HG. Any signs of coolant at the bottom of the expansion bottle. Pink/white residue if you are running correct G12/13. Also radiator bottom left gets rusty on these and you notice a gradual loss and pink/white marks. I  had a 1997 Golf HG go and @Wino pressure of bottle was evident, and a 04 vRS Fabia rad leak. Hope it helps. 

Woke up this morning, checked the car, no leaks still.

 

Opened expansion tank, zero pressure...

12 hours ago, Adam_fabia said:

Recently did PD150 headbolts, timing belt and water pump. Seemed to slow the coolant loss down, however it’s starting to disappear again.

 

Now, why on earth didn't you just replace the head gasket as well since you could have had the head off with just a few minutes extra work?

Check this pipe.

 

I have been searching for a leak on mine for months! It had a worse drink problem than my mother in law.

 

Threw the towel in got a local garage to pressure test the system for leaks

 

Found that the pipe highlighted had been rubbing on pipe connectors directly beneath it. Made to small puncture marks like a snake bite

 

Just under £10 from tps and all is good

 

 

49 minutes ago, Gonzo900r said:

It had a worse drink problem than my mother in law.