Hello all,

 

For some strange reason the Octy has started using about a pint of water each week. Its not going into the oil (phew) and I cant see any obvious leaks.

 

I am considering putting some leak sealant into the system and wondered which one works well considering ant-freeze is in the system.

 

Advice always welcome,

 

Normski

I had a similar problem on mine and it turned out to be the temperature sensor housing, so not really an expensive fix. If there's a leak somewhere then using sealant is not really a long term solution and can cause other problems.

Before you do that, you can buy a UV dye that you put in the coolant made by ring. A friend used it and it showed the leak he was struggling to find. You just use a UV torch and the leak shows up straight away

Thanks for the advice fellas. On reflection I think I will try and fix the problem first. I like the idea of the UV dye and will definitely make inquiries.

 

Cheers, Normski

On 20/11/2018 at 21:49, Normski55 said:

Thanks for the advice fellas. On reflection I think I will try and fix the problem first. I like the idea of the UV dye and will definitely make inquiries.

 

Cheers, Normski

How did you get on Normski?

Thanks for the catch up. Unfortunately I've been so busy just lately I have neglected this problem, I've just been topping up the fluid. I have located the UV dye on Ebay but that's as far as I have got. I need to pull my finger out as the anti freeze will be well diluted by now. I will let you know how I get on 

2 hours ago, Normski55 said:

Thanks for the catch up. Unfortunately I've been so busy just lately I have neglected this problem, I've just been topping up the fluid. I have located the UV dye on Ebay but that's as far as I have got. I need to pull my finger out as the anti freeze will be well diluted by now. I will let you know how I get on 

Great, yes, please do. I'm topping mine up as well, but with coolant.

Had another look for the leak today as more water was required. When I parked the car all was fine. But when I left work the warning light came on. It seems to have lost water while being parked up. I looked under the engine and parts of the front suspension wishbones were wet. I am now wondering if the water pump is leaking as the cam belt cover and plastic housing is directly above and I can't see any hoses (although if the car is not on a ramp you don't get a very good view). I am thinking of putting some K Seal in as a couple of people have recommended it. Any one any experience of this.

Whatever you do be sure to get a good strength of Antifreeze in now before the temp gets to around freezing and below freezing or it might be more than a radiator you need fixed or replaced.

@Normski55 - If you're thinking water pump, it needs sorting quick, before it kills the cam belt (and probably the engine with it).

Yes, thanks guys. I'm going to get a price from my local garage to put a new pump on and change the cam belt. Unfortunately I have to be realistic as the car is probably only worth about £400. Last MOT was about two months ago and there were advisories about suspension bushes. 2002 having covered 142K miles on the 1.6 litre petrol engine. But I like it.

@Normski55 - I don't know labour rates where you are, but I'd think about £400 all in for cam belt kit, water pump, labour and VAT.

I got our cambelt and water pump changed on our 2002 Polo 1.4 16v AUB a couple of months ago,cost £450 and done by an indy VW specialist in Perth - using all genuine parts.

Our Polo must be worth ?????? 

But it is a lovely/cute little car and it is worth far more to us than its book value,the cambelt was within a few months of requiring change anyway (5 years) so I just made sure it was done by somebody trustworthy.

Thanks for the feedback on potential costs. Before I take the car to the garage I was wondering, are there hoses going into and out of the water pump? If so I might put the car on the ramps at the weekend and have a look first.

@Normski55 - Do you have an engine hoist or similar? Changing the cam belt means removing the right-hand engine mounting, so the engine needs supporting first.

 

Also, once the new belt is on, you need to to re-time the injection pump, which needs paid shareware VCDS  or a VAG dealership computer.

Hi Ken, replacing a Cam Belt is way beyond my capabilities so I will leave it to the professionals. Before I do, I will just have a look underneath in case it is something I can fix like a perished hose. That's why I was wondering are there any hoses in that area on the underside that could be leaking? 

On 29/11/2018 at 23:04, Skoda_newby said:

How did you get on Normski?

 

On 04/12/2018 at 09:31, KenONeill said:

@Normski55 - If you're thinking water pump, it needs sorting quick, before it kills the cam belt (and probably the engine with it).

Hi guys, I got the car up on the ramps today and had a look underneath. Water was dripping from the main pulley at the bottom of the engine which I assume is connected to the crankshaft. I couldn't see above that but I assume my worst fears are confirmed and it is coming from the water pump. Ken, I was wondering if K sealant would work and if so how long the pump would last? I will put it into the garage and let them have a look so that they can give me a firm quote. The dilemma i have is, do I spend £400 on a car that's worth £400 or just accept that this could be the end. The MOT is quite long, until September next year.

 

Cheers, Normski 

@Normski55 - With a long MOT and a new cambelt, I'd say that a good condition Octy is worth more like £1_000 these days.

2 hours ago, KenONeill said:

@Normski55 - With a long MOT and a new cambelt, I'd say that a good condition Octy is worth more like £1_000 these days.

 

Thanks Ken, I've got it booked in to the garage tomorrow and they are going to have a look and price it up. So long as it's not stupid I probably will get the job done I'll let you know how it goes, don't know how long it will be before it gets done as the garage may be quite busy. I will ask them to keep it in the meantime as there is no antifreeze in now and I don't have a garage to keep it in.

On 05/12/2018 at 13:56, KenONeill said:

@Normski55 - Do you have an engine hoist or similar? Changing the cam belt means removing the right-hand engine mounting, so the engine needs supporting first.

 

Also, once the new belt is on, you need to to re-time the injection pump, which needs paid shareware VCDS  or a VAG dealership computer.

 

On 29/11/2018 at 23:04, Skoda_newby said:

How did you get on Normski?

Hi fellas, just to let you know the problem is now solved. My local garage charged me £306 for a new water pump, cambelt and top up with anti-freeze. While they were under the bonnet I had the oil and filter changed, £346 for the lot. Very pleased with that. One other possible benefit, I don't know if it's my imagination but the car seems to be running a lot better. Sometimes there was a bit of a lag when pulling away, a bit like the flat spot you got with carburettors. Ken, you mentioned re-timing the injection pump, do you think that might be it? Unless it's just that I had been using my wife's Fiat 500 for a week while it was off the road. 

@Normski55 - Yes, mine always feels brighter just after a new belt.

On 19/12/2018 at 22:18, KenONeill said:

@Normski55 - Yes, mine always feels brighter just after a new belt.

 

Mine was fine, but engine turned a few times before firing. Proper retarded, 22mm of cheap spanner later, starts instantly. 

 

Thanks for the reply Normski.

Whilst we are on the topic, can anyone recommend a good workshop for a cambelt change in Wiltshire or Surrey?