So my mk1 fabia 1.4 16v has been slowly loosing coolant for some time.

 

I have removed sump plug inspected the oil no emulsion, there is nothing around oil filter cap either or in coolant expansion bottle  also so steam or white smoak out of exhaust, so I have ruled out head gasket at this point. 

 

I had the car on the ramps today with the trays off underneath. And I this I may have found where it's coming from. I have attached some pics I have no idea what is leaking possibly a sensor housing in the bottom of the radiator. 

 

The location is at the front left of the car if you were sitting in it at the bottom of the engine bay. 

 

 

That's the coolant drain tap, it's supposed to look like that.

 

Look at the radiator corners for signs while the engine is running.

Hi this was after I had dried ot off it seems to be coming from what looks like a sensor in the radiator just above the drain tap.

That's the cooling fan sensor, try tightening it slightly, they leak if loose.

will give this a go do i just tighten with a spanner ??

 

1 hour ago, Shaunymac1 said:

will give this a go do i just tighten with a spanner ??

 

Whatever you can get on it. Approx. 29mm across flats. 

Nice one will give it a go tomorrow iv read to use that white tape stuff used on threads to seal aswell, will give this a go aswell should have some knocking about! 

34 minutes ago, Shaunymac1 said:

Nice one will give it a go tomorrow iv read to use that white tape stuff used on threads to seal aswell, will give this a go aswell should have some knocking about! 

 

PTFE tape is not a sealant contrary to popular belief, it was designed to allow tapered fittings to be properly tightened, particularly stainless fittings which can otherwise spall and lock up before they're tight.

 

Just pinch the sensor up tighter, the radiator is probably leaking as well.

Edited 8 March, 20206 yr by sepulchrave

does the front end need to come off to see if radiator is leaking ??  and okay will give it a miss with the tape i just read that the sensors did not get fitted with a washer to seal it properly.

It doesn't seal on the screwthread (parallel threads rarely/never do) it's the brass shoulder of the thermoswitch sealing agsinst plastic.

Just tighten it to your best guess at 30Nm and watch the problem go away.

This thing is a b**ch to get at going to have to strip some parts off at the weekend and get it tightened up properly!!

29mm deep socket will just catch it after the electrical connector is unplugged.

Or remove the main fan 'tripod' for easier access for a spanner.