Hi everyone

This has probably been covered before but cant find exact information on what I need.

I have a 2005 skoda fabia vrs (asz)

I had a coolant leak coming from coolant reservoir cap, had that replaced and 2 days later the leak is still there, I have noticed a crack in the side of the coolant tank, but that is new? So I cant understand why it would be leaking straight after replacing. I am losing quite a lot of coolant, from max to min after about 50-60miles. Dont really hammer the car, occasionally accelerate hard but that doesnt seem to speed up the leak. Just had waterpump and cambelt replaced and it is still leaking. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks 

I'm afraid that you have classic head gasket failure symptoms, check to see if the cooling system is still pressurized when the engine is cold although the cracked expansion tank probably won't hold the pressure for long enough and needs replacing.

There is no mayo inside oil cap, no white smoke, and stills runs great, so I am sure it cant be that, i have just opened the tank and there is no pressure coming out of the tank.

What's the temperature gauge doing?

The temp gauge is staying in the middle, no change in the temp gauge 

Is it leaking from the crack in the tank? Photo?

If the coolant isn't overheating, the only way it really can overpressurise is if combustion gases are getting forced into the cooling system.

9 hours ago, Rj1998 said:

There is no mayo inside oil cap, no white smoke, and stills runs great, so I am sure it cant be that, i have just opened the tank and there is no pressure coming out of the tank.

 

You won't get any of those symptoms with a turbodiesel, replace the cracked tank first, they're only a tenner from ECP.

Any update on the fault/diagnosis?

3 hours ago, Brother G said:

Any update on the fault/diagnosis?

 

It could be a while, he's in pretty deep denial about the HGF, he has to waste a lot of time and money trying everything else first.

Not as of yet, I've been really busy going back to work, I have the car booked in with a specialist for tomorrow so I will have an update tomorrow on what the fault is.

Done a few more tests my self and 99% sure it's the head gasket or head lift 

On 06/07/2020 at 08:17, Rj1998 said:

Not as of yet, I've been really busy going back to work, I have the car booked in with a specialist for tomorrow so I will have an update tomorrow on what the fault is.

Done a few more tests my self and 99% sure it's the head gasket or head lift 

Cheers,keep me informed please as i'm experiencing similar.No signs of a leak or any other issues,other than level dropping every few weeks.  

On 06/07/2020 at 06:59, sepulchrave said:

 

It could be a while, he's in pretty deep denial about the HGF, he has to waste a lot of time and money trying everything else first.

🤣

Drive it hard and you can expect the level to drop faster if it is head-lift.  Nanny it and the rate of loss will slow.

Do check the area of the radiator thermoswitch though. Leaks there tend to evaporate before they hit the ground, and it seems very common.  

The thermoswitch is located just above the bottom radiator hose connection.  If it is leaking, tighten it a bit and it will stop.  Don't be brutal, it's a brass thread insert in plastic. 30Nm specified torque.

21 hours ago, Wino said:

Do check the area of the radiator thermoswitch though. Leaks there tend to evaporate before they hit the ground, and it seems very common.  

The thermoswitch is located just above the bottom radiator hose connection.  If it is leaking, tighten it a bit and it will stop.  Don't be brutal, it's a brass thread insert in plastic. 30Nm specified torque.

Cheers

Had the car looked at by a specialist, turns out it's the head gasket/ headlift, under heavy pressure it is losing a lot of coolant.

Got in booked in for the repair, but also upgrading to pd150 headbolts and mls gasket so it's ready for more upgrades😄

11 hours ago, Rj1998 said:

Had the car looked at by a specialist, turns out it's the head gasket/ headlift, under heavy pressure it is losing a lot of coolant.

Got in booked in for the repair, but also upgrading to pd150 headbolts and mls gasket so it's ready for more upgrades😄

Thanks for the info.What is the quote for the repair? cheers  

4 hours ago, Brother G said:

Thanks for the info.What is the quote for the repair? cheers  

Its £650 for everything, I think that is quite reasonable, let me know if you think that is high 

1 hour ago, Rj1998 said:

Its £650 for everything, I think that is quite reasonable, let me know if you think that is high 

I have no idea on price for such,except to say.......that is less than i expected.Hope it all goes well!

On 01/07/2020 at 06:57, sepulchrave said:

I'm afraid that you have classic head gasket failure symptoms, check to see if the cooling system is still pressurized when the engine is cold although the cracked expansion tank probably won't hold the pressure for long enough and needs replacing.

If no pressure/hiss when cold,is that a conclusive sign it isn't head gasket? Cheers

25 minutes ago, Brother G said:

If no pressure/hiss when cold,is that a conclusive sign it isn't head gasket? Cheers

 

Pretty much, unless the cooling system is not airtight because of a leak, it's perfectly possible to have an over pressurised system when the engine is running, that then causes a leak in a weak spot by cracking the tank or bursting the radiator or a hose.

1 hour ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Pretty much, unless the cooling system is not airtight because of a leak, it's perfectly possible to have an over pressurised system when the engine is running, that then causes a leak in a weak spot by cracking the tank or bursting the radiator or a hose.

Understood,thank you

On 10/07/2020 at 10:17, sepulchrave said:

 

Pretty much, unless the cooling system is not airtight because of a leak, it's perfectly possible to have an over pressurised system when the engine is running, that then causes a leak in a weak spot by cracking the tank or bursting the radiator or a hose.

Hi,had the car in for inspection and the garage found a leak/loss of steam in the lower right area of the radiator. 

Bet that's the thermoswitch. 

If you mean right as viewed from standing in front of car.

Edited 13 July, 20205 yr by Wino

3 hours ago, Wino said:

Bet that's the thermoswitch. 

If you mean right as viewed from standing in front of car.

 

I think you're right.

And check these too!! Every pipes which are near tandem pump...Those pipes can "look good" but ... Yes i have replace 2 pipes all ready. One which is under tandem pump and other which was come out cylinder head same side than tandem pump.  It was guite hard to found where these leak was because its leak so litel....but least once a week have to but some water less or moore...