Hi. New to this but desperate for help…

 

I have a 2005 Fabia VRS. 
Coolant leak started off very minimal, topped up once a week.
Then gradually got worse, max to min within 15/20min(not driving hard). Since I have changed then timing belt and water pump. Also had the heater matrix changed with the pipes as well but still a constant leak. 
Looking at the car from the front, the leak is towards the middle Of the engine, passenger side. 
The temp gauge never goes above half. Taken the car to 2 garages who can’t figure out. 
Both mechanics suggest the head gasket needs changing but have also advised they are not sure this will help.  

Any suggestions would be appreciated 

Get a better garage!

 

Not being rude, but if you see a leak and they can’t find it there is something wrong with the garage.

 

Changing parts you have, it would have been cheaper to go to a specialist or main dealer than play swap the parts.

 

If it was a head gasket it’s unlikely you’d see a leak but you would likely get exhaust gasses in the coolant.

 

Have you:

 

- looked for crusty pink deposits around the engine? These will be around the leak.

- checked the coolant for exhaust gases

- checked the various coolant sensors for perished seals/leaks

- checked the EGR cooler

- checked the oil cooler 

- checked the pipes/clips

- checked the thermostat/housing.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 15 August, 20214 yr by cheezemonkhai

/\ - What he said, presuming that there is a leak, and it's not condensate from the AC.

Thanks for the quick replies. 
 

I live in a crappy little town so decent garages are hard to come by. 
 

I’m not mechanically minded but will be attempting to take the car to a garage that has good reviews. 

 

 Appreciate the list of things to look for, I will have a friend look at them and see what he thinks.   
 

Again, appreciate the quick replies from both of you!!!

 

Also remember that once fluid has leaked it can run along an under panel for example if it doesn't have a direct fall to the ground.

 

I would check the radiator for leaks as well. It's not the easiest to see if you don't have the car up in the air though. On the plus side you will have the tell tale pink residue from wherever the leak is coming from.

 

Hope this helps and let us know how you get on.

So got a friend to have a look. 
 

In the engine where the 2 pipes connect to the heater matrix there is a pool of coolant. 
 

Looks like it is a faulty matrix unit but I suspect the “new” matrix the garage installed was a 2nd hand jobby from

ebaY or a scrap yard. 
 

so plan of action is to buy a brand new matrix myself and take the car back to the garage and get them to install it at no additional cost. 
 

Il keep you updated and again, appreciated !!!

More likely a problem with the connections; seem to remember they're troublesome on the TDIs.

10 minutes ago, Wino said:

More likely a problem with the connections; seem to remember they're troublesome on the TDIs.

 

Yeah, the O-rings (7) at the connector (8) can be a pain if everything is not done perfectly....

 

The TDIs also have alloy pipes leading to that connector, or instead of that connector. More trouble than the rubber pipes ISTR, to the point that some convert to rubber.

Here's a thread from a while back that you advised on. 

PLEASE HELP skoda fabia vrs leaking pics inside - Skoda Fabia Mk I - BRISKODA

Cheers gents. Il keep u updated once the new matrix/connectors are sorted

 

thanks!!!!😁😁

New matrix very unlikely to be required, I'd guess.

19 minutes ago, Wino said:

The TDIs also have alloy pipes leading to that connector, or instead of that connector.

 

Yeah, forgot about that...

 

Any idea where I can get those pipes from?

Also when looking, the pipes going into the matrix are rubber hoses?

3 minutes ago, X5UFR said:

Any idea where I can get those pipes from?

 

It would be a Skoda dealer. You can get them online but not cheap when postage added...

 

https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/6q0121064n-water-pipe-skoda-24611.html

 

 

3 minutes ago, X5UFR said:

Also when looking, the pipes going into the matrix are rubber hoses?

 

Rubber hoses should be going to the aluminium pipes unless yours is different. Any chance you could post a pic?

Thanks for the link. Yes Il post a pic in about 30mins.
 

I have bypassed the matrix for the time being so connected the 2 hoses together, so I can still drive for a few days. 

Sorry not the best pictures in the world but they are the 2 coming out from

the dash into the engine bay. Then connected to the 2 rubber hoses

But the pool was just under those 2 tubes 

Interesting, you have the one without the aluminium pipes. You don't have to worry about those then. Someone might have converted it. You have the type I posted earlier...

 

Edited 15 August, 20214 yr by TMB

Ahh perfect. The left clip came off with ease but the right hose got the best of me so ended up cutting it. 
 

Again, I appreciate the help!!!

I didn’t think I was going to get any responses but il keep you updated

 

thank you all!!!

Just now, X5UFR said:

Ahh perfect. The left clip came off with ease but the right hose got the best of me so ended up cutting it. 
 

Again, I appreciate the help!!!

I didn’t think I was going to get any responses but il keep you updated

 

thank you all!!!

 

No problem

Just for info, the pipe connector is 6Q0 121 065 H

 

O-rings are still N 90890501

amazing thank you!!!