help! coolant loss from near or from the expansion tank

Post by **Loiue Blouie** » 19 May 2008, 20:36

Hi,
just bought the T25 1.9 cc petrol van yesterday. There was an overheating light that went out when water added and fan did not come on when expected ( ie when hot) nevetheless knocked price down and took a risk buying! 80 mile journey home with cabin heating on to cool down and overheating light didn't come on.

However after short journey there is a large patch of coolant on the road and it looks like its coming from the expansion tank or somewhere near. Help! Do I need to start panicking? The engine otherwise looks OK. The head was skimmed 4 years back. Seems genuine milage at around 70, 000 miles just over 100000 km (its a german import.

Anyone out there can tell me how bad it might be? I'll be getting it to a mechanic asap but not for a few days.
Thanx
Louie javascript:emoticon(':roll:')
Rolling Eyes

Post by **toomanytoys** » 19 May 2008, 20:41

Coolant leaks are not good and having to top up when looking at the vehicle ist too clever either.... then you still bought it... hopefully for a very sensible price...

Fan will not cut in unles the rad gets hot.. usually means tha the engine will have to be 3/4 on the gauge...

Leak could be from a crappy non gen vw pressure cap, or the tank has a split or its one of them nasty replacement tanks that actually done work very well coz the threads are misshaped...

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 19 May 2008, 20:50

There isn't a 'overheating light' there's a level sensor in the main header tank (there's also the top-up tank behind the no. plate) when the level drops in the main tank the red coolant low light flashes on the temp. guage part of the dash.

Ian.

Post by **Loiue Blouie** » 19 May 2008, 21:05

Thanx.
The engine is a 1888 cc petrol. Got the price down a couple of hundred from 3000. It's first use in germany was in 89.
It had water leak in 2003 with both head seals leaking - this resulted in heads being reskimmed and piston pots being replaced because loose and perished. wrong spark plugs were also replaced at that time. Tested then and was ok.
I'm beginning to sweat!

Post by **toomanytoys** » 19 May 2008, 21:37

1888cc?? Er no... not if its a flat 4 engine.. 1915cc...

need to go around the engine to make sure things are tight/ not split etc..

But I am afraid using water and leaks are not good signs... unless its just down to the tank

The heads on the wbx cannot be "skimmed" as they are not like a normal engine.. new seals and gaskets can be installed..

replace the leaking header tank and fit a VW pressure cap.. bleed the system a couple of times too Haynes procedure is good, but dont worry about raising the front end "at least 400mm", not required if bled a couple of times and used.

Post by **Loiue Blouie** » 19 May 2008, 21:57

Strange! I know very liitle about mechanics really - just working it out from Haynes. It says 1888cc on the registration document and the receipt for skimming the heads looks genuine....... so maybe its not a volkswagon engine? Now I'm getting really confused! What's the worst case scenario? I bought this to move to and use in Spain while working there with my family for a couple of years and I need the lowdown. We need to book the ferry for mid August. Will the local mechanic be able to cope with all this or do I need to find a specialist?
Thanx
Colin

Post by **toomanytoys** » 19 May 2008, 22:10

A pic of the engine bay would help...

Depends on how good your local mech is... these things need "special attention"... and a lot of your average jo mechs dont have a clue...