Leaky cooling system? urgent help needed

[T+T]

hey guys we are currently touring Morocco and hav come across a prob. About a month ago we noticed the warning light on the dashboard telling us the collant levels were low in both the normal tank and the expansion tank. we filled both up and all was fine but this kept happening every now and again. Then last night we put the engine on for about 20mins while stationary jus to charge the battery a bit. When we turned off the engine we heard a dripping and looked under the van to find a leak. After inspecting the engine we think we hav found the leak, i can upload a photo of where exactly, but its near the end of one of the pipes coming from the expansion tank leading into the engine. we think this is the leak because the area has a white residue around it. Any help would b useful!! do u reckon we need to replace something or what, lol

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[camper]

Tell us what your engine is please.Petrol or diesel?.

[T+T]

sorry, its a diesel, its a 1.9 turbo diesel engine, replaced from a Passat around 1994

[camper]

I no the engine and have a 1.9 diesel in my T25.The leak circled is were the flange connection is to the hoses off the cylinder head.Some are made of aluminium and others plastic i think.First of all carefully examine tightness and condition of hoses connected if its plastic there is a possibilty of a crack running across where its bolted to the head or the O ring seal falure causing leakage.If its a metal connection and there is coolent leakage between its body and the cylinder head & use gasket glue.Dont rush in until you are sure its not a hose problem around the area you marked.It may be possible to use silicon sealent around any cracks if its plastic as a temp hold.

[T+T]

Thanks for the help, we ended up taking it to a garage today simply because if we did more damage than good in the middle of morocco we were jus gonna give ourselves more trouble!! thanks for the reply