Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, can anyone help me because I'm starting to lose my mind!

I've just had a reconditioned 1.9td put in my van (formerly a 1.6td) because the head had cracked.

Before I had this done the engine would lose water at a fast rate and was a blue smokey old lump. It was down on power and basically crap.

I bought the 1.9td engine and had it put in. It starts on first key, has no smoke coming from it and has a fair bit more power than the last one. Problem is that it's still using water at about the same rate. I can't see any visible signs of leakage and when I came to top it up this morning the tank was still holding pressure from the night before.

I have a suspicion that the heater matrix under the rear seat has a leak on it as when I turn it on I can smell antifreeze but there are no signs of water anywhere. If it is cracked, why is it still holding pressure?

Please help me here.

presume you fitted a 2nd hand engine?

did you drive / see it run before removing from last vehicle?

its possible there is an air lock somewhere?

did you fit new stat / waterpump?

you have to make sure the water pump is turning the correct way !

you can get pumps that turn either way BUT will only work one way. if you have removed items (powers steering / aircon ect) and fitted a smaller belt it may be that you are now turning the pump the wrong way!

Hi Billy. Yeah you presume right it is a second hand engine and no, sadly, i didn't get to hear it running before i received it.

It sounds great and runs great and the temp gauge sits squarely on the led but the garage changed all the stuff over so not sure what they put on or took off.

Going to get into and disconnect the heater at weekend to see what happens. it just seems strange that i have the same problem now as I did with the last engine. Is it possible that when it gets hot the leak is just wide enough to lose water but as it cools it closes again? I'm being optimistic with that i know but I really don't need any more problems with this van!

you mentioned you still have pressure in the system by morning??? This would point to HG or airlock.

Touch wood......I'm gonna check this morning but the rear heater matrix was leaking - had a new unit put in!! Engine's done a few more hundred kms and is still running lovely!