Club 80-90 Forums

I have an important journey of 130 miles to make this afternoon so I gave the van (1.9 DG A-reg) a quick check-over. I started it up and noticed water seems to be dripping from the inner gaitor / bellows on the left/nearside drive shaft - well forward of the engine. I suppose I have a hose problem? I recently had the red led flashing after a spell of heavy traffic but the coolant level was OK. I regularly top it up a little and thought the problem would be solved by replacing the reservoir cap a week ago (the one inside the numberplate flap) because previously there was just a loose-fitting bung in there. Have I created pressure which has leaked out somewhere? Am I safe to make my very important journey if I just keep an eye on the level? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Miles

Do you mean the coolant level in the reservior behind the flap or the pressureised header tank under the engine cover?

it would be foolish to make the journey if your losing water , try to find out where its leaking from and rectify it

Thanks for your replies.
Cruz - I mean the level in the top-up tank behind the flap. Maybe I should pay more attention to the expansion tank.
Faggie - I know I should fix it first but I really don't have time. The drip is quite slow. You're not going to tell me it will be fine - are you?
Miles

Miles check the level of the expansion tank NOW. It's the only one worth a damn when you get a leak or a flashing light. The topup tank behind the flap means precious little if the level in the expansion tank is low.

And as Faggie says get it fixed or give it a good looking at before using it. Otherwise you could be looking at a more pain than spending 2 minutes tightening a loose jubilee clip.

Problem with checking the water level during a journey is you can't as the system is pressurised and hot so you can't take the expansion bottle cap off

there are hoses above the gearbox on the late vans held in place by a metal clip on the gearbox, I suppose the early vans are similar, prime suspect I'd say.