Coolant pouring from cylinder head

Post by **beergut100** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:11

After having all manner of engine related problems, I had a new 1.9 DG engine fitted in me van and extensive work done on the cooling system. All was now rosy, and has been running well for about a month. then I went to two festivals (Glastonbury and Beatherder), where it was extremely muddy and wet. The underside of the van was caked in mud, which I attempted to wash off at Tesco's. I mention this, because I now started to have problems starting the van, which had always started first time. Then, today, I pulled up outside my house, then heard a loud hissing and saw coolant pouring out. It seemed to be coming from the cylinder head and was pouring out between the pushrod tubes (though it could have been from a nearby hose, I suppose). As it cooled down (after 10-15 mins), the leaking stopped.

What I wanted to know is - firstly, should the garage fix this for free?
and secondly, could the damage have been caused by mud, floods, and pressure washing?
and thirdly, I don't know whether to risk driving it to the garage.

I should point out that this is a very reputable VW garage, who deal with a lot of T25s. The coolant they recently put in was G12

Post by **jamesc76** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:15

it wouldnt hurt to phone them up and tell them what happend??? did you get any form of warrenty with the work done ??

Post by **beergut100** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:18

I believe the work is guaranteed. I'm just wondering if it will make a difference if the damage was done by the mud etc., i.e. not by shoddy workmanship.

Post by **jamesc76** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:20

unless you had the most corosive mud dunno how ???? the starting could be something easy as muck on starter wires but as for coolant leak mud cant effect it ! otherwise no one would take a syncro off road ?

Post by **beergut100** » 07 Jul 2007, 15:04

thanks

I'll ring the garage Monday. I'm pretty sure that the guarantee should cover this.

Post by **skell** » 08 Jul 2007, 10:18

Don't drive it without coolant, further damage will occur if you do...

Post by **T'Onion** » 08 Jul 2007, 11:14

could be that pressure hose has washed some of the sealant off ..
take it back they should sort it FOC

also just check the hose's , make sure it just not a split in one

Post by **beergut100** » 08 Jul 2007, 12:34

Thanks for the advice; I had decided not to drive it to the garage. Breakdown recovery should tow us there (again!) free of charge.