Club 80-90 Forums

Hi there folks,

My 88 1.9 DG engined transporter (73,000 miles) seems to be using one hell of a lot of water.

I have had a nosey around and discovered the header/expansion tank behind the number plate recess is cracked all over the top. I guess this will be compounding the issue as the pressure will be less and there for the boiling temp lower (I have sourced a new one). I have had a good look round the engine bay and under the van while it's running and I can see nothing else that could be causing this loss.

The engine looks fine with no clear signs, it runs fine, not lumpy like I would expect if the HG had gone on one side. Also it doesn't steam out anywhere or run hot in the slightest. The needle never passes the half way mark on the gauge.

So after all that waffle my question is simple. Anywhere else to look, any other signs to check?

I'm a competent mechanic having rebuilt many minis and worked on my MKII Golf Gti. I'm just a bit green on this whole Water cooled boxer engine malarky.

Many thanks,

Nick

There are a thousand places it could lose water, stick to the top tank for now and get that sorted. If you are looking for leaks then also look when you have just started up a cold engine, sometimes when its running and hot the water drips will evaporate before they drip onto the floor.... if you get my drift?

Yup gotcha. I'll swap the tank over this week and see how we go!

I'm just hoping it's not a HG as I only bought the van on wednesday and maxxed out my cash on it. No money kicking about for a new engine if it suffers the infamous snapped bolt syndrome!

Nick

Go for the simple things first, if that fails then look further, don't worry about what might not be there!

Good advice but I have bought somelemons over the years and my fear of the worst always gets the better of me!

Nick

park it over some cardboard (got this tip from Mocki) to see if any small drips, could be anywere under engine bay, long pipes from front to back or radiator

Mine was leaking from the coolant level sensor in the tank and was dripping down onto the silencer and dissapearing so you could smell it but not find the source, as it only did it under high revs and load.

My exp tank was leaking at the back so it took me ages to find out what was going on very smal split which I repaired.
D