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coolant leak

Posted: 16 Mar 2011, 23:38
by kingkhung
Hello Club 80-90

Not long bought my T25 had couple of small problems now i'm a bit stuck.
Sorry I should introduce myself, i'm a brighton based T25 and car mechanic virgin. I've sorted a coupla things since I bought it but am a bit stuck. Just pulled up at a petrol station and noticed a lot of liquid leaking from underneath. When i set off again my radiator light came straight on so I have come back to my workshop. Its pitch black here now so cant see a lot but managed to find a leaking pipe just above spare wheel. I have undone jubilee clip and re-arranged and re-tightened which has stopped leak but now it keeps over heating about 60 seconds after starting engine again. It is too dark to see properly now but am assuming I will need to stay here for the night then top up coolant in the morning.
Knowing household heating system I also assuming i'm going to have to bleed the system to get it working properly??
I'm a little lost and hoping this is all right as i need to get home ASAP tomorrow morning so am really just looking for some reassurance and advice, I know its a little late but hoping theres someone out there.
Also is there any reason this might have happened or is it just one of those things.

Any help very much appreciated

Thanks in advance

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 16 Mar 2011, 23:40
by Huyton_Blue
Buy a torch?

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 16 Mar 2011, 23:45
by kingkhung
Huyton_Blue wrote:Buy a torch?

Cheers for that.

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 16 Mar 2011, 23:53
by Plasticman
Just call him a pillock.
look at the wiki^^^^^^^ heres the link https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system
its dead easy could do it now if you had a torch!!!!!!!!!! and some water, you do cary spare water? on board tank/tap?
sorry its late.
Mike

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:06
by kingkhung
Thanks for that, doesnt look overly difficult. I have got water supply but no antifreeze to hand, might be able to get some dropped of if its massively important?? If not can top up some ASAP when i've got it running.

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:09
by kevtherev
Fill the top up tank up
take some water with you
stop once the temp needle is half way and check the level
go home and watch the gauge like a hawk

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:11
by kingkhung
Sorry feeling a bit needy now but can anyone tell me where the bleed screw in the engine bay is??

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:15
by Plasticman
dont know wht engine you got? bleed screw is on top of rad, remove your top grill its drivers side (off side)fuss with the antifreeze later
mike

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:19
by kingkhung
metalmick8y wrote:dont know wht engine you got? bleed screw is on top of rad, remove your top grill its drivers side (off side)fuss with the antifreeze later
mike

Gotta 1.7diesel but looking at the instructions the engine bay bleed screw doesnt seem important.
Thanks for the help

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:24
by Plasticman
Good Good,keep us posted with progress etc
mike, nite

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 00:30
by kingkhung
Settled in a make shift bed with my laptop and a beer now, gonna jump on it first thing in the morn. Gonna get grief off the girlfriend tomorrow
Will let you know how it goes
Cheers again

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 11:11
by kingkhung
FANTASTICO

Got in going took no time at all, cheers for the help. Just like I expected really but nice to have some reassurance before you get going sometimes.
Does anyone know if coolant problems can lead to lack in performance? I dont know how long the leak was there before it got bad but now the systems all full and bled the old girl seems to be going like a dream. Might just be in my mind after the delight of getting her going again

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 11:15
by Ian Hulley
Keep an eye on the gauge and lights ... remember a red light means STOP NOW.

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 11:33
by kingkhung
Cheers for the warning, i've stocked up on 2x2litre bottles of water and keeping a decent size tool kit on board which should manage most roadside repairs. Not going anywhere without my T25 bibles ever again.

Re: coolant leak

Posted: 17 Mar 2011, 18:48
by Plasticman
Good result and ta for updating us all
mike