Coolant Loss

[wackojackouk]

Good morning everyone

 

Wonder if anyone can offer some quick advice. Been having some issues with the Wipers not going full way so had a play with them yesterday evening around 6ish, removed, oiled, pushed down etc (and seem to get another inch back) and then thought to check the expansion tank and oil.

 

Unscrewed the cap, little bit of pressure (I had been out in it earlier - say 2 hours before - and funny thing I thought the car had a bit of a warm smell when I got back and parked in the garage - I could still smell it a bit later) and there was pretty much NO coolant in it (I could see the hole and some coolant just in there).

 

Anyway I topped it up about an hour or so later to just below the max and planned to check it this morning. However my son then decided to swallow a 1p coin so off to A&E for an X-Ray around 9pm (he's fine) and back which is about 10-15 miles round trip.

 

I checked the coolant this morning and I'm sure it's lost some from yesterday as I put a quick mark on the level. Took my daughter to school and came home (about 2 miles) and checked again, plus looked under the car to see if I could see any leaks (only water off the air con pipe) and noticed the coolant level may have gone up slightly (hardly any). I have put another mark just in case.

 

Will try and leave it for awhile and check again tonight/first thing tomorrow but am worried I might have a problem.

 

Can anyone provide a few tips of things to check. I had a quick read on things such as Heater Matrix etc.

 

Cheers

 

WJUK

[chrispb123456]

Hi Ya

 

Is there any signs of coolant around the bottle area? apart from the normal checking hoses water pumps and radiator area, check those pipes under the car that run through the booster and rear heater especially by the rear wheel arch where the pipes disappear into the car.

 

Does the heater still blow hot when requested? have you had water pump problems with this car?

 

Have also PM'd you

[wackojackouk]

Hi Chris

 

Thanks for the reply mate. I had a look under the car at lunchtime (I had to go out) and there was a big damp patch (not loads of water) on the floor kinda level with the passenger front wheel. I thought that was it so got down but the fluid appeared clear (I can only presume this was some rain water from this mornings school run - or something else :) ).

 

Had a look under the bonnet and the level appeared about the same (although my mark had fallen off - so starting that again with a tiny piece of gaffer tape). I then got under the front (as best I could) and could see some red liquid (coolant) which had ran down and was dripping off some part of the engine (left hand side) - I'll try and take a picture or two later on.

 

I definitely thing there is a leak somewhere as I searched around with a torch and saw a couple of other places below the pipes (between the egnine cover and the expansion bottle). Felt around but couldn't feel any wetness though (again will add another pic).

 

I did top up yesterday but don't remember spilling any coolant so have wipe away some of it which was dripping from the bottom (not lots though) and will see if it comes back whilst of course keeping an eye on the level.

 

Did have a quick whizz around the booster heater but couldn't see anything (will double check later) and will try the heater to see if it warms up either later OR first thing tomorrow. No water pump issues AFAIK with the car (3 years this year) but had numourous a/c pipes / condenser etc changed as well as the DMF back in April.

 

One thing I did notice was that I don't think I can hear the Run On pump. TBH I'm not sure if I hear it normally. Any idea what I'm listening for on this? - I do get a noise when I turn the key but only recall a kinda buzzing noise "sometimes" after turning the car off. - again not sure if this is related but my aux heater doesn't work properly.

 

Cheers

 

WJUK

Edited July 16, 2012 by wackojackouk

[SilverBeast]

How many miles has the car done. The run on pump bushes seem to wear out around 80-90k depending on the sorts of journeys run. I believe that most TDI 115 s should run on for a couple of minutes after stopping. I know my 55 TDI 130 doesn't though and the concensus appears to be that it isn't supposed to. The run on pump is at the back of the engine bay virtually straight behind the fuel filter. If you make sure the aircon/heater fans are off and turn on the ignition (without starting) you should hear it running. If you can get your hand to it you will be able to feel the vibration too.

Here's a picture of mine with the tray above the engine off

It runs all the time the engine does. If it isn't and you can reach it wiggle it about a bit or tap it (it's held in two rubber collars rather than hard-mounted to the bulkhead) and sometimes it will run for a bit. If it does it is more than likely worn bushes, but could possibly be damaged wiring.

 

You can replace the bushes but they are not a recognised Ford/VW/Seat spare. I've done mine with some I got from ebay. There is a guide in the FAQ's.