Low Water Warning Light Every 80 Miles

[dwilk1uk]

Hi i have a 1.9tdi mk2 2003. if the car is run for one hour the water level warning comes on.

 

When i open the resev. cap it bubbles as if sucking in air undrr vaccuum or blowing out air under pressure.

 

The loss is about a pint each time. The oil is clear and there is no evidence of oil in the resev. No white smoke from exhaust or misfires.

 

If i leave the cap off the resev there is movrment and bubbles in the water, some wisps of smoke or steam but unsure.

 

I have had the timing belt and water pump changed (360quid) and it is still happening.

Any advice as i am at my wits end having spent 1000 pound since i bought it 3 months ago (crankshaft 550, brake leak 180) not even done 1,000 mile yet!!!!!

Thanks

[daddyfixit]

when the pump was replaced, the garage surely would have checked it wasn't losing water while the engine was running afterwards ?

 

all you can do is leave the engine running so its hot, put the heaters on so it will help bleed itself and not overheat. while its running keep an eye on the waterpump area, radiator and all hoses----the hotter it gets the more pressure it builds up in the system, and its this you are depending on to start a leak !!!

 

if its anything the garage have done--give them it back under warranty !!!  ask them to do a pressure test on the cooling system.

 

otherwise its a tub of k-seal and a long drive to let it circulate the entire cooling system ??

[dwilk1uk]

Hi the thing i am worried about is a head gasket issue. If i take the res. Cap off and let the engine run what would should i see?

 

At the moment there are very small, tight bubbles coming from the resevoir (left hand side, interior) a bit like white pop bottle foam, not a lot but it is worrying me.

[seatkid]

Probably a cracked cylinder head (small cracks around exhaust valve) or a duff head gasket. Often brought about by someone remapping or chipping their engine.

[chrispb123456]

Have to agree probably head gasket, worst case cracked/porous head.

[xavier]

I'd be ruling out the standard leaking area first. Area around Aux Heater can weep, as can the area around the pump for the aux heater. Just drive it and keep a bottle of water in the back for top-ups, unless you have an option of taking it back to whoever you bought it from.