Loosing Coolant

[Guest smudge.g]

I have an ageing 97 2.0 galaxy and very recently have started loosing coolant at a rate of about 1 litre per day. I have checked for leaks but nothing is apparent and no 'mayo' in the oil so I'm hoping this is an external leak. I have to refill the expansion tank around every 2 or 3 days as the light above the temp guage starts to flash. I have read in other posts of faulty or loose fitting caps but would this lead to such a large loss of water? The engine doesnt overheat and there is no signs of water boiling away, that I am aware of.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as its a pain having to keep filling up after 3 years of happy and trouble free motoring.

GS

[Guest j_mchattie]

Any steam out the exhaust?

 

My head gasket went, with no mayo. Just steam.

 

I would strongly advise (ie do this before worrying yourself), change the thermostat and the exp. cap.

 

They are very cheap and may cure your problem.

 

A compression test may also reveal a problem.

[Guest thecodfly]

hi there had similar problem with my galaxy when first got it, turned out to be the water pump leaking, frauds wnated nearly 500 pound to fix, so glad it was under warranty, hope this helps and not frightens you to much

[Guest marcusheawood]

I too had a mystery leak, and replaced the expansion cap seal (

[Andrew T]

Yes I've come across that on a previous car, water was leaking form the top of the Radiator and was mostly evaporating off the back of the Rad. The large undertray stooped anything dribbling on the Ground. It was only apparent when removing the Radiator where the water had been going.

[Guest MATT]

...very recently have started loosing coolant at a rate of about 1 litre per day.

that

[Guest stevebm1]

are the footwells,wet?,does the heater work?,could be the heater matrix sprung a leak

[Guest smudge.g]

Thanks for all the help so far, there's some good suggestions for further investigation. There is no water in the footwells, no mayo in the oil, no apparent problems with the cooling/heating system etc but I have noticed today some residual water on top of what looks like the clutch housing - right hand side of engine (hard to see with all the pipes in the way). My galaxy is a continental version - LHD but I assume the engine components are all in the same place.

Also I have noticed that the expansion tank is quite loose and easily 'wobbled', is this normal or should there be some free-play? Again, it is very difficult to see beneath the tank with all the ancillary stuff infront.

Will investigate further this weekend.....

(hope its not the water pump - car is 7 years old, no warranty, Neapolitan garages that rip us off out here as well - using 2nd hand parts and billing for new etc!!!)

[Ivor]

I have just had mine fixed with these symptoms - 1 litre coolant loss per day.

 

It was a leaking vacuum relief valve, located somewhere behind the engine I believe.

[Guest smudge.g]

After the car has been into the garage for a number of fixes, including the water loss, surprise surprise, its come back with continuing water loss!!

Unfortunately all the garages here are now closed for the summer but I have located the leak:

The pipe that houses the coolant low level warning plug has a crack in the rubber coating (it has a steel tube inside) and the water seems to be leaking from here when under pressure.

Does any one know if there is an online site for replacements, as Naples in the summer is dead with most people on holiday!

The pipe has the part number PA66 - GF 30 stamped on it and the Audi-VW sign.

Thanks and happy holidays all.