water leak and erratic temp readings sax vts

5th October 2010, 04:39

filled up water 2 weeks ago after a longer than normal journey and also noticed water was a bit low anyway, only to find that water was dripping out from pipe at joint to passenger side of radiator then stopped after about a litre or so came out and temp was fine. drove home that night after replacing the water that had leaked and temp shot up to just under red then right down to cold then up to normal (just under half) and no more leak, few days later leak (again just a litre or so) on pipe other side of radiator under the water reservoir but temp whilst running stayed at normal. another few days and temp shooting right up to just under red then down to normal and back up to under red and back again constantly and also leaking less than a litre after parking up. top water back up to just under max line and temp shoots right up to just under red then right back down to cold then back to normal.

have been told that system does leak out if overfilled which will admit to first time i topped up as didnt see the max line lol but dont get why when level is within max and min lines it still has the need to bleed out a bit - cant be a proper leak as whole water system would drain not just small amounts - any1 had this before on their vts???

sorry for long explanation but trying to describe as accurately as i can to get best advice

5th October 2010, 06:42

Sounds like you have an air lock in the system possibly? Someone with more knowledge will confirm or shoot me down

5th October 2010, 18:40

yeah that seems to be opinion of every1 ive spoken to about it so am hoping tomorrow will have someone drain my entire water system and then refill with fresh water to release whatever airlock could be there - not mechanically minded person at all but i know if i leave it running over normal temperature itll be head gasket to go first and for me thats something i cant be dealing with just now

7th October 2010, 07:49

flushing whole water system has failed as leaked first time after flushing and replacing water and still no positive ID on where the leak is coming from - it is not from the cap and if it was a hose all the water would come out not just a small amount and there is no sign of any cracks on water reservoir or radiator for that matter

however since yesterday i have covered 32 miles going to work and temperature has not gone above half way and no sign of any leak at all over those miles - just dont get it and cant afford to throw it in a garage and say fix it whatever the cost as much as i would like to

7th October 2010, 08:16

I know you are against the idea but a good garage should have a cooling system vacuum filling kit. In a few minutes they should be able to determine whether or not the system is leaking. If not it only takes a few minutes more to fill the system removing airlocks with this kit. Shouldn't cost you a great deal.

7th October 2010, 18:52

if it has to go to a garage then so be it just trying to get it sorted as cheaply as i can so far its cost me a few litres of water and a couple of hours of my time - everytime i try and look for where its leaking it decides to stop therefore if it does same at garage then itll cost me their labour in finding the fault - looks as if i will have to find one of these vacuum filling kit enabled garages

7th October 2010, 19:10

If you or the garage cannot find the leak ask them to put a UV leak tracer dye in the cooling system. You may have to drive it around but when it leaks, take it back to the garage and using an Ultra Violet (sometimes black) light it will show up. All leaks will glow like made in the presence of the light.

7th October 2010, 19:38

if your taking it to a garage to see if it is leaking get them to pressure test it you will soon see if there is a leak anywhere it normally pisses out

7th October 2010, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by stendog

if your taking it to a garage to see if it is leaking get them to pressure test it you will soon see if there is a leak anywhere it normally pisses out

That works nearly everytime but on the odd occasion you get the mysterious one that won't do it. The dye is fall back in those odd cases.

8th October 2010, 07:53

well yeah it hasnt leaked since tuesday morning not a single drop and running temperature is perfect so will now wait until its leaking again before i take it garage - thanks to all that have commented

11th October 2010, 11:20

have had a new development and am sure it is related to this problem too. noticed last night that my battery light is flickering on and off which am sure is alternator belt needs looking at and in a few of my cars i had before this belt drove the water pump also

i think it makes sense that the 2 problems are connected unless any1 here can correct me?

11th October 2010, 13:33

The water pump is driven by the timing belt, sorry

11th October 2010, 15:04

oh.

guess im gonna have to go all out on payday and VTS going for an overhaul then if i got more than one problem to be sorted now

29th August 2011, 20:06

Me and my dad fitted a new engine in a 02 plate saxo vtr engine its starts and runs fine but has a water leak from the back of engine any ideas wat it cud be ?? I belive it may be there is a big water coolent pipe goes in to the engine. Does any one no if the pipe is ment to have a gaskket or a o ring thanks

29th August 2011, 20:10

i would say air lock or thermotstat

29th August 2011, 20:10

possible headgasket???

29th August 2011, 20:21

It really pisses out

29th August 2011, 20:40

It was apparntley a rekon engine and looks it but who nos