Important! : Leaking coolant/antifreeze?!

1. shannon-ob Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 Bath Posts: 2577 Saxo VTR

   #1 12th November 2012, 13:45

   Hello!
   
   Again, have a little problem...
   
   Was out last night seeing some friends. Went to drive back home, tried putting the heaters on. But they were stone cold Looked at the engine temperature and it was sky high. So I turned the engine off immediately and pulled over. Checked under bonnet etc. Everything seemed fine, except for the massive puddle of antifreeze/coolant. Although the expansion tank was quite full still
   
   Obviously there was nothing i could do there and then. So I asked one of my mates to drive me home etc. got back to the car about an hour ago with a spare bottom rad hose, as this is where it looked like it was leaking from. Although looking at it today in daylight, the leak was trickling off the sump
   
   My mate (DavidKent) who came out to tow me home also inspected it and said he didnt think it was coming from a hose yet it could be from the water pump! As all the pipes were cold.
   
   The hotter the car gets the more fluid leaks.
   
   Just wondering if this could be a symptom of water pump?
   
   Cheers for any help in advanced!
2. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #2 12th November 2012, 13:46

   Could be a pipe on the back of the block, or the water pump as said. you need to get into there and see, see if the pump is wet by taking the cambelt covers off. Pump only has one seal mind you but by the design of it it shouldnt leak that easily to be honest.
3. shannon-ob Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 Bath Posts: 2577 Saxo VTR

   #3 12th November 2012, 14:06

   Yeah that's what I originally thought, the bottom rad hose. But where it connects to the engine is boiling, go a little further down and freezing! Defo must be water pump
4. shannon-ob Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 Bath Posts: 2577 Saxo VTR

   #4 12th November 2012, 16:07

   If it is the pump then does anyone know if it is an expensive/ballache job?
5. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #5 12th November 2012, 16:24

   Could be an air lock. Rev the engine a bit from cold and take a look in the header tank, if the level drops a bit general means the pump is working.
   And its not a difficult job (cambelt off etc) but its time consuming as due to the block design and pump design, they generally dont like to come out without a fight.
   
   Mine came out but I had to hit it for an hour or two with a big bar and a hammer and literally smash the mounting lugs to pieces:
   
   
6. shannon-ob Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 Bath Posts: 2577 Saxo VTR

   #6 12th November 2012, 16:28

   Cool, i'll try that!
   Will that mean, i'll have to do cambelt too? :/
7. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #7 12th November 2012, 17:26

   Best practise too after all you'll be taking it off to get at the pump and obviously that takes the timing out