[Liam]

On my way home on Wednesday night my car dropped all its coolant. Lots of steam - very exciting!

Fortunately I was 2 mins from home and the temp of the remaining coolant wasn't too high (and no warning lights). Drove it home but pitch black so it's waiting until the weekend. It was dripping yeaterday morning (running down the front of the sump) so I put a container underneath but there's very little in it. I think it dropped all the coolant by the time I got home.

I'm guessing I've lost a hose or something but before I start investigating tomorrow is there a known problem I should be looking for first?

Cheers,

Liam.

 

[Full Leather]

Mine did the same not too long ago- it was the head to heater hose, it had deteriorated anb slipped off at the right angle bend at the head end. Cheap and easy to fix though!

 

[AYM]

Could be water pump let go this is common and not to hard to replace

 

[Liam]

Thanks guys.

If I can't find a suspect hose then how do I prove that it's the water pump?

Do you think my local motor factors will be able to supply me with either of these parts or will I need a dealer/specialist?

 

[Paul D]

Fill the water system up and watch were the water runs out. As it was a magor leak there shouldn't be any problem observing where the water comes out from.

If you have lost most of the water then the leak should be lower down on the system

 

[900016Turbo]

Don't forget to check the Engine Oil for those tell-tale signs of water in the engine. Especially if it looks like the head gasket though as you say it poured out probably too quickly for that to happen. Still, for the time taken to check the filler cap/dip-stick, it's got to be worth doing.

If you do find those nasty creamy depostis, don't forget to change the oil & do it more than once to ensure the breather doesn't get blocked up.

 

[Liam]

Found the leak - small diameter metal pipe leading from bottom right (O/S) of turbo to the water pump(?). Rusted to death.

Curiously it seemed to lose less water when idling than with the engine off so I drove it to my mechanic. It needs an MOT this week so it can have that done at the same time.....

 

[Paul D]

Liam,
I replaced the same pipe on my previous 9000, before failure occured. It's one of the Turbo water cooling pipes. Due to exposure to heat from the turbo, and road salt/water, it does corrode quite quickly.

It's certainly worth other members taking a look at the same pipe on older cars in case of the need for preventative maintainance.