Coolant Leak

[dunc 0]

Hi guys, I've noticed my 1.9 gti has a water leak at the bulkhead side of the engine and towards the left of the engine (cam belt side), I was unable to see where it was coming from when I was at the car. The MOT is due soon and can't get access to the car to check again so would like to get the part asap.

 

Any common problems in this area, it seems to be below the manifold in terms of height but at the LHS.

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance

 

Dunc.

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

I'd check the condition of your metal water pipe, as most have seen better days, bolts on the inner wing on the offside. Also, the two rubber hoses that attach are prone to perishing so worth looking at. One goes to the bottom of the rad, the other to the water distribution block on the back of the engine. Could also be the distribution block itself, assuming yours is a 91' it will have the plastic outlet which often crack, could also be the O ring.

 

cheers, James

[large 33]

How long have you had the car and what do you know about it. I had the same problem I checked/ replaced all the things James has said, in the end the block was cracked just above the water dis block on the back of the engine. This normaly happens if the haed gaskit is replaced had the big spacer if left out.

You will need to put the car up on ramps and have a good look. Or you could ask the mot guy to have a look.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Another thing could be the water pump.

[dunc 0]

Cheers for the responses.

 

First thing I checked was the metal pipe as I've had a problem with that on a previous 205 and it seems OK. The problem is definately in the engine area so the pipe at the distibution or the distribution could be the problem.

 

I take it the water pump is in the cambelt area under the cover? It seemed more back of engine so I'll try tracing the water pipe back to the distribution first.

 

I've had it 9 months and it's been perfect so far apart from this so fingers crossed it's not a cracked head.

 

Finally I wanted to fix this before taking in for MOT as they always leave cars idling for the duration of the MOT every place I go

 

Cheers,

 

Dunc.

Edited March 20, 2010 by dunc

[Bottrill 0]

I would be 90% sure it will be distribution block related, either the rubber O'ring has perished inside (happened to me last week), the plastic has cracked itself or it is leaking at one of the hose clamps.

 

Lee.

Edited March 20, 2010 by Bottrill

[dunc 0]

I would be 90% sure it will be distribution block related, either the rubber O'ring has perished inside (happened to me last week), the plastic has cracked itself or it is leaking at one of the hose clamps.

 

Lee.

Cool will be my first port of call cheers.

 

Dunc.

[Bigtimmy 1]

I would be 90% sure it will be distribution block related, either the rubber O'ring has perished inside (happened to me last week), the plastic has cracked itself or it is leaking at one of the hose clamps.

 

I'd have to agree, when I installed my engine back in January I checked the distribution block carefully and check it regularly. I thought it looked like a weakspot so I'll keep checking it whenever I'm under the car!

[Bottrill 0]

There is no need to buy the rubber 0'ring from Pug if this is the culprit. They wanted to charge me £1.50odd for one, then proceeded to tell me that they come in packs of four because it would be unlikely they would sell the rest. Fair point I guess. Any motor factors should be able to help. I got mine free from Pirtek? / Pirtec? if you have one close to you.

[dunc 0]

There is no need to buy the rubber 0'ring from Pug if this is the culprit. They wanted to charge me £1.50odd for one, then proceeded to tell me that they come in packs of four because it would be unlikely they would sell the rest. Fair point I guess. Any motor factors should be able to help. I got mine free from Pirtek? / Pirtec? if you have one close to you.

Yes got a Pirtek just down the road from me so will bare that in mind, take it the distribution block can be had from Peugeot easily enough?

 

Thanks,

 

Dunc.

[dunc 0]

Got a chance to inspect it briefly here's a couple of pics -

 

 

 

Pretty dry around the water pipes but dripping from below the timing belt cover, water pump or still possible it is the head spacer crack that has been mentioned?

 

Cheers,

 

Dunc.

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Deffinately the water pump, looks like its been leaking a while judging by the limescale build up. The cambelt needs to come off so might aswell get a cambelt kit which comes with a tensioner and a new water pump. If it was the headbolt through the block it wouldn't be leaking from there, would be above the distribution block.

[large 33]

yer water pump. As said do the timing belt as well.

[dunc 0]

It's been off the road for the winter to keep it away from the salty roads so that might explain the limescale if it's been leaking all that time.

 

Massive thanks for the help on this lads

 

Dunc.

Edited March 27, 2010 by dunc

[dunc 0]

Yes it was the water pump and is fixed now, thanks for the advice.

 

Dunc.