Loss Of Water

[wah 0]

Hi all,

 

Over the last two days my partners 1.6 gti is going through water like you wouldn't believe, there seems to be no tell tale signs like smoke indicating head gasket etc and I cant see any leaks on idle the header can be full at the start of the day then bone dry by the time she has been to work and a few other short journeys. any pointers on where I should be looking ??

 

 

Si

[Anthony 1,003]

Obvious check for any leaks as even a pin hole leak will quickly lose coolant under pressire when hot, but generally speaking, most of the head gasket failures I've had/seen haven't (atleast initially) smoked or run badly, just consumed significant amounts of coolant.

 

Excessively pressurising the cooling system is another sure sign of HG failure, as is the header tank smelling distinctly fuelly.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

I had an issue like this. It turned out that the hose only leaked under high revs, about 3k. It was a heater hose BTW.

[jord294 92]

heater matrix?

[kyepan 291]

probably worth parking it on a dry flat surface and running it for ten minutes until the fans kick in and it's up to pressure, then have a good look along all the coolant hoses you can see from above and below. Hopefully if it is a small leak it may leave some evidence.

[wah 0]

Had another look today and took the oil fillier cap off now I know folk say you will see some small signs of mayo but this has gone from nothing to it being there so kind of keeps pointing to head gasket, opened up the header there is a smell of fuel

[kyepan 291]

Might be worth doing a quick compression test, would start thinking about how and where you're going to swap it over.

[wah 0]

Gonna get compression test done as my friend is a mechanic, roughly how long do you think it should take to do a head gasket ?

[jord294 92]

i've done one in as little as 4hrs

 

majority of that time was cleaning everything before going back together

[dcc 855]

mine loses 2-3 litres a week from water matrix... just carry pop bottle in boot! lol

[dcc 855]

if engine in car - factor in rusty nuta and bolts... a weekend (especially if you aint done it ourself before)

[wah 0]

dcc 2-3 litres a week this goes through that a day !!! lol

[dcc 855]

is the expansion cap sealing well?

[wah 0]

Think so mate if not I would expect to have seen dried discoloured water marks, and also the signs of the mayo make me think head gasket

[kyepan 291]

Getting it skimmed if necesaary and not disturbing the liners are the two most important points to making sure it stays reliable.

[wah 0]

So how much would you guys say it would cost for a mechanic to do this job taking into account I already have cambelt, water pump and tensioner that were to go on my 1.9 so what other parts would you say obviously gasket ....... ??

[dcc 855]

id say 350-500

[wah 0]

Well discovered tonight its the bottom hose that runs from the header to the bottom of the block drivers side !! after running it up to temp and rechecking

[kyepan 291]

winner!