Header Tank Leaking - help !!!
Posted
#637424
(In Topic #76805)
Old Timer
Header Tank Leaking - help !!!
Cheers
Mal
Posted
Settled In
See whether the coolant outlet from the top of the head is blown up like a balloon.
If not - it might just be the coolant sensor that screws into the header tank. Check to see whether this has a crack in it - it will probably be hidden between the threads.
If this is the case the water will come welling up from around the sensor and flow down the outside.
Even so though - a blown head gasket will push the water out even quicker.
Ali Cabrio
PS - I'm replacing my head gasket cos of this at the moment. So far so good, but if you get someone else to do it the cost is a tad on the large side ?400+
Mars Red 1.8 GTi Cabrio 1985
Seat Covers
Scratches
Leaky roof
1 million smiles per hour
Seat Covers
Scratches
Leaky roof
1 million smiles per hour
Posted
Old Timer
I'll check the top coolant outlet but from memory I think everything looks OK….will also check the coolant sensor on the header tank for cracks.
Im talking very little water after a 20 mile run…..there is no water in the oil……if it turns out to be the head gasket I can handle that anyways without paying out for someone else to do it so thats one bonus I suppose !
Cheers for the response
Mal
Posted
Settled In
Park it somewhere where you can spot the wet patch underneath.
I so hoped that mine was just a leaky water pump - but then gobbets of grease appeared in the coolant header tank - and it started to smell of petrol :roll:
Ali
Mars Red 1.8 GTi Cabrio 1985
Seat Covers
Scratches
Leaky roof
1 million smiles per hour
Seat Covers
Scratches
Leaky roof
1 million smiles per hour
Posted
Old Timer
Its garaged and I have never seen any water on the floor after a run…..there is no grease in the header tank
I'll check the sensor and then probably change the header tank and refresh all the coolant and see what happens then …..fingers crossed !!!
Cheers
Mal
Posted
Old Timer
When it happened again recently I replaced pressure cap, then the header tank (with new), but it turned out to be the head gasket this time.
Owning a Mk1 cabby is a vertical learning curve…
1989 Mk1 Clipper 1.8 automatic - Sadly now up for sale - medical issues dictate)
1999 (Nov) Passat S Saloon 1.9 TDI (AFN) - TUG 1 (Remap by CCC ( - **** …..change pants !!) with cruise control
2000 (Mar) Passat Sport Estate 1.9 TDI (ATJ) 5 speed automatic with Tiptronic - TUG 2 (Remap and cruise control by CCC)
1989 Mk1 Clipper 1.8 automatic - Sadly now up for sale - medical issues dictate)
1999 (Nov) Passat S Saloon 1.9 TDI (AFN) - TUG 1 (Remap by CCC ( - **** …..change pants !!) with cruise control
2000 (Mar) Passat Sport Estate 1.9 TDI (ATJ) 5 speed automatic with Tiptronic - TUG 2 (Remap and cruise control by CCC)
Posted
Settled In
Don't fear the worst, it could well be the header tank
Posted
Old Timer
When the original one gets to a certain age it starts leaking, which is why they changed the design…
This may or may not be related to your leak, which may well be the header tank.
Posted
Old Timer
Thanks again
Mal
Posted
Settled In
ops:
Apologies Malc - completely in world of my own on that one. Good luck with sorting the leak out.
Ali
Mars Red 1.8 GTi Cabrio 1985
Seat Covers
Scratches
Leaky roof
1 million smiles per hour
Seat Covers
Scratches
Leaky roof
1 million smiles per hour
Posted
Old Timer
AliCabrio said
What was I on suggesting the water pump?
ops:
Apologies Malc - completely in world of my own on that one. Good luck with sorting the leak out.
Ali
At least you weren't suggesting it to a Beetle owner! :wink: :mrgreen:
Posted
Old Timer
Cheers
Mal
Posted
Old Timer
MalC said
type17 - Ive located the problem and its just the header tank cap - it has the blue one on but its leaking after a good run - if I order from VAG then will that be the blue one then?
Cheers
Mal
It could be three things:
1. Faulty blue cap - although a better design than the old black one, it could be nearly 10 years old (I Bought one in '97, so it could be at least that old)
2. Too much coolant - if you overfill the system, it will leak out of the cap
3. Failing (but not totally failed) head gasket - causing a little leakage.
Actions:
1. Check coolant level mark to ensure that you aren't overfilling. If not, then
2. Replace blue cap with new one. If it still leaks, then
3. Get a garage to do the test to see are there exhaust fumes in the coolant (they take a coolant sample and mix it with a special chemical, and if it changes colour, the head gasket is allowing exhaust fumes into the coolant)
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