markwithey
Member
Registered: 18th Mar 07
User status: Offline
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Hi guys. I'm totally new to Corsas and, if i'm honest, know little to nothing about cars in general!!
Thought i'd seek advice from the experts as i'm considering buying my girlfriend's V reg 1.2 16V 5dr Club.
It's done 88K and she bought it new. She wants around £1500 - is that a fair price for both concerned?
I've been driving it for the last month and it's not put a foot wrong. However, there is one issue, and please excuse my ignorance in describing this...
...the temp gague will every now and again work it's way close to the top. I figure this is bad. This coincides with the bowl thingy in the engine bay becoming dry as a bone (I think that's where the coolant stuff goes:boggle ...when this happens we just stick some water in and it's fine.
So my question is, am I dealing with the beginning of a serious issue...some sort of easily patched up leak...or do I just keep sticking water/urinating in the tank thing?
Any help would be very extremely gratefully received 
All the best and thanks,
Mark
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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head gasket could be on its way out, does the exhaust smoke at all? have a look under the oil cap for a white sludge,
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
User status: Offline
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The fact that it's losing water somewhere isn't good.
Hopefully it would just be a loose pipe, but at worst, it could be head gasket failure.
Is there any white goo under the oil cap, or the lid on the coolant bottle?
I also think £1500 is a little over the odds, but only by about 150-200 quid I suppose.
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markwithey
Member
Registered: 18th Mar 07
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Just had a look, and there's no white mayo stuff on either cap and no smoke from the exhaust. It all looks in pretty good nick in there, but that water's coming out somewhere. Any ideas?
Thanks for replying so quickly guys!
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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may seem obvious but is their no water under the car when its been running for a while? espically when the engine is warm ( any leaks may expand when the engine is hot )
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markwithey
Member
Registered: 18th Mar 07
User status: Offline
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Coolant bottle is empty now so i'll go fill it and see if it leaks from cold, and if not i'll try it warm...
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
User status: Offline
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It's just a case of working round the hoses checking for leaks then, or the radiator could have a leak.
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markwithey
Member
Registered: 18th Mar 07
User status: Offline
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Right...no leakage but I get the idea that she will when driven. Can I assume this is more than likely a hose or radiator problem than the gasket? I'm hoping cos even I know that head gaskets cost more than a little bit to fix!!
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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If its not smoking and theres no sludge its very unlikely its gonna be the gasket, will be the rad or a hose, keep your eyes peeled for leaks,
Dont let it run out either or the gasket WILL go
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markwithey
Member
Registered: 18th Mar 07
User status: Offline
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Thanks mate. Before I let you go, can you estimate a cost to fix either? Ball park figure will be fine...just something to go on.
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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With regard to your first question, the price is a bit steep imo.
Sounds like you've got the answers to your overheating problems though, kind of.
Oh, and welcome
[Edited on 18-03-2007 by deano87]
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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probably 200 - 300 if it was the headgasket cant see it being much if its only a split hose or a clip come loose,
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markwithey
Member
Registered: 18th Mar 07
User status: Offline
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Thanks so much guys - you've been really helpful.
I'll try and knock her down a bit!! Garage for me tomorrow then.
Thanks once more and I'll keep you posted of any progress/changes.
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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No probs, hope you get it sorted 
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