SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
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On weds I was driving and the engine temp went past red. Checked the water coolant and it was empty, my fault for not checking. I filled it up and checked today, it was empty again.
What is the cause of this, a leak somewhere?, what are the most common probs?
I'm taking it to a mate tomorrow but any ideas as to what it could be would be helpful as I'm guessing a leak wouldn't be easy to spot, thanks.
[Edited on 22-07-2007 by SabasSRi]
[Edited on 22-07-2007 by SabasSRi]
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pdwhelan
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Registered: 25th Sep 06
Location: Wigan
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If its pissing water that fast then a leak would be easy to spot! Fill it with water and start the engine and look in/around/underneith the engine and look for drips of water. Also check your exhaust for puddles of water or white smoke!
Does the car sometimes struggle to start? have you checked the oil for water?
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
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couldn't see any water dripping when the engine is running, I haven't cheacked the oil for water
when I started the car up it had white smoke but thought it could have been normal exhaust fumes.
car doesn't struggle when starting.
I know there's probably a million things it could be, I just want an idea if it's a common thing
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pdwhelan
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Registered: 25th Sep 06
Location: Wigan
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Get it tested mate, Does the header tank smell of exhaust fumes at all? my head gasket went and i had smoke coming from the header tank and it would smell of exhaust fumes! lots of preasure builds up aswell when you release the top. Does this happen?
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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I don't think it smells of exhaust fumes.
Is it likely to be a head gasket?
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pdwhelan
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Registered: 25th Sep 06
Location: Wigan
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not sure mate, i reckon its a leak tbh! although my headgasket caused it to lose water that fast but i had the common symptons of a head gasket failure to know what it was!
[Edited on 22-07-2007 by pdwhelan]
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
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okay, thanks for the help, I appreciate that without too much detail it's probably hard to tell what it is, I'm going to get a mate to have a look tomorrow.
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pdwhelan
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Registered: 25th Sep 06
Location: Wigan
User status: Offline
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Good luck, let us know what happens 
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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I will, I'm taking it to his at 4pm tomorrow
Hopefully it won't be too expensive
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matt_t586
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Registered: 22nd Jul 07
Location: Lancashire
User status: Offline
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Check you oil filer cap, if its got a mayonase type substance on it its your head gasket m8
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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I'm going to go and have a look in a min, thanks
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
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I've just checked, the oil cap is fine, the oil is fine, it might be a cracked pipe, or radiatior?
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Dean_W
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Registered: 13th Dec 05
Location: Downham Market, Norfolk
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Cracked rad, split hose, leaking water pump.
Theres a few things to check before assuming HG.
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
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thanks, I appreciate the help, I'll get everything checked
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dan_c4rsa
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Registered: 12th Dec 06
Location: North Yorks Drives: MK3 Seat Cupra
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could even be your header tank 
the cap seal might be gone so when its hot you lose vapour - spesh it your hooning it.
but yeh, rad might be knackerd. Check all the water hoses by your breather hoses my inlet, one of my jubilee clips had snapped there and i lost a lot of water when the pressure bbuilded up, so when i started the car i couldnt see any leaks as it was just idleing.
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
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Just got back from my mate's he had a look, there isn't any obvious leaking, there is misfire , he took aout the plugs and one out of four was suspect, oil on the cap was a little watery, he thinks it could be the head gasket.
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Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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head gasket, was it no.4?
what engine?
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SabasSRi
Member
Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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apparently it might not be the headgasket.
I've been told to get a pressure test to check for leaks?
The engine is a 1.4 16v SRI
[Edited on 24-07-2007 by SabasSRi]
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Andy4k
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Registered: 30th Jun 04
Location: Stockton-on-Tees
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water pump is a comman problem on them engines mine went and was spitting smallest amount of water ever on to ehxaust hissing and evaperating.
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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I took it to a garage, the guy did a pressure test and the liquid changed colour, head gasket will need replacing £520 at this place and they need the car for 2-4 days.
I want to see what vauxhall cost.
when the head gasket gets replaced would it stop the misfire?
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dan_c4rsa
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Registered: 12th Dec 06
Location: North Yorks Drives: MK3 Seat Cupra
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£520!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bloooody 'ell nora.
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SabasSRi
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Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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I 'm going to ring vauxhall tomorrow and see how much they are after, they want to send it away to be cracked tested to make sure it hasn't overheated and warped, or something like that
how much should a head gasket cost to replace?
[Edited on 24-07-2007 by SabasSRi]
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dan_c4rsa
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Registered: 12th Dec 06
Location: North Yorks Drives: MK3 Seat Cupra
User status: Offline
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im sure a mate of mine got his replaced for 150 on his punto.
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ad-sport
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Registered: 16th May 07
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just joining in half way thru here, hi! i work 4 vauxhall pal n it cost about the same as that other place tbh if it was my own car n i was doin it it cost me about 100 quid and probably a day to do it, its the labour involved that makes it expensive
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SabasSRi
Member
Registered: 30th May 05
Location: Hampshire
User status: Offline
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vauxhall want £720 to do it.
I'm goignt o buy the gasket which is £100 and my nate's going to do it for £150 when I have the money, so the car isn't going to be driven for ages now.
how long till the new gasket needs replacing?
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