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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: bob23 on 28 March 2012, 16:11

Title: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 28 March 2012, 16:11
I have a mk3 gti 8v, it still isn't on the road yet so is just sat on the drive, I start it and move it once a week to stop anything seizing on it, I started it the other day and left it idling, after about 2 minutes it stalled, I wobbled the reservoir bottle, it showed it had water in it and the temperture needle was reading cold so I started it again and after a couple of seconds the warning temp light started flashing and it stalled again, I tried to start it again but this time it wouldn't turn over.

I took the cap off the reservoir bottle and the water that was in it disappeared down the pipe, I put 3 litres of water in it and it still didn't show in the bottle, there is no water leaking on the floor under the car and it isn't a head gasket, I've looked at all the pipes I can get to under the bonnet and none look perished or split and all are fitted properly, anyone have any idea where it could be going?

I had to wait for it to cool down before it would start again and it runs fine, just worried what the problem could be. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: tweed on 28 March 2012, 17:02
Water has gone and it won't turn over?

Hope the water isn't in the cylinders  :lipsrsealed:

Check oil for milky sh!t
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 28 March 2012, 17:29
No water in the oil, as I said it isn't the head gasket and I had to wait for it to cool down before it would start again and it runs fine, I'm assuming that it got too hot, the piston rings expanded and the engine seized, then when it cooled down the rings shrank again.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 28 March 2012, 17:32
have you tried putting more water in it since then and does that disappear as well?
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: tweed on 28 March 2012, 17:40
Well from what your saying I think it got hot and evaporated.
Bet it's a early gti? sh!t expansion tank!
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 28 March 2012, 17:45
I filled it up the next day and it has stayed at the same level for the last couple of days, I even ran it for half an hour at a fast ilde, still hasn't moved.

tweed it is a 1995.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: tweed on 28 March 2012, 17:56
What colour is your expansion tank cap?
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 28 March 2012, 20:17
It's blue.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: tweed on 28 March 2012, 23:03
gay.they're the good ones.

hard to say, keep a eye on it mate  :undecided:
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: forsh on 29 March 2012, 11:06
sh!t in the rad that blocked the water going down

why you putting water in it anyway ,should be coolant!


undo the top rad pipe and bottom rad pipe,run a hose pipe from the tap and flush it out

try flush out the engine also for a few miniutes,see what comes out

then put pipes back on ,fill it back up with coolant or 50-50 coolant and water ,and check it from there

Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: tweed on 29 March 2012, 13:29
Topping up with water is fine. Especially in this weather.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 29 March 2012, 13:36
Topping up with water is fine. Especially in this weather.

Coolant also helps prevent corrosion.
However i would only put water in if it's all dissappearing, at least until i found the source of the leak!
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 29 March 2012, 15:02
When I know where it all went I was planning on flushing the system, replacing the rad and using coolant, just to update gone to it today and there is no water in the bottle, haven't topped it up yet to see how much it has lost.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 29 March 2012, 15:12
The water fairies have drunk it all.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: MK3 Menace on 29 March 2012, 15:35
When I know where it all went I was planning on flushing the system, replacing the rad and using coolant, just to update gone to it today and there is no water in the bottle, haven't topped it up yet to see how much it has lost.

Mine did the same as this and it was leaking out the side of the tank next to the wing. Where it bolts to the mount. Check all round the tank for leaks.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: VR6_Wherry on 29 March 2012, 15:38
Mine is leaking too, I filled it up yesterday drove a bout 5 mins. Stopped with the engine running then drove round the block and when i came back there was a puddle where i was stopped. Need to source the leak also but at least i know it's not the head!
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 29 March 2012, 15:40
The water fairies have drunk it all.

Yeah... Sure :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: Rmachines on 29 March 2012, 17:39
Its leaking from the bottom right corner of your radiator i bet.... Take a look for wet patches with a tourch.   :wink:
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: andy-gti84 on 29 March 2012, 20:06
got a 8v as well an mine is doing the same have to fill it ever 3 days. just got my self new water pump,thermst,-flang that sittn at front of block. going to get it all sorted next week.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 29 March 2012, 23:23
Its leaking from the bottom right corner of your radiator i bet.... Take a look for wet patches with a tourch.   :wink:

I'll have a look on my next day off, if that is all it is then I'm not bothered as I will be changing the rad anyway.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: gasketface on 30 March 2012, 11:20
Check inside the car as well,maybe your heater rad is leaking.
Title: Re: Where has all my water gone???
Post by: bob23 on 31 March 2012, 22:50
Had a good look at the rad can't see any leaks, took half the dash apart and lifted the carpets to check for water marks/wet patches, can't find anything, annoying because it's obviously going somewhere.