Coolant weep

[jmsheahan]

Hi all, after a little help.

I've had a slight coolant leak on my 8v digi since I got it a year ago. I've been trying to source the leak for ages and am now running out of options - starting to p*ss me off having to keep topping it up! The car looses about 0.5-1cm every week (100ish miles).

So far I've replaced:

- radiator
- thermostat and seal
- flange on side of head (which I thought was the culprit as the seal on that looked rather knackered)
- flange on front of head
- expansion tank cap

System was fully bled again recently and car runs and drives fine. Gauge doesn't go much past half way ever, fan kicks in every now and then as it should but isn't on constantly.

- heater works on all settings and blows warm
- the carpet behind the centre console is not damp and doesn't have any signs of leaking from the matrix
- oil temp sits between 90-102

Any ideas? I've heard radweld is bad for matrix's and I'm not keen on the stuff anyway. K seal has been recommended but is it any good or just snake oil? I have pink G12 in there now so hopefully it may leave a trace!

Any help appreciated

[Wayne]

Might be worth getting the head gasket checked as a next step.

[jmsheahan]

Might be worth getting the head gasket checked as a next step.

I had it checked just after I bought the car (about 10months back) as the waterpump belt was slipping and it overheated. Was ok. Doesn't feel down on power at all and as far as I can tell no gunk in the oil. Serviced it at the weekend and oil seemed alright other than being very black.

Do they weep for a bit before they go properly? Might have to go to a garage and get the thing pressure tested.

[yamz89]

First port of call is a pressure test. I had this problem of mystery loss of water. But mine held around 18psi for over an hour so that ruled out the pipe work leaking. I replaced the waterpump (26 quid from vwspares.co.uk) and since then its been perfect.

[rubjonny]

have a damn good look at pipes on waterpump, stat flange and oil cooler hoses, these often seep but since hidden far back difficult to spot. also the metal water pipes vcan get a pinhole that only leak when hot and/or at revs. look over entire bay for crusty white deposits