Coolant Leak

[m4nesh]

Hello All, Happy Christmas!

I got the christmas blues, I have a small coolant leak but can't locate it, driving me mad.  I can see white deposits in loads of places but still can't see any leaks.  

Anyone got any suggestions

By the way anyone had any leaks coming directly from the expansion tank.

Cheers

Manesh

[mk1]

Water pump, t'stat housing, metal pipe to the oil filter housing, radiator, head gasket, heater matrix, radiator hoses are all poss. Check the expansion tank, can  crack and the seal in the cap can fail.
Steve.

[golfvr6]

Try some radweld if the leak is only a small one.

[Veedubgt18v]

make sure you follow the instructions and shake it good tho cos if you dont it can block internal passages causing more problems!

[m4nesh]

Checked all the hoses and still no obvious white marks or leaking

I am really suspicious of the expansion tank cannister, I took it apart today and inspected the cannister and it seems to be ok no cracks or holes. However, I did notice that the cannister had a slight rattle to it - leading me to believe that water is escaping through the bottom section and out of the overflow in the top section? Furthermore, there is a hissing coming out of the cannister, after a good run, only furthering my suspicion.

Anyone here had a similar problem......

Anyone know where i can buy a new one from in Leicester...(heres the catch) on  sunday 28th cause i have to go work on Monday.....100 mile round trip

[golfvr6]

The actual tank itself shouldn't rattle.
try changing the cap, if no success then you probably have a small leak on the headgasket.

[m4nesh]

The actual tank itself shouldn't rattle.
try changing the cap, if no success then you probably have a small leak on the headgasket.

Your scaring me when you say "headgasket"!!!
When you say head gasket are you referring to the expansion tank or engine?  If there is a leak in the head gasket can I refer to the haynes manual on sorting it?

Cheers Mate

Manesh

[golfvr6]

Whats the problem? is the expansion tank vent leaking all the time? does it hiss after a long journey?
are the radiator hoses hard? (even after quite a short drive and when left overnight)
I would change the expansion tank cap first.

[m4nesh]

Ive changed the expansion tank and there is still no difference, its really peeing me off ! Coolant is still leaking from the overflow of the expansion tank and it is still hissing.

Anybody got any ideas??

Much Appreciated Cheers

[Gozza]

So how do you know you have a coolant leak ? Can you see it after being parked on the floor or is the level getting low often ??

If the level is gettng low and you are unable to see it then check your oil to see if any creamy sludge is present under the oil cap and dip stick !! If it is then you may well have a shafted head gasget  :-[

Also you say you changed the tank, did you change the cap too ?? Is it still hissing ??