36 replies to this topic

[christurbo]

The coolant is loosing about 1-2cms every week. And I cannot find for the life of me where the leak is coming from The former owner of the vx had the front pipes and expansion tank replaced in the summer and cannot see any leaks from there. Is there is sure way of finding the leak??? If not how does the garage find it?? [pressure testing??] Sick of filling it up every week on the dot! Thanks Chris

[Thorney]

Thats quite a bif leak tbh so shouldnt be too hard to find? Try feeling around the front pipes on the rad (they tend to leak at the clip) so they'll be wet.

[christurbo]

I cant see any leakage anywhere. How can I tell if its the rad How mauch are they Typical - 3 months out of warrenty and this happens

[Pidgeon]

Were you born lucky? Bet you are delighted you got rid of that unreliable Elise

[christurbo]

The Elise was 1000 times more reliable than this!!! The main reason for buying a VX over the S2 was reliability - All ive had with this VX is problems!

[benw]

I've got the same problem mate. I've checked my hoses and expansion tank and they're all fine (Only 8 months old!!). Kevin at Quantum Motorsport told me there was a leak at the bleed screw which needed seeing to but I haven't had a chance to look at that yet. Will do tomorrow. Theory was it's unlikely the bleed screw is the source for such massive leakage though so must be something else??

[christurbo]

I've got a horrid feeling its the rad. The problem is that its so covered its hard to see if it actually is leaking. I will have a look tomorrow when its light - Ive also prov booked it into lookers. But if it is the rad im not going to pay $$$ for a new rad and pay $$$ for them to remove the front clam to fit it. I think im better off buying a rad and fitting it myself. How can I see if its coming from the rad?? [squeeze the pipe and look for bubbles?] EDIT - Just found out that the rad cost £205.

Edited by christurbo, 09 December 2005 - 02:11 PM.

[benw]

You can get a pro-alloy one fitted instead. More expensive but they don't break like the OEM ones do! Not sure how to check the rad by the way. Can only think of running the car and checking round for damp areas. Wipe any damp areas dry and see if it gets wet again!

[christurbo]

I'll have a go tomorrow. Think I'll always buy from a stealer from now on. At least you can get a 12 month warrenty. Ive only had it a month and so far the coolant is leaking and I had the accelerator sensor go on me too! Thats advice to you newbies.

Edited by christurbo, 09 December 2005 - 02:27 PM.

[johnaachen]

If I were you I would take the car for a run, when you get back park it up with some paper or white sheet underneath the entire front end of the car. Leave it sitting for 30 minutes or so. Then, take out the paper/sheet out from underneath the car and see where it is wet. Then you know roughly where the leak is from. If you use a white sheet you should be able to distinguish the coolant (will be blue or red or green) from rain/ oil etc. Maybe this helps?

[benw]

Yeah, I'd thought about doing that. Trouble is I lose 1/2-inch per week / 150 miles. Therefore it's not pouring out - just seeping. I doubted whether anything from the cooling system would actually drip as it leaking so slowly. You'd have to take the undertray off as well......

[johnaachen]

Yeah, I'd thought about doing that. Trouble is I lose 1/2-inch per week / 150 miles. Therefore it's not pouring out - just seeping. I doubted whether anything from the cooling system would actually drip as it leaking so slowly.

You'd have to take the undertray off as well......

Ah yeah I didnt think of that - I dont have one yet you see!

You could try wrapping some material around the suspect parts and then they will be "coloured" by the coolant?

Small leaks are notoriously difficult to find

Actually that should work!!

[christurbo]

That is the main problem with the VX - access. Just had a phone call from my other half, she has had a look on the internet and had a quote from the RAC for its 5 star cover. All parts, problems, punctures, tyre slashings, breakdowns, parts for MOT passing, etc etc for £250 a year Think Im going to join that then wait for a month or two and call em out! Certainly the safest bet for a car like this that has given me quite a few problems recently. What do you think?

[turboman]

Mate why not take it for a good run, get it nice and hot by leaving it standing whilst running and you should see steam. If you cant find it, try a block of radweld, I know its only supposed to be a temporary fix but it always worked on my old bangers, it was normaly the heater matrix leaking which would of cost more than the cars were worth to replace. Worth a try at the dealer if you find the leak, Vauxhall may pay a large percentage of the cost as a good will gesture.

[christurbo]

Where can I get this rad weld from???

Halfords???

Does it actually work? Do I have to bleed the system before adding???

Seems too good TBT???

CLICKY

Edited by christurbo, 09 December 2005 - 03:42 PM.

[JG]

Rad from eliseparts, £125 clicky

[turboman]

Where can I get this rad weld from???

Halfords???

Does it actually work? Do I have to bleed the system before adding???

Seems too good TBT???

CLICKY

Petrol stations or Halfords, yes it does work if its a small leak, gotta be worth a try.

[christurbo]

Great stuff - done some research about it. Its available at halfords. Loads of people use it, its been used on all forums!!! Cant beleive I havent heard of it before, looks like most people use it as a temp measure, but it works that well they dont bother doing anything about it! Oh and is apparantly used religiously by second hand car/bike dealers. Do I need to bleed the whole system then fill it up with radweld? Or just add a bottle to my coolant?

[turboman]

just add it mate

[kevvxmech]

Dont do it radweld is only used as a quick fix for dealers who want to get away with a cheap repair. the concept behind it is it blockes up small holes. But it also blockes rads heater matrixs water ways in cylinder heads. if your planning on keeping the car fix the leak properly. check the plastic ends of the rad, failing that get it pressure tested. does it start in the morning ok with out missfiring?