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[Sir Tigger KC]

Hi All,

I have a water leak and its overheating at low speeds and running hot (90-95) when cruising..

Its dripping from around the radiator drain plug, but I don't think that it is the drain plug leaking....

Is there a common leak from somewhere that ends up dripping there?? and am I right in thinking that the rear rad is the AC rad?

I used the AC for first time in ages , would that have caused a leak?

Cheers

[Richard A]

Just had a year of the same type of leak in the same place, check the 'temp sensors' are screwed in tight, there are two, if it's not them I had to change the rad, that sorted the problem.
The right-hand plastic pod had a hairline crack which opened in hot conditions so was difficult to see.  
regards
richarda

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks, but where are the temp sensors?

and do these rads come in one unit or are they separate?

[albitz]

I had exactly the same thing a few weeks ago,it also turned out to be a crack in the plastic,it was near the top but slowly runnig down the side and dripping at the bottom of the rad.

[Andy B]

Thanks, but where are the temp sensors?

and do these rads come in one unit or are they separate?

There are various temp sensors in the cooling system, coolant bridge - hidden right at the back of the engine, and a couple on the rad itself.

You have a coolant radiator and infront of that, a condensor for your A/C- 2 separate systems. If your car is auto though, it has an ATF cooler in the driver's side of it.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Yes its an auto......

So it seems like a new rad might be in order So the rad at the back is the coolant system? Sorry bit fick!!

[Andy B]

.... So the rad at the back is the coolant system? .....

The one closest to the engine, it gets hot with the engine running!      

[Sir Tigger KC]

Its getting damn hot at the mo!!!

Any advice on where to get at rad from? Would you use a second hand one? and are they easy to fit??

Cheers!

[JohnM]

90-95 sounds okay for a petrol (marked) guage to me.
(I'd say mine sits 92-95 unless "warmed" to 97)

My drain plug can drip/small leak unless nipped up - thought might be a dry seal but slight turn with a screwdriver sealed it okay.

If AC used just now it is possible you've a HBV leaking.

To overheat (c.100) you are either short of water, restricted rad or a pump issue I'd have thought.  How's your expansion tank level - any warnings?

[Sir Tigger KC]

Hi John,

Yes, I got the low coolant message, and it was leaking quite alot.  I put a bottle of radweld in as I needed it yesterday and that stopped the leak and the tank level was fine all day. However the temp climbed rapidly when I came off the motorway and got stuck in traffic and lights etc but came down again when I got going again.

Its started to leak abit again today, and the tank level has dropped about an inch

[Andy B]

.....
Any advice on where to get at rad from? Would you use a second hand one? and are they easy to fit??

Cheers!

I fitted a new one from Vauxhall ... around £200 on Trade Club, not sure about pattern rads. I wanted new OE as I didn't want the prospect of being on a breakdown truck with my caravan in tow!
And straight forward to fit, a bit tight getting your hands in at the top passenger side, but nothing too drastic.  

[Andy B]

...... However the temp climbed rapidly when I came off the motorway and got stuck in traffic and lights etc but came down again when I got going again. ......

All 3 fans running?  :-?

[Sir Tigger KC]

I suppose that the problem with getting one from a scrappy is that a numpty might have put radweld in it.....

Seen them on fleabay for around £50 tho...

[Sir Tigger KC]

Yep, my first thought was the waterpump, but when i pulled up the temp had climbed to just before 100 , so i sat and let it tick over and the temp dropped back to about 90...