Lots and lots of steam but can't find the leak!
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Lots and lots of steam but can't find the leak!
My car is pouring out lots of steam from under the bonnet on the drivers side. Check the coolant level and its fine. I just can't find where its coming from.
The car seems fine and driving it a little today and temps are all OK.
One thing it might be is that I jet-washed the car a few days ago and whilst trying to remove a very stubborn seagull poo alot of water went into the bay. I'm hoping its just excess water but I would have thought it would have stopped by now.
Car is MY00 - Sorry to be vague but any ideas? What else under the car uses water?
The car seems fine and driving it a little today and temps are all OK.
One thing it might be is that I jet-washed the car a few days ago and whilst trying to remove a very stubborn seagull poo alot of water went into the bay. I'm hoping its just excess water but I would have thought it would have stopped by now.
Car is MY00 - Sorry to be vague but any ideas? What else under the car uses water?
#2
Very little else uses water in the engine?
Only other thing is the window washer maybe you have a leaky pipe in that system thats dripping water on something hot.
Keep a close eye on the coolant. A little water can make a lot of steam. Dont forget the heater is connected to the coolant system. Id run the car till it starts to steam then stop it and see if you can find the exact place the steam is generated. I once had an Audi with a tiny leak in the heater matrix. When you turned on the window de-mist the window got more misty LOL it was nearly 2 weeks before i noticed the coolant level was low!
Only other thing is the window washer maybe you have a leaky pipe in that system thats dripping water on something hot.
Keep a close eye on the coolant. A little water can make a lot of steam. Dont forget the heater is connected to the coolant system. Id run the car till it starts to steam then stop it and see if you can find the exact place the steam is generated. I once had an Audi with a tiny leak in the heater matrix. When you turned on the window de-mist the window got more misty LOL it was nearly 2 weeks before i noticed the coolant level was low!
#3
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Swansea
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
check the drivers side part of the radiator, they have a common fault for cracking on the end tank, drivers side. mine did the same (my98) and seemed to use no water untill one day it let go and i was lucky to notice the steam thru the bonnet vents.
#5
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by [Davey]
Water can sit on the top of the block under the inlet manifold, if you have braked or cornered hard it may have 'sloshed' over to the exhaust..
It didn't do it too much this afternoon but after going round a left hand bend it seemed to be very pronounced. I was worried because after a recent service they said a water pipe was quite badly corroded but I thought it meant a pipe closer to the manifold (if there is such a thing) rather than up top.
Just going to make short trip when I really have to and ring the servicers on Monday to have a quick check over.
Cheers
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Zed Ess Won Hay Tee
Posts: 21,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mine has been the same, i left mine ticking over on a cold morning a few weeks back and it took 45 mins before i saw little whisps of steami coming from the drivers side rad area
still not bought a new rad yet mind, i have just been topping it up every 3/4 days lol
still not bought a new rad yet mind, i have just been topping it up every 3/4 days lol
#7
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WARNING- Excessive use of smilies!
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 96 did the same the other day! Identical, had given it a thorough washing the day before and it had been stood since, so cant rule out left over water yet.
No rise in engine temps and I hadnt been giving it some. Dont think it has done it since, but will find out for definate tomorrow on the run to work.
Finger crossed.
Mart
No rise in engine temps and I hadnt been giving it some. Dont think it has done it since, but will find out for definate tomorrow on the run to work.
Finger crossed.
Mart
Trending Topics
#8
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Went to use the car this morning and theres a suspicious looking puddle underneath the car. Droplets of water on the underguard and the coolant in the tank has definately gone down and full of bubbles Guess I do have a leak somewhere.
During the service they pointed out that a water hose was badly corroded. Got a feeling this is what has failed.
During the service they pointed out that a water hose was badly corroded. Got a feeling this is what has failed.
#9
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When the car is running, shortly after start up, squeeze the top driver side radiator hose in and out and look/listen for any leaks, hissing, splashes etc, mates was the same and we traced it to the top radiator hose.
Better to catch it early and get it changed.
Alternatively give all the joints a good check with kitchen towel for leaks.
HTH
Coulster
Better to catch it early and get it changed.
Alternatively give all the joints a good check with kitchen towel for leaks.
HTH
Coulster
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lancashire : MY99 UK Turbo
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It will most likely be a crack facing the slam panel (more like a hairline fracture) on the drivers side of the radiator. You will not be able to see it unless you take the radiator out.
You may be able to spot water spray on your inner wing/ headlight/ slam panal around this area if the radiator is leaking.
It is a very common problem.
When this happened to me it tended to hold the water in whilst running then let it out when the engine was turned off resulting in a small puddle under car - this also meant the water level went down very slow so the fault was hard to diagnose.
Craig.
You may be able to spot water spray on your inner wing/ headlight/ slam panal around this area if the radiator is leaking.
It is a very common problem.
When this happened to me it tended to hold the water in whilst running then let it out when the engine was turned off resulting in a small puddle under car - this also meant the water level went down very slow so the fault was hard to diagnose.
Craig.
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WARNING- Excessive use of smilies!
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Had a look under the bonnet when I got to work yesterday, usual james bond smoke screen.
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
#13
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Going to check the hoses tonight. At best its a cracked hose and I get the excuse to buy some nice Samco replacements.
If its the rad, what price am I looking at for a replacement?
Ta.
If its the rad, what price am I looking at for a replacement?
Ta.
#14
Originally Posted by BonzWRX
Had a look under the bonnet when I got to work yesterday, usual james bond smoke screen.
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lancashire : MY99 UK Turbo
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by EddScott
Going to check the hoses tonight. At best its a cracked hose and I get the excuse to buy some nice Samco replacements.
If its the rad, what price am I looking at for a replacement?
Ta.
If its the rad, what price am I looking at for a replacement?
Ta.
i got mine from here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUBARU-A-NEW-R...QQcmdZViewItem
Its been fine so far and better quality than original.
Craig
#17
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Just had a look and the top rad hose has a pin hole in it. The steam was from the water dripping down onto the mainfold.
Good excuse to buy some nice blue Samcos
Cheers for the help though chaps!
Good excuse to buy some nice blue Samcos
Cheers for the help though chaps!
#19
Originally Posted by BonzWRX
Had a look under the bonnet when I got to work yesterday, usual james bond smoke screen.
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
Common problem, best bet is a new coolant tank, around £70 from Subaru, depending on year, or treat yourself to an alloy one with no seals to fail!
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Zed Ess Won Hay Tee
Posts: 21,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BonzWRX
Had a look under the bonnet when I got to work yesterday, usual james bond smoke screen.
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
It appeared that there was a a small leak in the expansion tank. The bit where the top plate section joins with the tank itself. Could see little bits of water bubbling out of the join/seal and then down onto the hot engine, producing the steam.
Anyone else experienced this?
Will some sealant around the join sort it, or is the solution a new expansion tank?
Martin
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM