Expansion bottle major leak. Picture
13 June 2009, 08:05 PM
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Expansion bottle major leak. Picture
I have read a few threads about over heating etc and think i have the same problem as most.
Sat at the traffic lights i smelt boiling radiator water. Checked my temp gauge, not over heating. Next set of lights i got the same smell so pulled over and opened the bonnet. Was not overheating, and there was still water in the filler bottle. The expansion bottle was empty though and the water was all over the engine. After reading a few threads its sounds like i have a head gasket issue.
Anyone here know how much money this is going to set me back? Just a rough idea would be great please. Is this a dealer job or a specialist job?
Also, the expansion bottle has a large pipe attached to the bottom of it thats runs into the passanger wing of the car, where does this go to?
Sat at the traffic lights i smelt boiling radiator water. Checked my temp gauge, not over heating. Next set of lights i got the same smell so pulled over and opened the bonnet. Was not overheating, and there was still water in the filler bottle. The expansion bottle was empty though and the water was all over the engine. After reading a few threads its sounds like i have a head gasket issue.
Anyone here know how much money this is going to set me back? Just a rough idea would be great please. Is this a dealer job or a specialist job?
Also, the expansion bottle has a large pipe attached to the bottom of it thats runs into the passanger wing of the car, where does this go to?
13 June 2009, 08:38 PM
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That looks to me like exactly what i just had fella. Under pressure the cars returning water to the pass bottle, then out the overflow pipe onto the floor. Took me a while to execpt its a head gaskit, i replaced everything bar this to start with.
the quote i had for a head gaskit was from a known company in poole, 17hrs @ £70ph labour plus parts. Parts being head gaskit set / skimmed heads.
Do you know any people who may do it for a bit of cash, i luckily did and gt it done for a cracking deal.
Good luck
the quote i had for a head gaskit was from a known company in poole, 17hrs @ £70ph labour plus parts. Parts being head gaskit set / skimmed heads.
Do you know any people who may do it for a bit of cash, i luckily did and gt it done for a cracking deal.
Good luck
13 June 2009, 08:48 PM
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Oh my God! Thats gonna hurt the bank. Thanks for the info chap, at least i know where i stand now. I am going to have to look for a specialist!
13 June 2009, 09:01 PM
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its worth just checking the header tank cap for a known good one. it might not be pulling the water back when the car cools.
fill the header back up with water and set the proper level in the exspansion tank and see how long it takes for the symptoms to come back.
always worth checking a £10 cap and £10 thermostat before shelling out on hg.
fill the header back up with water and set the proper level in the exspansion tank and see how long it takes for the symptoms to come back.
always worth checking a £10 cap and £10 thermostat before shelling out on hg.
13 June 2009, 09:18 PM
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You should also be seeing bubbles in the header tank at this point if its head gasket related. A cheap test for you is to run the expansion tank pipe straight from the header tank to the windscreen area by the wiper blade visible from the driver seat.
When the car is up to temp take it for a quick blast, the more load or boost you give the engine the more you should see coolant been blown out of the pipe, this will give you some idea to what degree the gasket is failing. However it’s always best to get the car tested correctly before committing yourself to an engine out job just in case there is another issue, the easier you drive the car in the mean time the better it will last and hopefully avoid further problems.
When the car is up to temp take it for a quick blast, the more load or boost you give the engine the more you should see coolant been blown out of the pipe, this will give you some idea to what degree the gasket is failing. However it’s always best to get the car tested correctly before committing yourself to an engine out job just in case there is another issue, the easier you drive the car in the mean time the better it will last and hopefully avoid further problems.
13 June 2009, 10:47 PM
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You should also be seeing bubbles in the header tank at this point if its head gasket related. A cheap test for you is to run the expansion tank pipe straight from the header tank to the windscreen area by the wiper blade visible from the driver seat.
When the car is up to temp take it for a quick blast, the more load or boost you give the engine the more you should see coolant been blown out of the pipe, this will give you some idea to what degree the gasket is failing. However it’s always best to get the car tested correctly before committing yourself to an engine out job just in case there is another issue, the easier you drive the car in the mean time the better it will last and hopefully avoid further problems.
When the car is up to temp take it for a quick blast, the more load or boost you give the engine the more you should see coolant been blown out of the pipe, this will give you some idea to what degree the gasket is failing. However it’s always best to get the car tested correctly before committing yourself to an engine out job just in case there is another issue, the easier you drive the car in the mean time the better it will last and hopefully avoid further problems.
13 June 2009, 10:49 PM
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its worth just checking the header tank cap for a known good one. it might not be pulling the water back when the car cools.
fill the header back up with water and set the proper level in the exspansion tank and see how long it takes for the symptoms to come back.
always worth checking a £10 cap and £10 thermostat before shelling out on hg.
fill the header back up with water and set the proper level in the exspansion tank and see how long it takes for the symptoms to come back.
always worth checking a £10 cap and £10 thermostat before shelling out on hg.
Will give that a go tomorrow. Sweet!
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