P1Fanatic

2000 / X Reg
60k miles
16v 1.6 SXI Petrol

Drove to Milton Keynes the other day and heater stopped blowing warm air. Then engine temp rose into the red. Pulled over only to find a mouthful of coolant in the reservoir. Nipped into Sainsburys and found some cheap stuff. Filled it up with 1ltr coolant/antifreeze 2 ltrs water. Started her up and seems fine for 15 mins idling at normally temp. No visible leaks or further loss of coolant. Drove around 15 mins same thing. Left in car park for 4 hrs came back and coolant level still fine.

Drove back from MK which is approx 80 miles. No problems and engine temp fine. Checked coolant level when I got back and still all good. Car has been on the drive last 2 days. Checked this morning and lo and behold coolant has all gone again. Cant see if its leaked on drive as really damp due to snow.

Have got it booked in to local garage tomorrow to get it checked out - they suggested pressure test, flush and refill.

Before I take it in does anyone have any suggestions as to what it could be? Someone at work said head gasket - Im not mechanical at all but always thought if that went then the coolant mixes with the oil and you get the telltale white smoke from your exhaust which Im not seeing?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Simon

TopBanana

Could well be the head gasket, or perhaps a leak somewhere.

GrantyBoy

Top Banana = Top Advice

Matteeboy

Some mk5s have been recalled for a radiator hose problem - Rubbing on the radiator and wearing it through.
Probably not the same though but I lost a wee bit of coolant and am having it sorted on Wednesday.

TopBanana

Well, I do try

Pretty hard to diagnose mechanical problems online though... bit like when people ask for medical advice on here

P1Fanatic

I think it is the head gasket. Checked the dipstick just now and the telltale capuccino mush was present. Nice. Seems like £300-400 is around the norm to get that replaced if I havent knackered anything else in the process.

Gotta laugh as bloke at work just bought an Astra after I told him Id had no problems with mine. He must have jinxed me the git.

Simon

P1Fanatic

Oh joy Garage just confirmed it and its blown quite badly. They will strip it on Monday and assess the damage and see if the heads need skimming. Aint gonna be cheap either way.

On the flip side works been calling me all night so thats a crap load of overtime which pretty much covers it. Still would rather be spending it on something else.

Should have taken my own advice and bought jap or german.

Simon

Shark Man

Just to annoy you; a leak elsewhere could have caused to run low on coolant, and because of the lack of coolant it blew the headgasket due to overheating.

It sucks dunnit?