Guest MrsP Posted August 22, 2006 heres my problem... Called the aa out as my car had water running out from under the bonnet, they tested it etc and said it was a knackered water pump, had it taken to a garage we use but they were away on hols so the next door garage fixed it for us, so we had a new water pump fitted and app while they are there its standard to change the timing belt. Took the car away and it was still running water out from some where so took it back to the garage, this time they said the thermostat had gone and it was not related to the previous problem. Thing is this - the problem is still there and its over heating every time i put my foot on the accelerator. Its going back to garage tomorrow but i think they are taking the p**s now so far it has cost me an arm and a leg. Any advice on what this could be? and if this sounds like i am being ripped? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 242 3 Cars Posted August 23, 2006 I think they are taking the P***. Timing belt is usual with a water pump so thats no bad thing but how a broken thermostat would cause a water leak is beyond me. It could the the thermostat is stuck closed which would explain why it is over heating but they are less than £10 & at most a hours labour to fit. If you can wait until your normal garage comes back from holiday it might save you some cash but if it is still leaking, fill it up & run it for a few minutes whilst trying to see where the water is leaking from. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard 0 Posted August 23, 2006 Have a look in the XU section. There are numerous posts about overheating. Common problems are blocked radiator, faulty thermostat, waterpump failure, thermostat loom failure, over filling or fluid mixture %....and of course the Head Gasket. The head gasket test is probably the easiest and most immediate answer. I'd suggest you take it to another garage if cant wait. Get them to do a 'sniff test' where they put the exhaust meter into the expansion tank. If you have emissions in there then your head gasket is very likely leaking. Pressurising the coolant system and ejecting water out of the weakest point once the water movement has stopped. (ie when the pump stops) Hope that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trickywoo 0 Posted August 23, 2006 You say water is running out. Can you see it on the ground or is it just that the level is dropping? If the level is dropping then its going to be the head gasket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildejon 7 Posted August 23, 2006 Ive just had something similar on mine, turns out it was a tiny hole in the radiator (I think, it was certainly spraying out under pressure)combined with the lower hose (attaches to the bottom of the rad on the drives side) bring a bit knackered. Replaced these and all is pretty much hunky dory again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard 0 Posted August 23, 2006 Also, if its leaking from the o/s of the car it could be the infamous metal pipe. This corrodes and leaks. About £12 from pug iirc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrsP Posted August 23, 2006 hi all thanks for your reply, I was told by the aa that it was not the head gasket they did some test with blue fluid. I took it back to the garage and they "looked" at and they dont know it is fixed or not was just told to check the water level every morn before i drive it. Fingers crossed the water is not pouring out now (it was the passanger side, everytime i stoped there was a river down the street lol) and it seems to be ok. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pugrallye 0 Posted August 23, 2006 (edited) sounds like a stuck thermostat causing header tank to boil over, i suppose in a hurry could be mistaken for a failing water pump, but AA should have flow tested the pump ideally, sounds like they used UV dye to check head gasket integrity, so must be all okay IF water pump had failed, it is not uncommon for overheating of the block to cause thermostat to sieze up, I suppose in an ideal world this would have been noted as they were running car up to operating temp bleeding coolant through. From the garages point of view all they have done is repaired a previous diagnosis, then when been authorised to diagnose by you, they have found the fault, so dont really feel they were intentionally ripping you off Edited August 23, 2006 by pugrallye Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
