Sics Consolidated Faded Moderns Thread - 2006 Golf Mk5 GTI & 2004 BMW Z4 2.2

[Hooli]

Oh & as it's all in yankish, it'd be seynsaw delete too.

[LynehamHerc]

I don't think that I've ever used the word dude, even when I had long hair, never mind 'that's today not cool'.

[SiC]

Coolant level hasn't dropped since last night. It was just below the plastic pin sticking down. If anything, I think it's risen a tad as it's cooled off. So almost certainly leaking when under pressure.

I'm also pleased it's not leaking when sat as it means I don't have to rush to fix. Last thing I want is this car to poison either my or any other cats/animals that live around here. 


The tank is pretty skanky and dirty. 


Cap looks absolutely fine though. When I removed it last night, it let out pressure. So definitely is sealing to some degree. But it's hard to judge the caps holding full pressure just from looking at it.

 
If the cap is letting coolant escape then it goes down the side of the tank and I believe ends up running into this chassis leg section. It's almost dry now so it'll be interesting to see if it gets wet after a run. Now it will get wet to a certain degree as the level is now over maximum and I fully expect the tank to find it's own level even if in working order.


It could also be that the tank has a split in it. Not unlikely but I'd be surprised if it's suddenly happened when I've touched other parts of the cooling system and only the lid of this tank. 

If it's not the tank then it's going to be a pain in the arse to find this leak. Given the vapour is coming from this side of the engine bay, I can only imagine it's either the pipe(s) I've disturbed or this tank. Could be the water pump suddenly failing but I think that's unlikely given the above. At least I hope it is otherwise I'll be doing a cambelt job sooner

[Hooli]

I am impressed with your ability to once again buy a working car & break it within hours.

[SiC]

Any suggestions on ways I can find it are welcome. 

You've reminded me that I need to buy some caps.


6082361439_bf02c4b4df_c.jpg

6082906418_b6801cb8f9_c.jpg


I have this pressure/vacuum pump for Variomatic vacuum system troubleshooting. What I don't have (yet) are a selection of caps to fit different brands so I can pressurise cooling systems to test/find leaks. You know, like the ones that aren't bleeding obvious and only shown up when up to temp/pressure.

I've been contemplating getting one of them a while back. They're quite expensive even the cheap sets though.

If I bought this when I was looking at it this morning, it'd have arrived by this evening. I've just ordered it now though so it should be delivered by the time I get a chance to work on it tomorrow. I guess it's a useful tool that I'll use a bit in the future for both pressure testing and filling cooling systems that are being awkward. 

https://amzn.eu/d/4ddbstK

I've also ordered a new Febi tank and cap. Just under £20 on Amazon to arrive tomorrow too. At this rate the whole car will be basically made by Febi

If it's not the tank or cap then at least Amazon should be easy enough to return it. 

[SiC]

I am impressed with your ability to once again buy a working car & break it within hours.

It's just one of those things where you start touching bits and they suddenly fail. Even bits that you haven't touched decide to fail just after you even just looked at it. I'm sure the professionals on here have this bollocks happening all the time.

C'est la vie.


(I guess I'm not allowed to say those words on here either...)

[Hooli]

I am impressed with your ability to once again buy a working car & break it within hours.

It's just one of those things where you start touching bits and they suddenly fail. Even bits that you haven't touched decide to fail just after you even just looked at it. I'm sure the professionals on here have this bollocks happening all the time.

C'est la vie.


(I guess I'm not allowed to say those words on here either...)

Yeah I know the feeling about stuff breaking when you even dare to look at it.

I touched a none leaking petrol hose on the Hornet I've got got once, it just crumbed into a pile of bits over the back of the engine. How it'd never burst when running I've no idea.

[SiC]

This is good as the thermostat is a nightmare on these to change. Also a good indication again that someone has spent money on this car as ime thermostats most people don't realise or notice need doing.

Faaaaaark!


Thermostat housing looks to have a crack in it. My new toy found it within seconds once I built up a few psi of pressure.

Apparently a common issue especially with aftermarket units. I might go to a dealer and try getting a genuine. 

[Eddie Honda]

My new toy found it within seconds once I built up a few psi of pressure. 

Liked for this. Not the leak.

When I was doing the Variomatic I found a blemish on one of the primary unit diaphragms. Despite the unit having come into Ireland's premier Variomatic specialists™ with new diaphragms, the last one to be dicking around with it obviously had a screwdriver slip or something stabbing a tiny hole in it. Patched it with a bicycle puncture repair kit.

It would have been a lot harder to trace if I didn't have a vacuum pump to see the gradual drop on the gauge.

[SiC]

It's definitely a lot easier to pressurise the system when cold and off. My ear was a very effective tool in pin pointing better the area to look. Then my eyes could take over. When hot, the coolant is simply spraying onto the hot engine and then instantly turning to steam, making it very hard to see.

I'm wondering if it's the housing has cracked or if someone who did this last didn't replace one of the o-rings into the housing. A good selection of o-rings is something else I need to top up. Mostly ones safe for coolant and a set for fuels too.