Car using to much water. MK3 VR6 SC

[Oldirtybastard 0]

Hello guys,

I have a mk3 vr6. SC if it makes any difference.

Im finding that the car uses to much water. The coolant bottle will get low if i do a long journey of say 150-200 miles. Sometimes even shorter journeys

Any idea of what it could be. Its done it since ive had it and its never bothered me but dont want to leave it untouched incase it gets worse.

It used to have a leak from the 3 way pipe that comes from engine into the radiator but i replaced this.

Im thinking Water pump or any other ideas please?

T

[Oldirtybastard 0]

Just to note the car hardly uses any oil.

T

[cabrioman 6]

get a pressure test done that should tell u if u got any external leaks ....

[xyber 1]

Flatten a cardboard box and park on it over night after going for a long drive, in the morn if there are any little leaks they will show on the box and give you a rough idea where to start looking

Check the condition of all the water hoses aswell, if they are old they could have become porous which may allow water to evapourate through but would go un-noticed

[Oldirtybastard 0]

It appears to be leaking from the expansion tank as checked today and lots of coolant spillage.

Any idea why it would come out from expansion tank?

T

[thegoth 5]

what colour cap have you got. the older black ones are notorious for failing and leaking.

[Oldirtybastard 0]

Its a neauspeed chrome one, i think its blue inside.

T

[jesterwalker69 0]

I got a new coolant tank, new BLUE cap AND new hoses and i'm still loosing coolant on long journeys! Grrrr

[TheMainManRob 0]

I'm also suffering from coolant loss, fitted new Samco's and checked both rads ( cabin and cooler ) for leaks but no joy. My water has gone rusty brown again even after a major flushing so I have a snneky suspicion that the previous owner has not been using the right antifreeze and has fluffed the head gasket. Its been replaced once already at 30.000 miles.

[Oldirtybastard 0]

Just wondering, could this be needing a new head gasket or even heater matrix. No problems with car heating up.

T

[parkersdub 0]

I had this problem and it was found to be a pin prick leak from the plastic y piece pipe. I replaced tis with an aftermarket alluminium one which was £35 on ebay and it solved problem. Plastic vag part was about £50. When get chance will post a pic of the part as its hard to explain where it is

[TheMainManRob 0]

I think I know the bit you mean, Gruvenparts makes them. So the best bet is to get a pressure test done? Can any garage do this ( if they have the equipment ) or is it VW stealer only?

[Oldirtybastard 0]

I think most decent garages can do a pressure test. Thats probably best thing to try first. Might try a standard blue cap also.

T

[NicDale 0]

I found i had a tiny leak from the thermostat housing which eventually got worse and worse until it started pissing coolant out.

Notorious weak point on all VR's and hard to pick up.

[Oldirtybastard 0]

Noticed the car has got to much mayo under the oil cap. what does this mean. Top end rebuild?

Recently doesnt seem to be running right, bit slugglish compared to usual. A bit hesitant, The Induction pipe going to the supercharger has come off twice in last 2 days also,

T