Have a problem with my wife\'s Corsa

[johnf]

I know it\'s not rotary but does anyone have any ideas about the issues below.

I have an \'06\' Corsa 1.2 twinspark xsi+, been in the family from new used now by my wife. 74k miles.

I have an ongoing water issue as detailed below that I hope someone could advise me on.

It uses water, have to top up the header every week but it doesn\'t have a visible leak.

Thought about head gasket, there is a little emulsion on the oil filler cap but as it only does short trips was told this wasn\'t uncommon.

The heater is very poor.

Even when the running temp goes just over 80 the fan still hasn\'t cut in.

When my son had it he changed the header tank cap, didn\'t make any difference.

The water gets hot so I have circulation.

That\'s it, tried to include everything in the hope it may give an explanation.



Thanks

[Grant Monkhouse]

Bad thermostat? If its using water and no leaks I would have definately gone with head gasket, even it\'s just a small leak.

[clive]

If its using water and no leaks I would have definately gone with head gasket, even it\'s just a small leak.

I would go with this, but as you have said it\'s only slight ATM get a bottle of K-Seal in it ASAP and it should solve it for good :cool

[Steve-x-edge]

The easiest way to check for HG failure is to get a leak down test done on the engine, if you do a leak down test with the coolant filler cap open, and your head gasket is to blame, you should see bubbles.

Steve

[johnf]

Would this explain the poor heater and I would have thought the fan should kick in at a temp of 80.

[Steve-x-edge]

My misses has a 1.2 corsa, Its older then yours (99) and the fan kicks in at 100 when sat in traffic.

[jetpilot]

Would this explain the poor heater and I would have thought the fan should kick in at a temp of 80.

When my mums 309 (long time ago) head gasket went this was also a sympton, no hot air through the heater!

[Grizzly]

First off warm the car up and check the rad is getting warm. (Classic Thermostat, would also explain the no fans and slight water loss but not the Matrix)

If it still has the original Antifreeze in i know from first hand experience working at Vauxhall it stinks when burnt and it kind of stings the back of your nose like its running mega rich.

Another thing you can do is smell the air in the header tank, give it a good run, let it cool then start it, whilst still cold remove the cap and smell. If the head gasket is goosed you will get a fuel or exhaust gas smell. If you took it to a garage they would do this properly with a sniffer kit but if the gasket has gone and using water its usually strong enough to smell.

The next port of call would be the Matrix, they have been known to randomly just start leaking as allot of them have plastic tanks, do the usall carpet wet test.

Then have a look at the Water pump (i\'d say highest probability tbh), first with the engine running listen to it for any odd noises (when they start to leak they go noisy) then with the engine off have a good look at the bottom of the pump and just under the bottom of the pulley for moisture if it has Antifreeze in you may see a Orange mark where the Coolant has leaked out and dried on (pumps going are really common too) you can also remove the Belt and feel the pump bearing for movement (there should be none at all)

Last if all that is ok, with Caution in mind (be careful) let the engine warm up for a few mins then put a towel over the header tank and SLOWLY!! unscrew the cap, it is a screw on safety cap so it will turn say half a turn then hiss at you, if you can unscrew it right off without it Hissing at you you have a split pipe or damaged pipe clip.

The main thing to remember if you have OE Antifreeze in it they put dye in so if there is a leak it will leave a trace so if the Coolant is orange then keep an eye out even if its dried up. Also The Mayo on the cap is quite common at this time of year.

[johnf]

I\'ve topped the water up that much there is no antifreeze in it.

With the cold snap due that\'s why I thought I\'d better try and sort it out.

I\'ve had it running with the filler cap off and there are bubbles, I thought this just the air finding it\'s way out.

Does this now point to the hg?

[Grizzly]

Smell the air that\'s coming out of the bubbles. Not a grantee its the HG but there is a good chance.

I was told another one to try but sounds like a mith to me

Get the engine really hot so there is pressure in the pipes then turn it off and wip the plugs out quick, if you see steam rising from a plug hole for a few seconds whilst the pipes are still under pressure thats HG.

[m1tch]

Just found on here:

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/index.php?threads/corsa-1-2-water-head-gasket.175777/

Might be the fact the HG is quite thin and can therefore leak

[Grizzly]

On the bright side there an easy one to do. I can lend you the Cam lock/Timing kit if you want.

[L18M]

cant really help but i have a nice micra in perfect running order for sale :p