Possible Water Leak????

[marcusd666]

Hi All, just have a couple of questions about my FD here is what went on sorry for the long post.

Went for a drive last Sunday out to the Wirral and had to fill up with some fuel and noticed that there was a run of water coming from under the front of the car. I did not think much of it at first think that it must have been there before I pulled in, Checked my water level when we got to the where we was going and looked ok on the expansion tank above the F and about 3 inches down the filler neck compared to the mount that was on the forecourt no where near as much ?

When we pulled off to come home I noticed that there was a small puddle and a run where I pulled from which looked like it came from the under tray. When I got home I checked the levels again and looked under the car no puddle, water level about an inch from the top of the filler cap and the expansion tank level above the F.

Today I jacked the front up and dropped the under tray and noticed that there was some puddles and water collecting in it. I ran the engine for about 40 to 45 minutes fans coming on and off had a good look around the hoses to and from the rad, engine, ast and both caps no signs of a leak. I stopped the engine for about 10 minutes like at the filling station fired started her up checked around again no leaks, no vapour from the caps either.

The only thing I noticed was that on the bottom rad hose it look like some fluid or glue coming out of the end of the hose (see picture) I tried to squeeze it out but nothing coming out. If you zoom in to the end of the hose can see what I am on about.

From https://picasaweb.google.com/marcusdale666/OurCarPictures?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite]Our Car Pictures[/URL]

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pEZg2RRAErG6iTKMh0IMRNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite][/URL]

From https://picasaweb.google.com/marcusdale666/OurCarPictures?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite]Our Car Pictures[/URL]

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H54XJoI_l1eWgBuO4z-LlNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite][/URL]

From https://picasaweb.google.com/marcusdale666/OurCarPictures?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite]Our Car Pictures[/URL]

So I am at a loss now where to look? do you think with all the rain we have had that it has collected in the under tray and going for a drive and stopping on an angle the water has ran off the tray?

Also looking at the other hose ends do you think that they are looking past it?

Cheers guys for any advice you can help with the strange problem.
Can\'t believe it has happened 16 days before Rotorstock.

[wolfie1]

personally i think that is just corrosion buildup, see when you were out the other day, did you have the air con on? that will give you a puddle under your car

[cyman]

best thing to do is make sure everything is dry underneath the car and in the engine bay then run the car up to temp whilst parked in the same spot get it so the fans cut in that way the system will be pressurised and it will start to leak from wherever its comming from then hunt for it. i notice you are running standard rad they do have a habit to get hairline cracks in the plastic housings which can wheep but be very difficult to spot so make sure you check there if you cant find anything else obvious

[marcusd666]

personally i think that is just corrosion buildup, see when you were out the other day, did you have the air con on? that will give you a puddle under your car

No the air con was off.

[marcusd666]

best thing to do is make sure everything is dry underneath the car and in the engine bay then run the car up to temp whilst parked in the same spot get it so the fans cut in that way the system will be pressurised and it will start to leak from wherever its comming from then hunt for it. i notice you are running standard rad they do have a habit to get hairline cracks in the plastic housings which can wheep but be very difficult to spot so make sure you check there if you cant find anything else obvious

That\'s what I did today the fans came on about 6 to 8 time during the time that I was looking around and could not see any leaks ? The rad looked dry all round as well?

[cyman]

That\'s what I did today the fans came on about 6 to 8 time during the time that I was looking around and could not see any leaks ? The rad looked dry all round as well?

 
then run it up on the drive making sure its dry then go for a blast giving it some welly and get it all nice and hot then get back on the drive leav it running and pop the bonnet and take a look. if no sign then it was something else. not engine or water leak related. as was mentioned above the only other thing that leaks water underneath is the air con but if you are 100% sure it wasnt that then it counts it out.

[marcusd666]

Will go for a blast late and see what happens.

Thanks for the replys...

[marcusd666]

Well the weather dried up today so went for a drive. Before I went I checked the under tray and there was some water pooling in some of the reassess checked that water level and was fine.

The drive lasted about 30 minutes and will being stuck in traffic as well so fans coming in and out and the engine well up to temperature. Got home and checked the under tray and we dry water level ok as well.

So it looks like that the water was pooling on the under tray from the rain we have had. Figures crossed that all is what it was but I think I will change the water hoses over the winter to be on the safe side.