Drove it back (gingerly) an hour down the road last night. Odometer is approx 75,000 miles/ 120,000km, no other issues to my untrained eye whilst driving down/
Lots of coolant was lost on the drive/ overnight. Fluid was dripping under the driver side, below the expansion tank, and from the driver-side wheel arch.
Topped up fluid and started this morning. Big belt squeal, which wasn’t present when viewing or test driving. My first thought was water pump leak/ failure? have yet to start taking stuff off, but didn’t see any record of pump replacement.
If there are any guides for diagnosing coolant leaks on here that people can link me to, would be very much appreciated. I’ve seen lots of posts up, so it seems like quite a common issue.
Regarding the coolant leak if it’s driver’s side look at all the radiator hoses - the lower one especially as that is close to the areas you described.
The water pump is on the passenger side - if you’re changing this do a full timing belt service- can certainly save you a lot of headache later - especially if no evidence of it ever being done.
Just a final comment- perhaps start a new thread in the general or technical sections of the forum as now you have the car you’re no longer a newbie
Hi nice purchase there,regarding the leak if its below the expansion tank it could be the expansion tank itself as there is a rubber seal underneath and could have perished,radiator hoses then potentially the heater hoses or the throttle body too the hoses that come out the thermostat housing the fittings are metal and rust over time and leak,best is to remove the battery and tray remove the maf and the y pipe and intake hoses for a better view
Well done @luke3, car looks a beaut. I think you really bought that colour to match the house, only joking mate, enjoy and hope its a quick fix for the water leak.
