Coolant Leaks

zhangj5

Hello everyone! Hope someone can help me about my car's Coolant Leaks problem.

I have a 03 Opel Vector 1.8, The coolant level drops every 4-5 weeks since timing belt was replaced in March at main dealer. I thought the problem is caused by water pump was not fitted properly, and went back to check it.
However, i was told the head gasket need to be changed and will cost euro 1500.

To be honest, i donot know should i trust them or not and 1500 is really to heavy.

Any opinions? is it the right price? i know i have to fix it anyway, does anyone know a better garage which has more resonable price in Dublin?

Thanks!!!!

zhangj5

And , car temperature is just under 90.

zhangj5

Maybe i have to pay 1500 to fix it.

crosstownk

Open the oil filler cap and look at the underside - does it have scummy substance stuck to it that looks like dodgy mayonnaise?

It might be an idea to have the cooling system pressure tested to determine if there is a leak. If the water pump was replaced at the same time as the timing belt then maybe there is a small weep from the pump/block seal.

mickdw

Its odd that its only happening after the work as done. Maybe they ****ed up the water pump somehow and is now leaking. any drop at all before work was done?

DublinDilbert

Definitely get a second opinion..... The chemical tests that check the coolant for traces of combustion gasses aren't very accurate at all....

If the coolant is dropping every 4 to 5 weeks i say you have a small leak somewhere....

It could even be as simple as the rad cap venting too early under pressure...

If you can get / make a coolant pressure tester, do a pressure test on the system, and see if you can spot a leak...

Run_to_da_hills

Open the radiator cap and break an egg into the water system. It should cure the problem.

zhangj5

mickdw wrote: »

Its odd that its only happening after the work as done. Maybe they ****ed up the water pump somehow and is now leaking. any drop at all before work was done?

Thanks for all replys,
Car was fine before changing Timing Belt kit, i had asked them is there a possibility that the water pump was't fitted properly, they said it is not because of the water pump that was done by them.
To be honest, i donot know much about cars, and I am not going to pay 1500 to fix it.
So i maybe need to find a good garage and get it checked again.

zhangj5

crosstownk wrote: »

Open the oil filler cap and look at the underside - does it have scummy substance stuck to it that looks like dodgy mayonnaise?

It might be an idea to have the cooling system pressure tested to determine if there is a leak. If the water pump was replaced at the same time as the timing belt then maybe there is a small weep from the pump/block seal.

The oil cap is clean, and there is no white smokes from exhaust..

zhangj5

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Open the radiator cap and break an egg into the water system. It should cure the problem.

this is a really cheap solution.:D

DublinDilbert

i'd be looking for a small coolant leak for sure....

Just cause the water pump was done by them, doesn't mean its not leaking! No matter how good of a garage they are, the water pump they fitted could of been faulty (or developed a fault/leak)...

I'd get it checked by someone else ASAP.... a bearing failing in a water pump can easily lead to the timing belt breaking...

zhangj5

Thanks for all your helps,
just had a pressure test and spot the leaking which is near head gasket, fixed it as little as 60 euro.
Hope problem can be solved, however i do not know should i trust dealer or not anymore if it is.