Hi,

Really after some advice, but i'll try to keep this short.

Had my thermostat changed about a month ago with one I purchased off ebay (big mistake)! Turned out I didnt have a faulty thermostat, but was my water pump, so long with changing the waterpump they replaced my cam belt at the same time as it was due.

Week later driving along and lots of steam coming from under bonnet. Called out recovery who advised the thermostat had broken causing coolant to be sprayed everywhere. Towed to garage and they ordered me a theromstat and replaced it.

A week later noticed my coolant was very low, so bought some and topped it up. Few days later it has dropped a bit so took it back to the garage. They tested it all and said it was a loose jubliee clip.

Week later, noticed again my coolant was running low. Took it back and only just got it back today after 3 days of testing. This is what ive been told.

My car has a problem with the pressure. As soon as they fix one leak, another one somewhere else starts up. Theres also quite a thick pipe leading into the engine, they said that it is absolutely rock solid when it shouldn't be.

They believe it might be the start of the head gasket going. For the time being they have put some special formular in that is supposed to stop leaks, but ive been advised for the time being to keep checking on the coolant.

There advise is to look at trading it in somewhere before its too late.

Any help/tips advice greatly appreciated. My car is a 56 plate GP 1.9 Sport

Just got back from a very helpful garage that also deal with head gaskets.

Said this was the first time they had heard of a possible head gasket going on this engine. Carried out a block test which it passed.

Carried out a pressure test at 15 - coolant came gushing out from around the side of the thermostat. They believe its the thermostat gasket, whether the one in currently in there is damaged or whether it actually has one in. Its a dealership only part so they have ordered one in.

Taking it back Friday for them to fit in when it arrives - £65. Fingers crossed that will actually be what the problem is, and it does actually sound pretty plausible.

Got the thermostat changed about a week ago and car has been running fine. Was the thermostat gasket that was knackered. Coolant level hasn't gone down at all.

However noticed there is still a slight water leak underneath, however my coolant level hasn't dropped one bit.

Any ideas what this could be?

Does your car have air conditioning? If so, it might not be coolant that you can see udner the car, it might be condensation. If not, all you can do is feel round the bottom of all the hose joints when the engine is cold and see if your finger comes up wet on any of them. It's amazing how much water you need to see udner the car before it becomes noticeable as a drop in the expansion bottle.


Also check your oil. Is there any white scum in it or is the oil level rising?

Thanks for the reply.

Im putting it down to the air conditioning as the drip is intermittent. I usually always have my air con on, however never really had cause to look under the car before, so this is the likely issue.