Can anyone advise me before I get ripped off by garage. My multipla (3 & 1/2yrs old, only done 18,000 miles) Had service & mot end November, running fine before service. Came back saying needed coolant top up, otherwise passed Mot, no big bill. Within a week light came on to say 'temperature high, engine cool'. Immediately got coolant & topped up with coolant & water mixture as per instructions. Seemed ok for week or so then light came on again. Heaters not working & fan running on a minute after stopping car. Didn't drive it over xmas, light came on again today after first outing. Discovered coolant all gone! Checked oil, no milky deposit on cap, but milky on dipstick. Is it my head gasket (help, pricey?), or maybe just leak from coolant? Any advice most welcome. Booked in local garage for Thurs, not dealership where it was serviced, suspicious they might have caused coolant leak in first place!

ok - don't drive it if at all possible until its fixed

check hoses - probably a simple leak

this just happened to my punto thought it was airlock in system.... radiator was p**sing out all over.. turned out i needed a new one ...

Thanks for replies, car in garage today, will let you know outcome, fingers crossed it's not too pricey!

Was the coolant renewed as part of the service? It'll more than likely just be the drain plug on the radiator.

Try the below procedure with the engine running:

If the coolant expansion tank is full try squeezing the radiator intake hose (should be fairly large and be located on the upper left or right of the radiator). When squeezing the hose check to see bubbles in the expansion tank. Keep following the procedure for 30 seconds. Listen carefully, if the leak is coming from one of the hoses the vaccum will force coolant or air from the offending hose.

Hi
Thanks for all your advice. Very pleased to say my wee local garage (not rip-off dealership) checked everything out. No leaks, head gasket tested negative for problems, phew! Turned out to be an airlock in the system. Everything flushed out & coolant topped up, tested twice. Now seems to be running fine. Whole lot cost me £74, not bad considering I had expected to pay over £500 for head gasket when I called dealership for advice. Note to all Multipla newbies, apparently there are a couple of valves you need to watch out for when refilling coolant, if not adjusted right can cause pressure probs & air lock apparently. Said the dealership should have filled up coolant as part of service instead of leaving it to me to do myself! Never going to dealership again, apparently since 2003 you can get your car serviced at any decent garage & warranty is still valid, don't need to go to rip-off dealerships for first 3 years.I'm out of warranty now but bearing in mind for next new car.
Rant over!