koalar said:

Interesting

I didn't suggest not checking the coolant level. Only that you should stop the car if the engine check light comes on?

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That should be a given in any car. You might get an earlier warning if the heater stops blowing warm air when it's supposed to; again, you should stop the car if that happens.

The problem with the panda is that the HG usually fails before the engine check light comes on, made worse by the fact that they very often develop coolant leaks as they get older.

You're quite right in saying it's important to change the coolant regularly; loss of corrosion protection will quickly lead to a leaky radiator. The Panda radiator is only just about fit for purpose when it's new.

jrkitching said:

The Panda radiator is only just about fit for purpose when it's new.

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so my 14 year old leak tight one is barely worth having

I've seen some VERY strange comments on here in the last week,
I'll blame the dark (K)nights

Got car back a few days ago. The plastic pipe on the thermostat and the housing was pissing away all the coolant.

New thermostat and housing has sorted it. Car is fine now.

HannsG said:

Got car back a few days ago. The plastic pipe on the thermostat and the housing was pissing away all the coolant.

New thermostat and housing has sorted it. Car is fine now.

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Thanks for the update. always nice to see an out come good or bad. So many threads just go dead.

Will help others. One more thing to keep an eye on if you have the 1.4

This was a very common fault on the Corsa B they changed the design from plastic to brass. Surprised manufactures still use plastic here.

A point we've forgotten to mention is the steel pipe across the front of the engine under the exhaust manifold. It's hidden away and rusts so is a source of leaks. Any older car will have rust on that pipe. It may not demand a new pipe but the part should be properly de-rusted and painted.

koalar said:

Thanks for the update. always nice to see an out come good or bad. So many threads just go dead.

Will help others. One more thing to keep an eye on if you have the 1.4

This was a very common fault on the Corsa B they changed the design from plastic to brass. Surprised manufactures still use plastic here.

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The garage were of the same opinion. It's guaranteed to fail at some point.

I'm a fan of cross linked PE. tough and temperature resistant to over over 100C. But it will soften and fail if taken much higher.

Previously zinc die casts have been used for things like thermostat housings. It's brittle stuff and not exempt from corrosion especially if the coolant has not been serviced properly.

DaveMcT said:

I'm a fan of cross linked PE. tough and temperature resistant to over over 100C. But it will soften and fail if taken much higher.

Previously zinc die casts have been used for things like thermostat housings. It's brittle stuff and not exempt from corrosion especially if the coolant has not been serviced properly.

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Zinc diecastings generally do not age well; any imperfections in the alloy can cause microcrystalline corrosion and eventually the part just disintegrates all by itself. Thin sections and sharp corners are particularly vulnerable.

Remember the diecast wheels on old hornby trains?

jrkitching said:

Remember the diecast wheels on old hornby trains?

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And old carburettor bodies.