i have just got my siecento sporting and have noticed a nice little pool of oil on the drive after it had been stood for a couple of hours. the oil looks very clean but its a worry is there any know oil leak issues with the 1999 models?
what should i check first?

First sniff the oil. Determine whether its is engine or gearbag oil. Usually oil only goes down the way so look for the highest oily thing on the engine or gearbag as appropriate.

Report back here.

Cheers

D

the oil looks very clear and i think it is engine oil..but then again i have never sniffed gear box oil,,,what a sheltered life i have had

clear.. are you sure its oil, and not coolant.

Gearbox oil stinks, where as engine oil isn't so bad. Coolant will smell (and taste) slightly sweet.. assuming theres antifreeze in there like there should be!

Where abouts is the puddle appearing, look under the car and find where its dripping from as rallycinq has said - then report back and if you're not sure exactly what its leaking out of, we'll do our best to work it out!

Sniff the oil on the floor, then sniff your dipstick (ooerr missus), if it smells the same, its engine oil. The further hint that its engine oil is to look at the level on said dipstickand see if its disappearing.

Awaitng your report

Cheers

D

hi all,
i think i have found it.. it is engine oil and dripping from the bottom of the sump. the front of the sump looks like it has got some silicone sealent stuff spread over it could it have been cracked then a patch up job tried?? is it a big job to take the sump off???
i have also noticed the little thing has used 2 litres of coolent in 100 mile but there is no external leaks and it has had a new rad. fitted 9 month ago, any wise ideas on this one??

Yes sump can be fitted, its not too easy a job, but can be done with minimal swearing.

Water loss is a big sweary problem and points to a headgasket problem.

Cheers

D

just had a quick ride around to see if the water is leaking when i lifted the bonnet i can hear what sounds like hat air escaping if the water filler cap is not sealed would that let the water level drop??
i have done all the checks to see if theres water in the oil as suggested in other threads and the dip stick is clear oil, under the oil filler cap is clear oil so hopefully its not the gasket thingy ...

Hi,
Try topping the water back up and bleeding any air out of the system....

Thanks
Paul T

As Paul says, top it up and possibly invest a small sum in a new cap, just in case the cap is popping early.

However, a head gasket can go in several ways, one of which is where the break occurs between a cylinder and a water way. This will increase the pressure in the water system blowing water out, but will not add water to the engine oil.

Cheers

D

the latest update on my poor little cars water problem...
i tried the new radiator cap and it did slow down the water usage but afterdriving for a while i can still hear hissing from the cap and its still using water up (about 1 litre in 2 days). the oil got changed and theres no sign of water in it, the fan sounds like it comes on and i dont see a red warning light any more ideas??
what would a new water valve thingy do??

rubydoo said:

the latest update on my poor little cars water problem...
i tried the new radiator cap and it did slow down the water usage but afterdriving for a while i can still hear hissing from the cap and its still using water up (about 1 litre in 2 days). the oil got changed and theres no sign of water in it, the fan sounds like it comes on and i dont see a red warning light any more ideas??
what would a new water valve thingy do??

Click to expand...

Hi,
Did you bleed the air out first......?

Thanks
Paul T

how would i bleed the air out? is there a valve like a house rad?
as you may have guessed its my 1st car..

there are two valves. one is on the end of a pipe and comes out the drivers side inner wing. the other is on the end of a pipe and comes out from the firewall, slightly off to one side near the battery

hi ya again,
i have bled the system but very little air came out just lots of hot water when i undid the tap too much...ouch hot water!!!

is the next move to change the thermostat? if so where is it amongst the engine bits??

atleast im learning a lot

Before having a go at the thermostat, how long, from cold, does it take for the water to start bubbling in the tank?

Cheers

D

rallycinq said:

However, a head gasket can go in several ways, one of which is where the break occurs between a cylinder and a water way. This will increase the pressure in the water system blowing water out, but will not add water to the engine oil.

Cheers

D

Click to expand...

you were right, i ended up taking my car back to the garage and they found out the head gasket was gone and letting water escape into the exhaust system... its been fixed now.
thanks for your help, im sure there will be more questions as time goes on..