2001 Punto 1.2 8v ELX

I just had new valves, head gasket and water pump replaced but notice this green fluid leaking out. I sent the photos to the mechanic and he said something about the waterpump, I did not however understand all his German so any explanation will be appreciated.

The green fluid is the antifreeze, just changed it today on the wifes. Maybe the water pump didnt seal properly.

DasArab said:

The green fluid is the antifreeze, just changed it today on the wifes. Maybe the water pump didnt seal properly.

Click to expand...

Thank you but antifreeze from where? What is dripping out is thick like oil. So how is it related to the water pump and what am I seeing exactly?

Looks more like some form of sealant, mite have just been left over from the pump change, is it still dropping out?

thelad said:

Looks more like some form of sealant, mite have just been left over from the pump change, is it still dropping out?

Click to expand...

For 3 days since I noticed it, it has been dripping, it was only repaired 5 days ago. I took the photos within 5 minutes after getting home and there were 2 drops. Couple of hours later there were a good lot more and it seems to stop when the engine is cooled down but cannot be sure of that.
Too much sealant it seems to me, now 3 patches on my driveway that will not go away.

Anti-freeze isn't a "water like" as water
its a little bit thicker

I'd be tempted to say its Anti-freeze as well, but if its like a Glue then its sealant

Anti-freeze Will smear on the Carboard
Sealant will just move around

When you look at the 2nd picture, you can see Just below the Bolt
There is a Flat surface with a Green Tinge to it
I'd be tempted to say its a leaking Water pump - which is a pain to redo as the Cambelt will have to come off again!
But thats the mechanic's problem - shouldnt charge you as he didnt do it properly to start with

Ziggy

Ziggy122 said:

Anti-freeze isn't a "water like" as water
its a little bit thicker

I'd be tempted to say its Anti-freeze as well, but if its like a Glue then its sealant

Anti-freeze Will smear on the Carboard
Sealant will just move around

When you look at the 2nd picture, you can see Just below the Bolt
There is a Flat surface with a Green Tinge to it
I'd be tempted to say its a leaking Water pump - which is a pain to redo as the Cambelt will have to come off again!
But thats the mechanic's problem - shouldnt charge you as he didnt do it properly to start with

Ziggy

Click to expand...

Thank you Ziggy, I think you nailed it there, I did not even notice the green smear on the flat surface and it is not something you would notice with just eyeing it out, it can be dark in there even in the daytime.
Anyway I was quoted €900 plus just for the work and that was things they did not see. Mechanic is a family friend, he did not want the pay for his work but we handed him €100 anyway and he will come to fix it when he can, the sooner the better I suppose.
I am still however a bit confused, if the is antifreeze then it should be mixed with the water in the cooling system, so why does it appear thicker than water?
My water level is still fine as I check it everyday, before and after driving, so why does this liquid thicker?

The normal technique is to put in 2 litres of neat antifreeze and top up with water. Some old coolant/water always gets trapped in the system so this makes sure the resulting mixture is at least 50% antifreeze.

Neat antifreeze will end up down at the lowest level with the water pump. So my guess as its not mixed the pump isn't pumping properly and the engine should not be used until the problem is sorted out.

The water rail (coolant pipe across the front of the engine) is another source of coolant leaks but the same issue regarding the coolant mixing.

WhiteSei said:

The normal technique is to put in 2 litres of neat antifreeze and top up with water. Some old coolant/water always gets trapped in the system so this makes sure the resulting mixture is at least 50% antifreeze.

Neat antifreeze will end up down at the lowest level with the water pump. So my guess as its not mixed the pump isn't pumping properly and the engine should not be used until the problem is sorted out.

The water rail (coolant pipe across the front of the engine) is another source of coolant leaks but the same issue regarding the coolant mixing.

Click to expand...

It is a new pump and there are now no problems with overheating which was previously the biggest problem with the car, it was overheating after a few kilometres and was likely the eventual demise of the valves etc. Not sure how that connects though.
So if it is not overheating then what might be a major problem?

The leak may be the water rail pipe which has an O-ring seal into the pump. Its an easy fix so don't get stung for a big labour bill.

As the pump is new I cant explain why the coolant is so thick**. Just check the level before every drive and stop immediately if it starts to get too hot.

**On 2nd thoughts, you are presumably in Germany where the winter spec is 100% antifreeze. Scratch all the pump stuff - its probably the coolant rail leaking.

WhiteSei said:

The leak may be the water rail pipe which has an O-ring seal into the pump. Its an easy fix so don't get stung for a big labour bill.

As the pump is new I cant explain why the coolant is so thick**. Just check the level before every drive and stop immediately if it starts to get too hot.

**On 2nd thoughts, you are presumably in Germany where the winter spec is 100% antifreeze. Scratch all the pump stuff - its probably the coolant rail leaking.

Click to expand...

Austria actually but close enough , there is water in the system but will check with the mechanic at what mix he put in. Now just need to check what the coolant rail is and how to check it

Stealth123 said:

Austria actually but close enough , there is water in the system but will check with the mechanic at what mix he put in. Now just need to check what the coolant rail is and how to check it

Click to expand...

The Coolant Rail is the Tube That sits literally infront of the engine oppersite the water pump

here is a guide of it - not read it tho

this guide is handy locating everything on your 8v engine


Ziggy