My Punto HGT has developed a water leak. Oh joy :-(

I noticed a slight drop in the water level a couple of weeks ago but not enough to be sure. Topped up and carried on.

Yesterday I noticed a puddle under the car and the coolant level was low. The drips were near the car centreline between the radiator and the engine, but I can't locate the source.

The radiator looks good, the bottom of the cam belt cover looks dry so I'm discounting the water pump.

The snag is I cant see the front of the engine properly - can anyone familiar with these engines suggest a source for the leak?

BTW - It had new coolant last autumn so frost damage is unlikely.

emmm...check the coolant pipes on top of the oil filter ther is two of them
thay are green pipes well at least mine are green and thay are only small mite be one of them mate...

if it is one of them pipes then thay are a f**ker to get to cause the oil filter is right in the way and i had to remove mine to get to it..mean draining oil cause as you may no if you just unscrew the filter oil is going to **** out ever were..so mean new oil and filter at the same time..

hope you sort it out mate let me no how you get on....

Thanks mate. I filled it up with water (oops) to get a better look and it seems to be the radiator. :-(
The leak is dripping onto the back of the front bumper so 99% its the rad. I'm trying some Radweld (horror) but if that stops it, at least I'll have time to get a rad ordered and maybe do those oil cooler pipes too, its due for an oil/filter change.

Dont we love old cars.

Shop 4 Parts don't have the HGT rad but they show the Alfa 156 1.6/1.8 rad with air con is £129 or £162. Aaagh!

I'll have to call them tomorrow with a phone book down me troose. :-(

whitesei...

i had the same problem a few weeks ago with the coolant dripping onto the back of the front bumper. but it just stoped it self...(thank god)..

hope the radweld works for you mate if that wot is the problem

em and yip your right about dont we love old cars..lol

Radweld seems to be holding, but I'm sure it is the rad - there was a puddle on the inside of the front bumper. I'll be phoning Shop4parts tomo.

The little hoses around the oil filter are OK, but I might fit some new ones when I change the oil. Where did you buy yours from 130?

Does anyone know what has to come off to get the HGT rad out of the car.
e.g. Does the aircon coolant have to be emptied?