Guys...I have a 06 scudo 2.0 JTD. I have been topping up the coolant tank for many weeks, the last few days it loses around a litre of water a day, still pressure there when I take the cap off.

Have spotted water on the front offside suspension strut below, but behind the water pump (I think?) The Water pump was replaced 16000 miles ago when I had the cambelt done, might have been a cheap and cheerful part?

Is there anything else in that area that might leak coolant...do not really want another big bill for water pump...even less if the head gasket!!...any heater hoses? Is there a hose that connects into the water pump?

if the front coolant pipes to the rad are rock hard and theres lots of pressure when you remove the cap when the engines stone cold then sadly your head gasket has failed

Can anyone help me please??? I was driving through the country side yesterday & unfortunately a pheasant came out in front of me and I hit it... I felt bloody awful after but I had no choice. Anyway about 5-7 minutes later my car started to slow down.... And steam started to come from my bonnet!!!! I called RAC and the bloke said my radiator had cracked probably.due to.the pheasant!!! When he put water in the car it did work.and it sounded ok.... But he then towed me home!!!!

I know my car needs a new radiator but do u think any other damage could of been done and what r the chances???

Thanks

As long as you did not drive with the temp up in the red then it should be ok with a new radiator. If you did drive it up in the red then its anybodys guess and you wont know until you have fitted a new radiator. if its a turbo version or has air-con then the turbo intercooler & or the air-con unit may also be punctured.

Thanks for your reply, the thing is I have no temperature warning thing so im not sure what temp it was at. :-S fingers crossed its ok x

pug expert said:

if the front coolant pipes to the rad are rock hard and theres lots of pressure when you remove the cap when the engines stone cold then sadly your head gasket has failed

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This could be scary! but is there anything else in that general area that you think might cause the coolant seen on lower suspension?

Im a girl so i wouldnt know how to check all these things.... It's just really upset me!!!! I just hope I get the radiator sorted and its fine. fingers crossed...why don't x reg cars have a heater gauage????

Dunno, but question: Are you sure it's coolant (to check, a tiny amount on the end of your finger will taste sweet)?

I suppose there could be pipe joints or pump seals or core plugs leaking...

your water pump could be leaking are you having a lot of pressure in the system when its cold though?

pug expert said:

your water pump could be leaking are you having a lot of pressure in the system when its cold though?

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Water pump is prime suspect, think the garage I used fitted the cheapest they could find...it was fitted 16000 miles ago Oct 2011. It made a "rustling" noise when started in winter freeze and coolant was lost then; noise dissappeared when engine warm...garage told me this is normal and it would settle down? Does that sound reasonable?? This Garage have copped up after this, I am taking civil action against them and would never let them near my vehicle again; so do not have recourse there under warranty. I am trying to NOT be led down the path again, of replacing the water pump, which they tell me I will have to have another cam-belt too (this was changed same time as water pump) and then to told after its not that but something else after another £700 spent.

When you said previously about pressure when its cold, do you mean a few minutes after switching off..or several hours when it is really "cold". There is a hiss when filler cap taken off but less cold after several hours. I did as you suggested & feel the two large coolant pipes going to radiator while running and stopped, they did not feel hard, well not to me anyhow. I take it this means the head gasket is ok??

. It made a "rustling" noise when started in winter freeze and coolant was lost then; noise dissappeared when engine warm...garage told me this is normal and it would settle down? Does that sound reasonable??

no it does not its a load of BS,your water pump should not be making any noises hot or cold,in regartds to your other issue andy i mean under pressure after a good few hours if the hoses are soft and there is no hiss after a few hours you can rule out your head gasket,from what you have said your water pump is the issue and the garage are lying through there teeth

Threw a couple of bottles of K-Seal that I hoped had done the trick...seemed to for a couple of days but now its losing the coolant again. About 500 ml every session...I shall have to carry on like this till I can afford to have it done properly...taking back to the garage under warranty is not an option...with other failings I would not let them near it with a barge-pole ever again. They popped a bottom swivel road-testing after putting in a new steering rack-and the steering now gives a right turning circle 3 foot less than than left turning circle. Jackson Motors the Bodgers of Herne Bay...beware!:devil:

Latest update-new water pump and cambelt fitted. I was advised the recovered Cabelt very old, or over tensioned when fitted...which would have knocked the water pump out too.
Great thought I...but it was short lived! Water still leaking!!

Its dripping out below the water pump/cambelt housing, have to imagine from somewhere above the water pump and behind the engine...if I fit the water expansion tank filler cap very loose with no pressure build up the leak compltely stops?? I am awaiting someone with a pressure tester to locate where the water is comming from.

I have two questions the group might be able to advise
1. Any idea where this leak is most likely from?
2. Until I can have it sorted I coninue to drive with this filler cap loose so there is no pressure and no leak. Is there any problem I might cause doing this?