Technical Coolant Leak

[Theshed]

Hi, straight up confession, I was directed here from Ford Forum.
2015 KA with the Fiat 1.2 Engine. It has a coolant leak somewhere near the Water pump/Thermostat to the right of the engine looking from the front.
Hopefully attached picture shows general area but is there any usual suspects I should be checking ?
Thanks

 

[Theshed]

Not free but I have been the BMM before. Great place to visit, be sure to visit the collections centre, best bit I thought.

 

[jrkitching]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Two common places where coolant can leak are (1) the thermostat housing (many, but not all, have a plastic spigot which cracks; replace with a metal type if you can get one) and (2) the black metal coolant pipe coming out of the back of the water pump, which often corrodes badly and then leaks.

These engines are very prone to HG failure if run low on coolant; this often happens before the overheat warning light comes on and may not even register on the temperature gauge. I'd advise you to get this sorted before driving the car again.

 

[Theshed]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Two common places where coolant can leak are (1) the thermostat housing (many, but not all, have a plastic spigot which cracks; replace with a metal type if you can get one) and (2) the black metal coolant pipe coming out of the back of the water pump, which often corrodes badly and then leaks.

These engines are very prone to HG failure if run low on coolant; this often happens before the overheat warning light comes on and may not even register on the temperature gauge. I'd advise you to get this sorted before driving the car again.

Thanks for that. I will have to get in there !
While here, does this engine have the infamous 'wet belt' ?

 

[John202020]

Thanks for that. I will have to get in there !
While here, does this engine have the infamous 'wet belt' ?

No standard but don't try changing it yourself

 

[Theshed]

Ha ! No, I'm ok with basics like Water pumps if accessible but anything more complicated can go to those who know more.

 

[jrkitching]

Ha ! No, I'm ok with basics like Water pumps if accessible but anything more complicated can go to those who know more

The water pump is driven by the cambelt (so you have to disturb the belt to replace it, and would generally change both together), but you can change that metal pipe without disturbing the belt.

My money is on the thermostat housing, though; it's the first place to check.

 

[Jockstrap]

This was my leak on 2008, 1.4

. Easy to check with oil filter off.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

This was my leak on 2008, 1.4View attachment 449388. Easy to check with oil filter off.

'Mornin fellow countryman. Looking at the rust on it, I guess you changed the whole pipe? I find they're a bit of a struggle to get them into the hole in the back of the water pump casting.

Major flashback when I saw your "handle" - Jockstrap I mean - That was the nickname I was saddled with at school!

 

[Jockstrap]

'Mornin fellow countryman. Looking at the rust on it, I guess you changed the whole pipe? I find they're a bit of a struggle to get them into the hole in the back of the water pump casting.

Major flashback when I saw your "handle" - Jockstrap I mean - That was the nickname I was saddled with at school!

Yup. Replacement pipe has integrated seal, but did clean the housing first and smidgeon of silicone grease. No lube applied to the seal.

Part educated in Sydney, so nicknames come with the territory. My initials are CW so for a while I was a backward shithouse .

Fond memories of a mate at work called Opium.

He was a slow working dope .

 

[Jockstrap]

I couldn't get enough on the pipe retaining bolt to remove. All off the front and easy with the impact wrench.
So therefore... A/C rad. and seals replaced.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

My money is on the thermostat housing, though; it's the first place to check.

Mine too, 'specially as the leak's at the clutch end of the engine.

While here, does this engine have the infamous 'wet belt' ?

No, no "wet" belts - thank goodness - on the FIRE engine range, just a good old "dry" synchronous (toothed) belt. Recommended change interval, if I remember right, is 5 years or 75,000 miles. Because our cars do low mileages I've always started factoring in a change after 4.5 years when the 5 years is getting near and there's some good weather. Sometimes this means they may go over the 5 years but to no more than 5.5 years. Never had a problem in the many, many years we've been running Pandas with these engines in them. Pay heed to jrk's advice above about low coolant though. These wee engines are above average reliable and should go on into the hundred thousand mile country but really REALLY don't like low coolant levels. I check ours every weekend or two and would never go as long as a month without checking and topping up if needed - If in good order they don't tend to need topped up so if your level is down it's going to be leaking somewhere and you need to get on top of it like yesterday!

 

[Theshed]

I hope I can get in without removing filter, wasn't planning on oil change !
That pipe does look rough.

 

[John202020]

Before anything confirm where any leak is, the water pipe is nowhere near the top right of the engine, the metal water pipe lasts about 8-9 years, not hard to replace yes Chang oil at same time( filter off ) only tricky part is the bolt that holds it in place, remove cooling fan(s) and use a long extension on the socket 1/4" set 10mm I think

 

[The Panda Nut]

I couldn't get enough on the pipe retaining bolt to remove. All off the front and easy with the impact wrench.
So therefore... A/C rad. and seals replaced.

Ah I see you have the super cooler.... Ive had one of these a few years back. The replacement was still good when we sold the car.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Before anything confirm where any leak is, the water pipe is nowhere near the top right of the engine, the metal water pipe lasts about 8-9 years, not hard to replace yes Chang oil at same time( filter off ) only tricky part is the bolt that holds it in place, remove cooling fan(s) and use a long extension on the socket 1/4" set 10mm I think

Yup. that wee retaining bolt on the pipe bracket can be a problem. Came out quite easily on Becky but snapped clean off when Felicity's needed doing.

 

[Burger2431]

Hi, could anyone please help me. I’m at m wits end, we put our car a 2016 Fiat 500x in to get fixed yesterday and we’ve been told it needs a new water pump but that the small black metal pipe coming out it is completely rusted. He called Fiat and they said they don’t have the part so we’ve been told the car is done! We can’t afford to get another car and only months ago it needed a new clutch only having done 40k miles, this cost £1000. It’s been one thing after another but the mechanic has said unless we can find the part then the car is useless. He doesn’t know what this part is called and neither do we so I don’t know if I am ordering the correct things, if I upload pictures could someone please help. It does sound like what some people are having issues with above. Our Aircon system doesn’t work either we paid £400 last year for a new compressor and re gassed it and it all disappeared. I’m wondering now if this is where the leak was? Any help would be appreciated I have attached some pictures.

 

[steveras57]

Ha ! No, I'm ok with basics like Water pumps if accessible but anything more complicated can go to those who know more.

Its accessible but of course the timing belts gonna have to come off to fit a new one! Its one job its best to get done A) professionally & B) by fiat rather than a local garage! far to many reports of issues on here when its not been done correctly!.

 

[Jockstrap]

Hi, could anyone please help me. I’m at m wits end, we put our car a 2016 Fiat 500x in to get fixed yesterday and we’ve been told it needs a new water pump but that the small black metal pipe coming out it is completely rusted. He called Fiat and they said they don’t have the part so we’ve been told the car is done! We can’t afford to get another car and only months ago it needed a new clutch only having done 40k miles, this cost £1000. It’s been one thing after another but the mechanic has said unless we can find the part then the car is useless. He doesn’t know what this part is called and neither do we so I don’t know if I am ordering the correct things, if I upload pictures could someone please help. It does sound like what some people are having issues with above. Our Aircon system doesn’t work either we paid £400 last year for a new compressor and re gassed it and it all disappeared. I’m wondering now if this is where the leak was? Any help would be appreciated I have attached some pictures.

Not sure what help you need.
Thinking you start a new thread with the issue which you hoped to "get fixed".
If there is a leak the starter is to find out where from. Replacing a water pump will not of itself fix a leak.
Also think about what you're spending and is the car worth it.
Not much but hope this helps.

 

[jrkitching]

If you've a 500x then this is in the wrong section, though there are likely more folks here who can help you. You can start another thread in that section if you want, but I'll leave this here for now.

This pipe is easy to get for the 500 (shop4parts have it), but they don't list anything for the 500x. You could try giving them a call anyway; they may be able to help.

Which engine has your car got?

Its accessible but of course the timing belts gonna have to come off to fit a new one

If the timing belt is disturbed for any reason, it should be replaced, since the tensioning procedure is designed to set the tension correctly only if a new belt is used.

But if it is just the metal pipe that needs replacing, then there is no need to remove the water pump or disturb the timing belt.

Also think about what you're spending and is the car worth it.

The economics of running an older car depend very much on how much you can do for yourself.

If money is tight, don't fix non-essential accessories like A/C.