General Small water leak gearbox side of engine

[PaulMcgrath]

If you have a water leak on the gearbox side of your 1.2 500 check your thermostat housing as I have just changed my daughters. When I removed it, it disintegrated in my hands! Only took me an hour and they’re about 30 quid. Photos of old and new attached, note that the new one is all alloy whereas the original had a plastic spout which failed!

 

[varesecrazy]

Yes a common failure due to the plastic ageing..

you wonder if its supposed to be changed at 3 years.. or maybe with the waterpump within 5 ..

Thanks for the pics

 

[jrkitching]

you wonder if its supposed to be changed at 3 years.. or maybe with the waterpump within 5

Yes, if you have the type with the plastic spigot, it is certainly worth changing this if you have the coolant drained down for any other reason.

The 1.2 is well known for blowing a HG if the coolant level drops; often before the temperature gauge registers any overheat.