Loosing water (4200)

[mjheathcote]

Discovered a little puddle under the front offside on Friday night, just before taking her out. I didn't go far (10 miles) and the header tank level was a little bit low.
Been working away this weekend (not in the Maser) and as soon as a got home I have checked the car...and yes, the puddle has returned, and to return the header tank to correct level took half a litre.
I guess the good news is that it is a leak, and she is not drinking the water herself!
Any favourite leak points to check?
If it is dropping straight down, the radiator area is favourite. She has had a new radiator in the last 10 years by the PO, so hoping its a hose or clip...

 

[mjheathcote]

Total mystery!
Had her up in the air, completely dry.
Ran her up to temperature, let the fans cut in and out a few times, still totally dry not a damp patch or water stain anywhere....

 

[Klive]

It's not the condensation from the air con is it? I regularly see this beneath mine.

 

[2b1ask1]

I couldn't get mine to leak on demand last weekend Mike, very similar, mine seemed to let the pressure out of the header tank so I cooled it and tried again no joy. Mine had a puddle on the o/s in the tray under the rad. I'm guessing mine is one of the small hoses that run from the header tank to various parts.

Good luck anyway.

 

[CatmanV2]

It's not the condensation from the air con is it? I regularly see this beneath mine.

There was general panic in France when I parked up in front of the gite, and the car started dripped

Was indeed aircon condensate, impressively trickling down heat shields

Used to also get in on the 156, scary the first couple of times.
C

 

[mjheathcote]

No not A/C condensation, that was streaming out before I turned it off!
Yes o/s in front of the wheel, it tasted like antifreeze the puddle on the floor so was from the car.
Will just have to keep an eye on it!

 

[2b1ask1]

Sounds uncannily familiar Mike, has your header tank cap got a greater pipe on it or is it like mine just a simple cap? I suspect it is the small bore pipe that goes forward from the tank to the rad top off side (about 10mm diameter)...

The valves cap seems to be on facelift cars.

 

[mjheathcote]

Just a simple cap, non face lift.
If it is that small bore pipe, out of interest earlier today I priced up all the hoses, and that one was £117+vat! the most expensive one by far for some reason.

 

[conaero]

Ah, you want to pull the header tank and make sure the pipe at the base if it is on securely. They do come off the wee all over the manifolds thus producing steam.

 

[2b1ask1]

Mike it in stock at Eurospares for much less (£16 or so) it is the big top hose that comes up pricey I found.

 

[mjheathcote]

Mike it in stock at Eurospares for much less (£16 or so) it is the big top hose that comes up pricey I found.

No, number '14' is £117!
http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partTable.asp?M=3&Mo=380&A=1&B=20135&S=

Top hose is £65

 

[CatmanV2]

Ridiculous. Should be about a fiver for a length from a factor or model store IWHT.

C

 

[2b1ask1]

Wow! I missed that one Mike that is a shocker. I'm going to take all my hoses off and take the set into my local factors to match up in a couple of weeks.

 

[Parisien]

Wow! I missed that one Mike that is a shocker. I'm going to take all my hoses off and take the set into my local factors to match up in a couple of weeks.

Newton....do post up your findings..........shocking prices


P

 

[mjheathcote]

Pity no silicone replacement kit available.
Actually compared to a lot of cars, there aren't many, and they are simple shapes.

 

[2b1ask1]

I cannot see it being that difficult to replicate the setup.

 

[2b1ask1]

Ok I have gone to the garage today and I have a puddle directly under the radiator... The car has not been run in two weeks????

Glad I put the card under to show me the location now. So the system pressures up and appears not to leak then dumps out when cold; any suggestions why this may be?

Not too fussed as I have the new radiator anyway.

 

[mjheathcote]

Have you had the opportunity to look up in the area of the puddle yet?
No further puddle under mine since heated up on Monday night...but I check underneath everyday I get home from work!

 

[2b1ask1]

Not yet, boss is at home and cracking the whip ahead of the engagement party on Saturday...

 

[safrane]

It could be a joint that is closing up when the system expands under heat.