any mechanics on board?

[~Katja~]

I have a question.
My car has been having trouble with the water pump a few times and it was replaced 3 times.
It seems that my antifreeze is leaking again. I just recently had it flushed and replaced.
The following week I noticed drips in the driveway in the mornings, so I took it back to the garage.
He put the pressurizer on it and checked under the car and everywhere for leaks. Nothing. I even got under the car to check cause it seemed unbelievable. The tank was also at the right fill height.
Today I started the car and the light came on indicating it was low again. Again, I had seen drips, not huge puddles but every morning a little bit.

So if under pressure it does not leak and also after driving to the garage it was completely dry underneath... where could it be leaking? And why only when it is standing over night?

Any ideas?

[PerryWinkle]

i think you are having problems with the ball bearings in your mouser injector pump. It can be rebuilt pretty easily.

[Big_Joe]

What kind of car is it? Cars act differently when the engine is hot or cold. Anti freeze leaks are pretty common because there's a hundred different places where you could have a potential failure. You first have to figure out where the leak is coming from to truly determine the problem

[~Katja~]

I thought you build stuff... had I know you know cars I would have just asked ya... duh I am a dummy sometimes

[~Katja~]

What kind of car is it? Cars act differently when the engine is hot or cold. Anti freeze leaks are pretty common because there's a hundred different places where you could have a potential failure. You first have to figure out where the leak is coming from to truly determine the problem

it's 2003 jetta.

the leak appears to be on the passenger side, right where the tank for the antifreeze is... I thought it would be a hose or something as it has been in the past...
Actually I thought the mechanic just didn't close it right when he drained and flushed it.

Having it up on the lift under pressure everything was dry. we looked at it from the inside and the same...

so it only drips when standing cold for a while

[west milly Tom]

it's 2003 jetta.

the leak appears to be on the passenger side, right where the tank for the antifreeze is... I thought it would be a hose or something as it has been in the past...
Actually I thought the mechanic just didn't close it right when he drained and flushed it.

Having it up on the lift under pressure everything was dry. we looked at it from the inside and the same...

so it only drips when standing cold for a while

if its right under the tank...check the cap, sounds silly but is a common thing

[~Katja~]

if its right under the tank...check the cap, sounds silly but is a common thing

thats what I thought... and the reason I asked the mechanic to take a look again... though wouldn't that have leaked under pressure when we checked it?


I am just very cautious about the antifreeze levels ever since my water pump was shot.
The first time was because of a leaky hose and when I noticed it the pump basically had melted away. Then I had the hose replaced and the pump and yet another leak caused the same... another pump was installed which turned out to be faulty... I am tired of the same thing over and over

[Don Stugots]

check the hoses. they might be worn.

[Death Metal Moe]

I would say check the hoses for dryrot or loose connections. Did they ever replace any?

I know it doesn't make sense with the pressure test showing nothing, but I'm out of ideas too.

[west milly Tom]

thats what I thought... and the reason I asked the mechanic to take a look again... though wouldn't that have leaked under pressure when we checked it?


I am just very cautious about the antifreeze levels ever since my water pump was shot.
The first time was because of a leaky hose and when I noticed it the pump basically had melted away. Then I had the hose replaced and the pump and yet another leak caused the same... another pump was installed which turned out to be faulty... I am tired of the same thing over and over

recomendation: sell that piece of shit and get a new car. :smile:

[BlackSpider]

the tank on the side is for overflow, to release the pressure from the radiator.
It's best to check your fluid level in the actual radiator (under the cap)
If it's leaking from the overflow tank, that wouldn't show up with a pressure test,
and wouldn't really be much of a problem, unless you gradually keep losing fluid
there and don't check the level in the radiator.
I don't know why you would keep going through water-pumps though.
Anyway a garage should be able to straighten out your problem.
Maybe you need to try a different garage...
(Perrry was fucking with you by the way)

[PerryWinkle]

sometimes the radiator cap is bad and doesn't hold the pressure and that could cause a loss of water, but i'm not sure where the leak comes from while it sits. if it was pressure check it should be ok. the only other issue could be the seal on the water pump. maybe it wasn't installed correctly or something when they put the new one on.

[PerryWinkle]

the tank on the side is for overflow, to release the pressure from the radiator.
It's best to check your fluid level in the actual radiator (under the cap)
If it's leaking from the overflow tank, that wouldn't show up with a pressure test,
and wouldn't really be much of a problem, unless you gradually keep losing fluid
there and don't check the level in the radiator.
I don't know why you would keep going through water-pumps though.
Anyway a garage should be able to straighten out your problem.
Maybe you need to try a different garage...
(Perrry was fucking with you by the way)

you son of bitch:nono:

[Big_Joe]

it's 2003 jetta.

the leak appears to be on the passenger side, right where the tank for the antifreeze is... I thought it would be a hose or something as it has been in the past...
Actually I thought the mechanic just didn't close it right when he drained and flushed it.

Having it up on the lift under pressure everything was dry. we looked at it from the inside and the same...

so it only drips when standing cold for a while

It does sound like something simple like a hose or something. Problem is I'm not too familiar with the VW's. But from what I'm reading right now it could possibly be the water pump again. I'd suggest finding a new mechanic this time around.

[~Katja~]

the tank on the side is for overflow, to release the pressure from the radiator.
It's best to check your fluid level in the actual radiator (under the cap)
If it's leaking from the overflow tank, that wouldn't show up with a pressure test,
and wouldn't really be much of a problem, unless you gradually keep losing fluid
there and don't check the level in the radiator.
I don't know why you would keep going through water-pumps though.
Anyway a garage should be able to straighten out your problem.
Maybe you need to try a different garage...
(Perrry was fucking with you by the way)

how do I check the level in the radiator?

[~Katja~]

anybody wants to buy me a lexus for x-mas?
I am fucking tired of this car... nothing but trouble

[Big_Joe]

The first time was because of a leaky hose and when I noticed it the pump basically had melted away.

humm that interesting... With all these water pump problems have they ever replaced the housing as well as the pump?

[PerryWinkle]

how do I check the level in the radiator?

before you start your car, you take the cap off the actual radiator and you can see the level in the said radiator. never do it while the engine is hot or running. i don't want to hang out with a scarred and burned Katja

[midwestjeff]

I am fucking tired of this car... nothing but trouble

That's German engineering for ya.

[PerryWinkle]

anybody wants to buy me a lexus for x-mas?
I am fucking tired of this car... nothing but trouble

spider will, he's N...er rich

[~Katja~]

That's German engineering for ya.

it was made in Mexico

[midwestjeff]

it was made in Mexico

That's Mexican engineering for ya.

[~Katja~]

humm that interesting... With all these water pump problems have they ever replaced the housing as well as the pump?

honestly I don't remember what they all replaced... from hoses to pump... maybe the housing, though I doubt it

[Big_Joe]

honestly I don't remember what they all replaced... from hoses to pump... maybe the housing, though I doubt it

yeah I bet if the pump got hot enough to melt lke you said, then the housing is probably warped. Which would cause never ending leaks.

[TooLowBrow]

yeah I bet if the pump got hot enough to melt lke you said, then the housing is probably warped. Witch would cause never ending leaks.

http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/halowen/witch01.gif

[boosterp]

Some cars now do not have a separate radiator cap, the reservoir on the side which looks like an over flow tank. If pressure tested it is done via this tank. As the fluid becomes warm it expands, hence why the tank on the side will look fuller when the car is hot. The opposite happens when cold which makes me wonder if it could be the seal in the cap. Yet, all of them still have to have an overflow tube (or semi vented cap to release pressure, otherwise your radiator would blow up.

This is quite puzzling without seeing it myself or climbing under it when cold.

[~Katja~]

yeah I bet if the pump got hot enough to melt lke you said, then the housing is probably warped. Witch would cause never ending leaks.

the thing is it wasn't leaking for over an year after it was replaced.
Then recently before I had it flushed the light came on once and that's why I made them check and drain it.
At that time I had not noticed any leaks but since the tank was low it clearly was going somewhere... I kind of blamed it on the fact that it was a larger part water after the last fill and probably evaporated.
The first leak I saw was in my driveway after the drain and flushing.

[Big_Joe]

http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/halowen/witch01.gif

ahh, I'm typing fast tying to keep you with all the post whores on this board, give me a break. :wacko:

[~Katja~]

Some cars now do not have a separate radiator cap, the reservoir on the side which looks like an over flow tank. If pressure tested it is done via this tank. As the fluid becomes warm it expands, hence why the tank on the side will look fuller when the car is hot. The opposite happens when cold which makes me wonder if it could be the seal in the cap. Yet, all of them still have to have an overflow tube (or semi vented cap to release pressure, otherwise your radiator would blow up.

This is quite puzzling without seeing it myself or climbing under it when cold.

I didn't think it had a separate cap which is why I asked where it would be..
when he did the pressure test we did look at the radiator as well and like I said, there were no leaks all around.

Now the only thing I still can imagine is that there must be an opening on the underside of the "overflow" tank which is opened when drained and flushed... so in my theory this is where the leak is... but again, it wasn't leaking when tested.
UGH
have I mentioned I hate this car?

[boosterp]

I didn't think it had a separate cap which is why I asked where it would be..
when he did the pressure test we did look at the radiator as well and like I said, there were no leaks all around.

Now the only thing I still can imagine is that there must be an opening on the underside of the "overflow" tank which is opened when drained and flushed... so in my theory this is where the leak is... but again, it wasn't leaking when tested.
UGH
have I mentioned I hate this car?

There are two hoses that are about 2" in diameter that run from that tank. It really depends on what is under it as to where the leak is coming from. I would love to climb under it when cold because I can then find the spots of antifreeze hitting the sub-frame and track it from there. Too bad I am like 1000 miles away.

[landarch]

Perhaps you don't actually have a leak......

The pressure test would have found one for you if it was there. Your light could have quite possibly come on due do a faulty coolant level sensor within the reservoir. If you didn't see any drops of coolant before the flush and fill, then maybe the garage made a mess under there--there's all sorts of crevices for that stuff to hide in and drip out slowly over time--or maybe they didn't reconnect the hose properly, and now it's dripping.

Wierd about the three water pumps though. May be worthwhile to take it to a dealer and let them use VW parts, since your mechanic's supplier hasn't been able to get you a reliable aftermarket pump.

[scottinnj]

Could be the hoses going to the heater core. Depending on your make and model, it could be an easy fix or an expensive one. Does the puddle appear under where the firewall is, or up where the main radiator is? Your mechanic does a pressure check but that may have only been able to test the radiator/water pump/engine jackets.

[Gvac]

If it's not leaking at idle but it does when you're driving, my guess would be an O ring where the coolant pipe enters the engine block.

Just a guess though.

[~Katja~]

Perhaps you don't actually have a leak......

The pressure test would have found one for you if it was there. Your light could have quite possibly come on due do a faulty coolant level sensor within the reservoir. If you didn't see any drops of coolant before the flush and fill, then maybe the garage made a mess under there--there's all sorts of crevices for that stuff to hide in and drip out slowly over time--or maybe they didn't reconnect the hose properly, and now it's dripping.

Wierd about the three water pumps though. May be worthwhile to take it to a dealer and let them use VW parts, since your mechanic's supplier hasn't been able to get you a reliable aftermarket pump.

but it is leaking as the light came on today and the tank was way below its level


If it's not leaking at idle but it does when you're driving, my guess would be an O ring where the coolant pipe enters the engine block.

Just a guess though.

it's the opposite though, it seems to leak when idle but not when under pressure and while driving

[boosterp]

but it is leaking as the light came on today and the tank was way below its level




it's the opposite though, it seems to leak when idle but not when under pressure and while driving

Fly me there :)

[biggestmexi]

No offense.

After two blow out of the water pump I would have bought another vehicle.

Look like you have a lot of information here I wont even try to confuse more.

But what type of Jetta is it? GTI, 1.8T, TDI?

Edit: since you seem to like to spend money go to your local autoparts store. Get a UV test kit.

You get Dye to put into your coolant, blacklight(if you dont have one), and some snazzy glasses.

When it leaks down you will be able to see it with the glasses and black light from where this leak is coming from.

dont thank me.

[~Katja~]

No offense.

After two blow out of the water pump I would have bought another vehicle.

Look like you have a lot of information here I wont even try to confuse more.

But what type of Jetta is it? GTI, 1.8T, TDI?

Edit: since you seem to like to spend money go to your local autoparts store. Get a UV test kit.

You get Dye to put into your coolant, blacklight(if you dont have one), and some snazzy glasses.

When it leaks down you will be able to see it with the glasses and black light from where this leak is coming from.

dont thank me.

it's a station wagon, manual... no extras, not a tdi or gti
I was still paying on the car when the pump went and could not afford getting a new one.
The pump was shot twice in a row within a few weeks and after that they did get a WV part from a dealer.

the dye does sound like a good idea, however while testing it under pressure there are no leaks, so would that still show? I could try getting a mechanic to lay under the car out in the cold over night when the leaks seem to happen...
or I could have perry do it for his dick move in the first reply here... :laugh:

[BlackSpider]

it's a station wagon, manual... no extras, not a tdi or gti
I was still paying on the car when the pump went and could not afford getting a new one.
The pump was shot twice in a row within a few weeks and after that they did get a WV part from a dealer.

the dye does sound like a good idea, however while testing it under pressure there are no leaks, so would that still show? I could try getting a mechanic to lay under the car out in the cold over night when the leaks seem to happen...
or I could have perry do it for his dick move in the first reply here... :laugh:

I was thinking about the UV dye also.
Have you taken your radiator cap off yet to check the level...?

[~Katja~]

I was thinking about the UV dye also.
Have you taken your radiator cap off yet to check the level...?

I don't think there is a separate cap. it's the fill tank and nothing else from what I can see...





really miss the days driving a Trabant... a pocket knife is all you needed to make repairs

[BlackSpider]

really miss the days driving a Trabant...

or an older VW. when they were air cooled...

[CountryBob]

Well, it is obvious. Invite over some good friends to stay up all night and take turns laying under the car to catch the leaking bastard. Offer a cash reward to the person who is the one who figures this mystery out. I reccommend lots of liquor and have pizzas delivered around midnight - to keep up morale.
Good luck!

[PerryWinkle]

it's a station wagon, manual... no extras, not a tdi or gti
I was still paying on the car when the pump went and could not afford getting a new one.
The pump was shot twice in a row within a few weeks and after that they did get a WV part from a dealer.

the dye does sound like a good idea, however while testing it under pressure there are no leaks, so would that still show? I could try getting a mechanic to lay under the car out in the cold over night when the leaks seem to happen...
or I could have perry do it for his dick move in the first reply here... :laugh:

do you notice the puddle under your car everyday? or just that one time?

and i would lay under you car if i had to:tongue:

[biggestmexi]

it's a station wagon, manual... no extras, not a tdi or gti
I was still paying on the car when the pump went and could not afford getting a new one.
The pump was shot twice in a row within a few weeks and after that they did get a WV part from a dealer.

the dye does sound like a good idea, however while testing it under pressure there are no leaks, so would that still show? I could try getting a mechanic to lay under the car out in the cold over night when the leaks seem to happen...
or I could have perry do it for his dick move in the first reply here... :laugh:

Yes the die would work. It would leave a trace of the dye from where its coming to wheres its going no matter when it leaks. But try to do it when its going to be dry for a few days.

Or you can get some ramps(that you drive your car up on). if you know anyone that has them. Take them Or even a jack to your local do it yourself car wash and jack it or drive it UP and spray the undercarriage of the engine. Then drive it for a few. then use the dye as directed. Then you should find it for sure.

But as many times as you coolant sytem has fail i would not be suprised if something is warped. Have you gone through ANY amount of oil. or is there any thing mixed with the coolant on the drive. Or you can get your oil changed or coolant flushed and tell the technician to check for collant or oil in each other.

sorry for spelling trying to go watch some top gear and trying to help. S

SEE YA buday!