Steveb44

Hi I am new member and new owner, car is great I am hooked. Car has started overheating intermitantly. Heater blows cold and I loose water but I hav'nt been able to find from where?. Sometimes heater blows cold but engine runs at normal temp. I have ordered new filler resevior cap and thermostat to fit at weekend. If anybody has previous experience or tips/ideas I would be very gratefull.

williamb82

thermostat wouldnt cause you to loose water. you have a leak somewhere or a blown headgasket. id check all the hoses from the radiator to the overflow tank, and from the overflow tank to the engine. after those, check the small coolant hoses that run around the intake for the tb, isc, egr, etc... after those, look at the heater hoses, then if still no leak, check inside the car to see if the heater core is leaking. if all those are ok, sounds like a hg leaking. these arnt common to blowing the hg, so id say its likely a leak.

Steveb44

Thanks for advice. I have found a leak it seams to be top right hand side of water pump but its hard to see exactly where. I also get an imtermitant noise from same area sounds like broken bearing.
I wonder if the water pump is on its last legs?.
Any general advice or comments would be gratefully received.

Further to above I would consider taking on the changing of the pump myself. I understand that this is quite difficult and would welcome any comments or advice particulaly from somebody who has carried out this task themselves.

Regards Steve

williamb82

if you can change the timing belt, the water pump isnt so bad. if you do change the water pump, make sure to change the front crank seal, cam seals, and timing belt as well while your in there. and check your timing belt idler pulleys and tensioner. one of the pulleys could be making the noise your hearing.

Steveb44

Thanks william82 your help is appreciated.

steve2006

Tutorial for the TB and water pump replacement below,there is also another on www.lextreme.com.

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/timingbelt.html
"South Yorkshire" I've never heard of that state,is that the one above Derbyshire? lol

Steveb44

Thanks steve2006, its not a U.S. state, but its in a right state. Its not the land of the free, but its the land of the 'how much! ££ ?'.

Steveb44

I have found the problem, the water pump bearing was clapped out and water was escaping. I fitted a new water pump the other week and everything is good. Thanks for all help. regards Steve