Just happened today. A big leak started and within 5 minutes had emptied the expansion bottle. Called the 'very nice' man as up in Glasgow 400 miles from home. It looks like its coming from the join between the head and the water pump. He seemed to think Radweld might fix it. I'm not sure about that, having heard horror stories about it.
Should I try the Radweld, or try and get it home to London where I can fix it taking plenty of water with me.
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What car is it. ??
Er, looking at the subject header might give it away ;o)
pettaw, personally I\'ve never had any bad experiences of using radweld. It will either work or it won\'t. My views are that if a fiver spent solves the leak, all well and good. If the leak is still there, then it\'s time to try the next thing. I\'m not familiar with Volvo engines, so have no idea if the leak is a faulty \"o\" ring seal, a paper gasket, or a combination of both. I assume the water pump is fixed securely to the head, and the bolts don\'t just need tightening up? I wouldn\'t advise keep topping it up with water, as the leak could get worse. Are you a member of a breakdown/recovery service? Might be worth calling them and either getting them to repair it, or transport you and the car home on a trailer. How many miles have you got to travel before reaching home?
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Erm, the miles were in the message LOL (400 ish) The breakdown service WAS the 'very nice man' It looked as if its a failed gasket between the engine block and the water pump.
I've just driven a 50 mile round trip just to check, and the water level hasn't dropped one inch, and where it was dripping from has stopped completely. Weird huh! I'm definitely inclined to give it a go, and if it does absolutely start pouring out, the 'very nice man' will tow me home, because he put the problem down as a heater hose on the form. Restores your faith in human kindness doesn't it.
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I don't know if you have access to any tools, but replacing the gasket would be the better option.
This is the same engine as fitted in the Renault 11 TXE. This is a 1721 cc.
If you need I can look up this in a Haynes Manual and jot down some notes for you. I think I've still got a Ren 11 one somewhere!
Good luck anyway.
H
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Thanks Hugo, it definitely would be the better option. I'm pretty sure its a Volvo unit as its a 2 litre, but I'm probably going to change the whole pump, because it looks very old.
I don't have access to tools at all, hence the big worry, but for some reason the leak has completely stopped. I really feel like just crossing fingers, taking loads of water, and if push does come to shove, getting the 'very nice man' to tow me home.
Thanks for the advice though. Now I know a good source of parts for the 1.7 unit we have. I was never sure which Renault unit it was!
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Hi
Are you sure the leak is not from the water pump itself? When the seal is on the way out the leak can be intermittent, or only occur when the thing is stationary. Also, if you have refilled with water only without antifreeze, it will tend not to escape as easily
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Yep, I'm not sure which is why I want to change the pump anyway. Change it in my time convenient for me rather than when it fails in a big way.
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OK but take plenty of water with you when you drive back and keep an eye on the temp gauge.
The reason why I was given a Xantia recently is that the water pump failed and took the engine with it!
I had never seen a piston split into 3 before!
Sleep well
H
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