Water leak that isn't there.

[smccormick]

I believe K-Seal might buy you a few hundred miles but yes Rad Weld should really be retired to the Slick-50 home for retired chemicals.

If OP tries K-Seal, I think he'll probably find that it either fails to make the seal, and he'll know it because nothing much will change.
Or it makes the seal and lasts for a considerable time.

Hi

I believe K Seal has been tried along with a couple of other brands.

So far from posts it appears the radiator or head gasket.

I'm not a mechanic but wouldn't a HG failure show in other ways, loss of power, hard starting, that sort of thing? The car still pulls like a train, starts up clean i.e. no smoke, white or otherwise, no contamination in the oil etc.

So what might be worth a punt is to replace the radiator. I'll check it closely over the weekend for any dried stains etc.

Only one other observation to note and that's the mpg of the vehicle has dropped from around 44pmpg to 38 ish. This is from the onboard computer thing which I always question the readings....but something to pitch into the mix for the gathered kind folks.

Actually another observation...the main radiator there is a smaller radiator to the right as you look at the car from the front. I believe this is intercooler or oil cooler? There IS a small damp patch at the bottom of this but I was told its not linked or has anything to do with the water based cooling system of the car.

So back to the panel if you would be so kind.

Thank you all for your time btw.

Steven

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Yes your right.
The small one to the right of the main rad is indeed your intercooler, it has nothing to do with the water system on your car & it is quite common to have a oil patch a the bottom.
Re your fuel consumption, I don't know how long you have had the car but I have found with mine that the mpg has dropped by as much as 8mpg during the colder months

Down from 51mpg to 43 at worst, I belleive this is due to lights/heater/window de-misters/letting to car warm up a bit before driving off/ lower tyre pressures & the fact that HDi's take forever to warm up to full opperating temp .

But these are just my observations B.T.W for accurate mpg go fuel light to fuel light with your trip & go from there.
From your fuel light on should be 70 litres = 15.4 gals @ 4.546 litres to a gallon, in the summer I get 730-750 for 70 litres in the winter this can drop down to 650
Ah well still good on fuel for a big old bus

[trufflehunt]

Suggestion made by 'dirtydirtydiesel' on his original post seems a good one to me ?

There are numerous symptoms of HGF. Most people tend to get 1, or 2, possibly 3.
Some years ago, I owned a 405 diesel that disappeared a litre of coolant a month.
No other symptoms. A pour-in head gasket additive resolved that, for 15000 miles,
till I disposed of the car.

I have some doubts about the scenario, your mechanic, all the different additives that
seem to have gone in.

[smccormick]

Suggestion made by 'dirtydirtydiesel' on his original post seems a good one to me ?

There are numerous symptoms of HGF. Most people tend to get 1, or 2, possibly 3.
Some years ago, I owned a 405 diesel that disappeared a litre of coolant a month.
No other symptoms. A pour-in head gasket additive resolved that, for 15000 miles,
till I disposed of the car.

I have some doubts about the scenario, your mechanic, all the different additives that
seem to have gone in.

Hi,

All most appreciated feedback so far. As for your doubts I'm merely recounting what information has been conveyed to me.

I'll progress the suggestions made by dirtydirtydiesel.

In the meantime is there a recommended mechanic / garage in the Epsom, Surrey area that folks would recommend for a head gasket replacement should I decide to go done that path?

Thanks.

Steven

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Kris B is very good not sure how far away from him you are, Krisb.co.uk.
He's in Dorking Surrey. Comes highly recomended.
Hope this helps DDD.

[smccormick]

Kris B is very good not sure how far away from him you are, Krisb.co.uk.
He's in Dorking Surrey. Highly recomended.
Hope this helps DDD .

Many thanks, just down the road, email sent and I'll report back findings for folks and future references.

Cheers


Steven

[Quinny]

http://www.goodgaragescheme.com/

[Quinny]

Kris B is very good not sure how far away from him you are, Krisb.co.uk.
He's in Dorking Surrey. Highly recomended.
Hope this helps DDD .

Many thanks, just down the road, email sent and I'll report back findings for folks and future references.

Cheers


Steven

Love his honest description about himself.

[smccormick]

A little bit of an update for you folks.

I contacted Kris and dropped the car off with him on Saturday 8th March. Lined up to get the car sorted and ready for the following Saturday pickup.

Some texts and bank transfers in between to help with parts costs. Last communications from him was last week stating the person doing the head skim had a back log and it wouldn't be ready for Saturday 15th.

Have tried a number of times to contact since, no response, dropped off the face of the earth it would appear.

Will likely pop down there on Saturday on the off chance he's there and following that explore options likely involving the Police.

I hope there is some valid reason, truely do but at present my car is missing, I'm out of pocket cash wise and not a good situation.

If anyone does talk with him please ask him to give me a call, just want to know what the status is.

[jasper5]

Really sorry to hear you have not got your car back!

I don't know the person you are dealing with and hope that everything is above board, but speaking as someone who has been in business in the car repair trade for 34 years, taking money off a customer up front is not my way of working.
I would advise anyone considering having any sort of repair work done not to pay up front for parts or anything.
I sincerely hope things work out as they should and that you get your car back soon, fully repaired and working nicely!

[KrisB]

And he will get it back Fully repaired and working nicely, will be done by end of day tomorrow ready for Steve's arranged thursday pickup.

Unfortunately I had a delay with my head skimmer and his missus having a baby. Sometimes money is tight and an advance on parts is needed (especially when theres a bank issue over unexplained transactions), I am a one-man-band.

Headgasket had blown through cyl 1 (gearbox end) into a coolant channel.

[jasper5]

Glad to hear it's being sorted

[smccormick]

All sorted, picked up today and will return to offer repeat business such as fixing the door I crunched into the stealth post on the way out of the yard. DOH!

Nice bloke, works hard, spent longer on the car cleaning the head and going over and above time he had originally quote for but didn't bill.

I am pleased I took the course of action to get the head gasket fixed and as Kris mentioned it had blown which was the cause of the problem and showed me the old gasket.

I thank you all for your help and for the two folks who recommended Kris to me. More than happy to carry on that recommendation.

Now just to get it booked in with him to fix the doors.....double doh!

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Your most welcome mate, glad you got it sorted & without damaging KrisB reputation as he's one of the good guy's
All the best DDD .