Water Leak, best way to find it?

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,023
Location
Wellington, NZ
Hi, i've got an annoying water leak on the clio and I honestly can't seem to see where it's coming from.

It's worst and most noticable if i've been sat in traffic (say the M1!) I can see the odd bit of steam coming from the front of the grill.

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I've pulled over a few times to have a look but all I can see is the steam, no water drips (except if I leave my car after the journey there will be a few drips on the floor) I can also see like a residue on the bottom pipe where it looks like water has been hitting it so I suspect the rad. I just can't see it due to the massive fan on the back and the aircon rad on the front! The clips look a little rusty but surely if it was just the hose there wouldn't be steam? I've got warranty on this car but tbh it's rubbish and too much hassle, i'd rather do it myself.

No one seems to do pressure testing near me either (not even the local rad place) and I don't really want Kwik *hit near my car. Someone said I could make a pressure test with a foot pump and 1bar but i'm not sure about that, I might just change the rad and replace the rusty clips with the screw type.

What do you lot think?
 
the best way is to put the system under pressure. There are pumps that go over the water filler cap and you pump air in then you should be able to see the water shooting out better...
 
yeah i may have to buy my own then, where can you get then? Halfords? Someone said never take it over 1 bar?
 
I meant it as a temp. measure. I know i wouldn't have enough money to buy a radiator straight away...
 
[TW]Fox;11187712 said:
Becuase thats a ***** bodge, leaking radiators should be re-cored or replaced.

It is a bit *****, but it works..

However.. It also bungs up the veins in your rad and can block the heater matrix :eek:
 
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