Advice please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have you lifted the bonnet to see where the steam is coming from.? I would do that 1st then get back to us and let us know what you find. Also is it tdi or td5. and what year is it.

just taken it around the block and given it a few revs but there very slight steam now, lifted bonnet but cant pinpoint where it coming from, doesnt seem to be any residue of anything in there (water, oil etc) but strong smell of diesel? also which i didnt mention before was a knocking noise from dash above from stereo, but not heard that today, happens every so often?? sorry its a 1994 300TDI thanx

with the bonnet up and with lamp/torch in hand rev the engine from the throttle cable to locate steam. are you sure steam isn't smoke, oil or diesel mist. most likely cause if leak is difficult to spot is a leaky rad. A knock from inside the dash is probably air in the in the heater matrix.

almost sure it isnt smoke but need to do what your advising really to be sure! the knocking which you suggested could be air in system, i take it this is why im blowing cold then? Is this easily rectified or do i need my mechanic?? ta

First you need to locate the source of the leak once you've done that, it can be repaired and then the system can be topped up and the air removed from the system. remember a cooling system is a pressurised, sealed system so it mustn't leak and it mut be free of air loss of pressure will lower the temperature at which the coolant will start to boil. which introduces steam into the system and leads to more cooling problems which can lead to head gasket failure. So it is important that you locate the source of the leak.

The steam seems to come from the outerside of the coolant tank, i slowly released the lid and there was a fair bit of pressure in there, cant see any obvious leeks though. How much fluid should it take to fill the system?

split coolant tank? or cap?

dont think yu shud be growing Leeks in yo engine bay.

I recently had a split tank, I waited till it was cold then filled it up and put my mouth over the top and blew and water came out of the seam. Its strange that its pressurising though. The system will take a total of about 12L to fill up and air can be removed by running with the cap off the tank for a few mins.

if you have steam/smoke and the smell of diesel i reckon its a leaky injector

Just had another quick look although its gone dark (by torch) the tank is full to the level I filled it to but there appears to be what looks like an oily film on top????? think maybe my mechanic should take a look

yella said:

if you have steam/smoke and the smell of diesel i reckon its a leaky injector

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Just searched leaking injector and you could be right mine allways needs 2 or 3 turns to fire up first thing in morning, if it is this is it a BIG/ Expensive job?

no

i'd be more worried about the oily film you found in the expansion tank! dip your finger in ans see if it feels oily? also check your rocker cap and dip stick see what condition the oil is in.

the oily film is probably diesel sprayed around the engine bay by the leaky injector

how would it make its was into the header tank yella?

hmmmmmmmmmmm maybe it was when I topped up the tank a week ago I left the cap off and didnt notice for a couple of days?

could rule out what i just said,

yella said:

if you have steam/smoke and the smell of diesel i reckon its a leaky injector

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HAIL Yella The Psyhcic Mechanic Spot On