Car Water Usage

[Barmaid]

I bought myself a second hand motor on Weds. Nothing too flash. I know the water levels were topped up when I left the garage (the chap checked these over with me). Since then I have done 140 miles. This morning there is no blummin water left in the reservoir.

I noticed after a 60 mile run yesterday water was coming out from underneath but decided this must be the air con.

Any ideas what this is likely to be? My research indicates it could be the head gasket. I am taking it to a garage next week to have it checked, but anything I can do in the meantime (I am not taking it back to the selling garage until I know precisely what is wrong).

Ta

BM

[Quoi]

No expert but a Headgasket wouldnt normally show as a leak under the car - I would suspect a leaky/split hose.

[Hopkirk]

Hose or radiator.

Hopefully it is a hose as they are much cheaper to replace.

If you run the engine so that the system pressurises, you might be able to see where it is coming from.

[Barmaid]

Thanks both. I probably shouldn't be let near anything mechanical. I put 2 litres of water in it and turned the engine on and 5 mins later boiling water erupted out the top cos I hadn't put the cap back on...... (a senior moment)

[Buenchico]

Remove the oil filler cap and (if necessary) shine a torch in. If you see 'mayonnaise' (illustrated in a somewhat extreme case here: http://i58.tinypic.com/jsgeo5.jpg ) the head gasket has gone. If not (and you simply see the same as if you were looking into a bottle of oil which you'd just purchased) it's very unlikely to be the head gasket. (It could simply be that a hose clip needs replacing).

[Islay]

As chris has stated check for mayo if none unlikely to be head gasket.

could be split hose or knackered thermostat.

[Khandro]

OK, top up, put the cap back on and run the engine with the car stationary. If it is a hose or a leaky radiator it would leak at the front. Always be careful when removing the filler cap, cover it with an old towel or something.
It could have also been an air lock in the system which has cleared itself.
Let us know what happens.

[ToraToraTora]

yep check for mayo, if it has it then the head gasket needs doing. If you are lucky it's a loose hose.

[Barmaid]

Update. It had a run with climate control off. No water running at stop. Going to let it cool a bit before doing as suggested above.

[Quoi]

you must have had the climate control set to 'rain' ;O)

[Quoi]

also not convinced the water under the car is connected to where your radiator water is going.
Most cars with air conditioning can leave a puddle of condensed water after use.

[Hopkirk]

Was it a reputable garage, or an Arthur Daley?

[Gizmonster]

As already suggested, check the oil. If the water is leaking through the head gasket, it'll mix with the oil, causing it to turn into a whitish slush.
If it's leaking via a small hole in a hose, etc - a bottle of "Radweld" will usually do the trick - no need to go round checking all the hoses etc.

[Barmaid]

I can't see into the oil place. Even with a torch. It did 20 miles and used 1lt of water. Tried just running it and there is a drip once every 3 secs. Grrr. Now I have noticed a vibration at 1000 rpm and again at 1800.

[chiaroscuro]

I would consider rejecting the car as it must have been faulty when you took possession - this may help

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/your-rights-if-something-is-wrong-with-your-car

[EDDIE51]

Almost certainly a leaking water hose or radiator, rather than a head gasket.
That is a lot of water to lose so quickly, the engine would be misfiring if it was losing that much water into the engine. That drip will be a more like a stream once the engine is hot.

[Barmaid]

Eddie. I think there is a slight misfire. Well actually Mr bm says so. Chiaroscuro thanks - I don't have a problem with the legal issues. That I can deal with.

[Buenchico]

>>> I can't see into the oil place. Even with a torch.

Check the dipstick! It sounds suspiciously like there's no oil in it!!!

[chiaroscuro]

Barmaid
Sorry, I've looked at your profile and see you are a legal eagle!

[BRIGHT SPARK]

B ..is there excessive steam from the exhaust when the engine is up to temp?

[Barmaid]

CHris, it has plenty of oil, I am not that much of a dipstick (remind me to tell you one day about how a former housemate filled his car up with oil..).

It did 15 miles this morning and used 1.5 ltrs of water. I called the selling garaage and he was a patronising ***t and calling me darling and told me not to worry. That makes me angry. I am not nice when I am angry, I am particularly not nice when I have spent money to be angry.