coolant leak from car

zee34

I have an Astra GTC, 2016, 1.4SRI with less than 29k miles on it. I noticed my coolant is empty and the car is very loud , probably to try and cool down, and the temperature gauge goes to the first line to the right from the middle. Now i am thinking worse case scenario and coolant mixing with oil and head gasket failure or waterpump failure. However this car has a timing chain so I cant imagine how the water pump could fail already. How much is a acceptable charge to replace the head gasket and water pump? I will go to a independent garage not to vauxhall cause i dont want to get ripped off more than necessary. 
The reason im thinking there might be coolant in the oil is that the coolant leak under the car has like that rainbow coloring when you mix oil in something. Or is that normal ? 

Thanks for any replies 

dipsomaniac

You first need to establish and fix the source of the external coolant leak before going down the head gasket route. Refill the system and look for leaks around hoses, radiator, water pump, thermostat, oil cooler etc

Grey_Critic

****source of the external coolant leak**** Whats that? A coolant/oil leak comes from the inside, the external part only indicates you have a leak.

Had a few arguments over the years with warranty companies who say they do not cover external leaks.

born_again

So the coolant is under the car... Just because it has a rainbow effect does not mean it's mixed with oil...

dipsomaniac

External leak = leaking outside of engine

Internal leak = leaking inside of engine

angrycrow

The fact the coolant is on the floor says it is more likely a leak from a pipe than head gasket failure. You need to locate the source of the leak first. Could just be a split pipe. 

Ibrahim5

It's this sort of post that puts me off buying used cars.

dipsomaniac

Would be very unlucky to be a blown head gasket unless system totally dry.  Also surprised to find a coolant leak on a 5 year old vauxhall.  Has any work been done on the engine to disturb any hoses/parts?

Norman_Castle

zee34 said:

The reason im thinking there might be coolant in the oil is that the coolant leak under the car has like that rainbow coloring when you mix oil in something.

A head gasket leak allowing coolant into the oil doesn't allow oil or coolant to leak out of the engine.

When was the last time you checked the coolant level?

motorguy

zee34 said:

I have an Astra GTC, 2016, 1.4SRI with less than 29k miles on it. I noticed my coolant is empty and the car is very loud , probably to try and cool down, and the temperature gauge goes to the first line to the right from the middle. Now i am thinking worse case scenario and coolant mixing with oil and head gasket failure or waterpump failure. However this car has a timing chain so I cant imagine how the water pump could fail already. How much is a acceptable charge to replace the head gasket and water pump? I will go to a independent garage not to vauxhall cause i dont want to get ripped off more than necessary. 
The reason im thinking there might be coolant in the oil is that the coolant leak under the car has like that rainbow coloring when you mix oil in something. Or is that normal ? 

Thanks for any replies 

if its leaking out of the car, then its unlikely to be head gasket which would mean water would be leaking in to the oilways / combustion chambers or oil would be getting in to the water.

Almost certainly a damaged hose - could have been a fault or hit by some debris.

Get it found and sorted ASAP though.  I'd be getting it booked in to find that, not ringing around for quotes for head gasket and water pump replacement.

timbotambo

You can buy repair liquid but I'd avoid it as doesn't last. My 2015 5 series had a coolant leak recently, was £50 to diagnose and £80 to replace the hose at a main dealer so you may be best going to a trusted garage/main dealer as somewhere unscrupulous may charge you for a new radiator.