What else other than head gasket?

zee34

Hi All,
I have a 2016 astra gtc, with 40k miles on it. For the past year I have had coolant leak problems. I had some old hoes changed, I had the waterpump changed, I had the thermostat changed. 
My coolant keeps leaking , after the engine reaches operating temperature the coolant gets pushed out and leaks when I stop. 
NO overheating, NO white exhaust smoke, NO frothy oil to suggest its head gasket. I just keep refilling and not use it for long trips.  My mechanic has done the test for head gasket, it was normal. But he says I better start saving up for a head gasket change. 800-900 pounds. 
What else could it be? Radiator? Faulty reservoir cap? At this moment even he dont understand what could be the issue if not head gasket but there are no other symptoms. But summer is coming when the weather is hot so the engine works harder. 

TadleyBaggie

Assuming no visible leak, if it was the head gasket, it would have to leak into either the oil or the cylinder. Both of which seem unlikely based on normal oil and exhaust. 

Ganga

Is the fan working ,if it is electric they normally fire up when the engine is hot and the car is not travelling ,that is at traffic lights etc . also when you stop the engine the fan can still start up to cool the radiator.

diystarter7

Hi

Could it be a very small leak on the rad and not noted and it vapours off without being noticed?

Have you had the rad tested, looked at?

Could it be an internal leak where water leaks a little  and vapoured off, etc?


Thanks

zee34

diystarter7 said:

Hi

Could it be a very small leak on the rad and not noted and it vapours off without being noticed?

Have you had the rad tested, looked at?

Could it be an internal leak where water leaks a little  and vapoured off, etc?


Thanks

The coolant is dripping after the engine reaches operating temperature. You can see the drips coming from under the reservoir. The mechanic said its cause the pressure pushes it out of the reservoir. There is no engine overheating , no funny noises, no frothy oil or white exhaust smoke. But maybe cause its something to do with the pressure I might change the top of the reservoir tank, the lid i mean. Not sure, i am saving up for the head gasket but just wonder is anyone had any similar issues. 

zee34

TadleyBaggie said:

Assuming no visible leak, if it was the head gasket, it would have to leak into either the oil or the cylinder. Both of which seem unlikely based on normal oil and exhaust. 

The coolant is dripping from underneath the reservoir once it reaches operating temperature and no leak if the car is just standing for a couple days. So its something to do with the pressure that pushes the coolant out 

zee34

Ganga said:

Is the fan working ,if it is electric they normally fire up when the engine is hot and the car is not travelling ,that is at traffic lights etc . also when you stop the engine the fan can still start up to cool the radiator.

I dont actually remember the last time I heard the fan at the front of the car. Considering its winter and the car does not overheat maybe its not supposed to(??). But im pretty sure the mechanic would have picked it up. Just wondering if anyone had any similar issues that no normal.symptoms for head gasket but it still was. I dont really want to spend close to a grand if i dont have to, if they dismantle the engine and no problem there 

diystarter7

Hello again

Does the car overheat - sorry if you have already covered this.

Is the top on the expansion tank for the purpose?

Thanks

diystarter7

diystarter7 said:

Hello again

Does the car overheat - sorry if you have already covered this.

Is the top on the expansion tank for the purpose?

Thanks

Is it easy to repalce the whole expansion tak and hose like adiy/cheap but only if you are up to the job?

From what you said and all of the chacks, consult your mechaic and see what he says and consider your options as it may or may not do the trick

Thaks

B0bbyEwing

zee34 said:

I had some old hoes changed, 

Sorry, couldn't resist

Bigwheels1111

I had a 56 plate Vectra diesel estate, that would let coolant out of the expansion bottle via a the pipe at the back.
It would collect on the bottles lip. Not sure it it was meant to have a rubber drain hose or not.
I just topped it up every month or so.
Sold it to my mate 100k miles later.
Was fine until he turned it upside down in a field 6 months later.