So I got home this evening and while getting out of the car I noticed a water trail running up my driveway, I popped the bonnet and found I had water running out from 'somewhere' on the the passenger side of the engine. It wasnt just a trickle, it was pretty much running freely out. I couldnt get a good look at exactly where because the air intake (I think thats what it is) pipe is bolted on and in the way, plus it was getting dark.

I (very carefully) opened the radiator cap and wasnt surprised to find it empty, I filled it up with 6-8 litres of water and noticed that the water had stopped running.

I've done some googling to get an idea of what it could be and came up with:

Head Gasket – I know EF's have this problem but I havent found any water in my oil (which I checked last on easter weekend) and I did the test where I looked for 'bubbling' while looking inside the water reservoir tank with the car running. It didnt 'bubble'. I'll check this again tommorrow morning. Also, would a busted head gasket leak water like I've described?

Welch Plugs – I dont know much about these but from reading online this seems like it could be the issue as well.

I know head gasket replacement is very expensive (almost the cost of the actual car) but I dont know about Welch plugs, can anyone give me an idea of what it would cost to get those fixed.

Other than that does anyone else have any ideas on what else it could possibly be?

Also, anyone know any good mechanics in the Western Suburbs (Melb) who wont rip me blind?

Matey, could be a heater hose or maybe the pipe that runs from the back of the water pump, round the back of the engine and hooks up to one of the heater hoses OR, it COULD be the heater Tap.

It is most unusual for welch plugs to loose that much water and I doubt it is the head gasket. The other items sound more like the money as it is leaking from the passenger side.

I'm with Papa.

If its passenger side its more than likely the pipes.

Remember these cars are 10+ years old now MOST still have original plumbing.



water on the near side = external engine.
water on offside = pump heaterpipe or hg.

If you have Oil issues on the offside, your in trouble!

could also be a radiator end tank as well

When a welsh plug let go in my torry, it was pissing water onto the exhaust & letting off lots of steam.

However in my ford, the welsh plugs let go & just leaked water down the side of the block.

Cheers

ToranaGuy