Astra, no coolant.

oleras

yesterday evening i was outside when the wife pulled in, i could hear the fan running and it kept tunning with the engine off.

I asked her long it was like that, she said she never noticed before, its been a couple of weeks since i drove it and it was fine then.

She also said the heat wasnt working...

Anyway, this evening after work i took a look and there was no coolant, i put 2 litres in, took it for a spin, level went down about 20mm from the max. I left the car running with the heat up to max and the dial to zero (heat was fine after the refill) to see if any leaked out, it didnt.

No salad cream in the oil cap, no smell of oil in the coolant resevoir but there were what looked like drops of water on the dipstick, more like silver pearls than water, it also looks like it blew a bit of oil from the oil cap.

I will check it again tomorrow evening but does it sould like the head gasket may beed to be replaced ? What else should I be looking for/at ?

2007 1.4 petrol btw.

Nissan doctor

oleras wrote: »

yesterday evening i was outside when the wife pulled in, i could hear the fan running and it kept tunning with the engine off.

I asked her long it was like that, she said she never noticed before, its been a couple of weeks since i drove it and it was fine then.

She also said the heat wasnt working...

Anyway, this evening after work i took a look and there was no coolant, i put 2 litres in, took it for a spin, level went down about 20mm from the max. I left the car running with the heat up to max and the dial to zero (heat was fine after the refill) to see if any leaked out, it didnt.

No salad cream in the oil cap, no smell of oil in the coolant resevoir but there were what looked like drops of water on the dipstick, more like silver pearls than water, it also looks like it blew a bit of oil from the oil cap.

I will check it again tomorrow evening but does it sould like the head gasket may beed to be replaced ? What else should I be looking for/at ?

2007 1.4 petrol btw.

They are prone to leaks and if the levels aren't regularly checked then damage can very easily be caused.

A couple of tests at a decent garage will tell you exactly where the problem is or how bad it is.

anheneti

I bought an 08 astra yesterday, what should i be looking out for I have a huge knowledge of anything under the bonnet

Nissan doctor

anheneti wrote: »

I bought an 08 astra yesterday, what should i be looking out for I have a huge knowledge of anything under the bonnet

They are the same as any car really. Have it serviced properly and regularly and every week check your oil/water/brake fluid/washer fluid etc. Opel colour all the general check items in Yellow(oil cap, coolant cap, dip stick etc) so its straight forward.

IMO Properly looked after astra's are very reliable but as I said they, like most modern cars using plastic cooling system components, can be prone to leaks but regular checking of the coolant level will tell you if you've got a problem.

anheneti

Nissan doctor wrote: »

They are the same as any car really. Have it serviced properly and regularly and every week check your oil/water/brake fluid/washer fluid etc. Opel colour all the general check items in Yellow(oil cap, coolant cap, dip stick etc) so its straight forward.

IMO Properly looked after astra's are very reliable but as I said they, like most modern cars using plastic cooling system components, can be prone to leaks but regular checking of the coolant level will tell you if you've got a problem.

Thanks Nissan doctor
I will keep an eye on it, but have to say I am very happy with it, I am averaging 43mpg (I know early days yet) I bought off of a family member who bought it new it never gave them a bit of bother

oleras

Quick update:

Checked it this evening and it was fine, will keep an eye on it over the next few days and see does the level drop again.