MG ZS 120 strange water leak?

mikey d · 14-09-12, 04:03 PM

alright, iv got a zs 1.8 16v and its going through 2 liters of water a day!! i was a mechanic so have checked every were for leaks and the thermostat housing has a leak so have a new one for it but when i drive the car 30 miles to work the water level is fine but when i go to leave its empty so i refill it but does anyone no were the water might be going as the sump has only oil in it? and i cant fint a major leak lol

petet16 · 14-09-12, 04:14 PM

Water pump and IMG are favourites for leaks, the water pump can be hard to spot because it has an evaporation chamber.

Sodakid · 14-09-12, 04:20 PM

Same happened on my ZR mate, I'd say 80% it's the water pump! I couldn't find it for ages then one day I parked up and saw it pissing out.

mikey d · 15-09-12, 09:45 AM

thanks for the quick reply guys, i did check the water pump when i first got it but leak has got alot worse so I will go out and check it again now thanks again

Ritchy · 15-09-12, 11:53 AM

said the thermo is leaking so sort that first, level can be fine when hot as you can end up with a air pocket, which works its way out when cooled so you end up with level dropping
2 litres a day is a lot to be losing from the waterpump or inlet manifold gasket

andy-81 · 15-09-12, 02:24 PM

As a mechanic you know that if water has leaked for a certain amount of time you will get a funny white residue when it comes into contact with alloy parts I would be checking for these signs. It's sounds to me that when there is no pressure in the water system it doesn't leak but when you have parked it up and the engine is cooling that is when it's leaking so my idea would be to come back to it about ten minutes after you have arrived at work

mikey d · 15-09-12, 03:47 PM

alright guys, today i checked the water pump and found no leaks i have changed the thermostat housing and after i bleed the cooling system and car was running i with no airlocks i was still loosing water i then drove car 5 miles with out using high revs water level was fine... then my mate gave it a good rev and water was flowing out the exhaust and water level dropped would i be wrong in saying i have the head gasket curse? lol

big_wasa · 15-09-12, 04:26 PM

Could still be the inlet gasket.

Pull the plugs you will see the one that is being steam cleaned. My guess is number 1

mikey d · 16-09-12, 10:18 AM

thanks, i pulled out number 1 yesterday i heard it was most common but it wasn't that bad i checked the inlet for any sign of leaks but its dry car is now away getting the head done and new inlet gaskets t belt water pump ect so hopefully that will cure it do the inlets crack were it cant be seen??

andy-81 · 16-09-12, 02:21 PM

Hope it works out for you pal, how much water was coming from the exhaust?