On 10 Aug 2003 04:55:14 -0700, kevster123@iname.com (Kev) wrote:

>strange thing is that the reserve tank is full even though I saw at
>least half a litre leak from under the engine bay kinda on the right
>side.

You mean right side looking from the back of the car forwards? That's
where all the hoses are so it may be just a leaking hose. If it's the
other side that's where the water pump is and a leak there is going to cost
more $$.

Also check for the leak at the ends of the cross-pipe which goes from the
thermostat housing across the back of the engine to the water pump housing
- kinda unusual but not impossible.

>Saw some spattering around near the thermostat housing near the engine
>block, but was too dark to locate the exact leak. I basically, filled
>the radiator top with about 2 litres of distilled water, and drove it
>about 10km home without the temperature gauge going above normal
>operating levels.
>
>So what could be happening here? Reserve tank is still full, so it
>must be leaking from the engine block?
>
>If anyone's seen this before, please let me know. GEeeez, I wonder
>what I'm gonna be in for....
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Kev
>
>NB I've also notice a burning smell when I'm in the car and the car's
>been stopped a while at the lights, same smell as really hot brake
>pads, I wonder if it could be something else under the bonnet.
>
>Also, the ground connection from the -ve terminal of my battery has
>been eaten away by the battery corrosion... how bad is it to drive
>without a ground to the body of the car?

There must be *some* ground contact or nothing electrical would work...
including the ignition. You need a new battery - leaking and corrosion
like that is not normal - and a new connector... or cable depending on how
bad the corrosion is.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??