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[terry paget]

2008 Vectra 1.8 petrol manual hatchback 101,000 miles
Slow coolant loss. I cannot see any leaks, steam, or coolant under car. No damp carpets, I don't think the car has a heater bypass valve. Might it be a cracked header tank pipe conection? I recall DG recommending pricing in a new radiator when I was looking at a used Vectra of similar mileage.

[dave the builder]

any steam from the exhaust - head gasket  water in the oil,high oil level etc
wet footwell carpets -heater matrix 
pipes into the bulkhead for heater matrix
remove the grill and look closer at the rad
water pump
small leaks are hard to find , tissue paper will wrap round pipes etc and show if it leaks
fresh cardboard under may show where it drips

[Doctor Gollum]

A pint says radiator or coolant cap

[zirk]

A pint says radiator or coolant cap

Probably Cap they break up into pieces under the Cap.

[terry paget]

Thanks for advice.
The coolant level in the header tank used to rise as the coolant heated and expanded, then fell back as coolant cooled. After changing the cap the coolant level falls as the engine heats up, but if I remove the cap coolant level rises back to the line, and I hear a hiss of released pressure. Faulty cap seems likely.

[zirk]

Thanks for advice.
The coolant level in the header tank used to rise as the coolant heated and expanded, then fell back as coolant cooled. After changing the cap the coolant level falls as the engine heats up, but if I remove the cap coolant level rises back to the line, and I hear a hiss of released pressure. Faulty cap seems likely.

Sounds like it could be pissing out the cap and now youve got air in the system

[Doctor Gollum]

Having a built in overflow channel doesn't help either

[Andy B]

...... the coolant level falls as the engine heats up, but if I remove the cap coolant level rises back to the line, and I hear a hiss of released pressure.  ......

That sounds correct to me .....

[terry paget]

Having sorted out my 3 Astras, I return to the coolant loss in the Vectra.
I have tried 3 different caps, no cure.
No steam from the exhaust, or sign of water in the oil (not milky). Oil level not rising, not falling much either. Carpets do not feel wet, though I have not peeled them back yet.
I removed the front bumper, but all that revealed was the aircon condenser. Ran the engine for an hour with the bumper off and new cardboard under the engine - no sign of leaks and no wet patches on the cardboard. Coolant level remained the same for the hour, but fell on cooling. After lunch topped up coolant, went for 12 mile drive, returned home, no apparent coolant loss.
Haynes says the electronic throttle makes compression tests difficult. I considered draining the oil and looking for coolant in it.
No sign of coolant near the water pump.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Maybe it's dripping on something hot and evaporating? 

Any funny smells under the bonnet? 

[Doctor Gollum]

The drain from the tank overflow runs straight down the bulkhead behind the tank.

Scuttle design is very different to the Omega, so don't expect to find it inside the car.

The only hint will be pink stains on the overflow, but you won't easily see them with a bit of age on the tank plastic 

[terry paget]

The drain from the tank overflow runs straight down the bulkhead behind the tank.

Scuttle design is very different to the Omega, so don't expect to find it inside the car.

The only hint will be pink stains on the overflow, but you won't easily see them with a bit of age on the tank plastic 

Thanks Doc, so it does. No obvious pink stain, though. I have just swopped caps with Astras, maybe they are all dodgy.

[Andy A]

I've had the same problem on my Desmond for the past few years. Still can't find out where the leak is. I put a genuine new cap on and it is still the same. 

Hope you have better luck with yours Terry. 

[dave the builder]

put a pipe on the cap overflow and run it down to a small pop bottle or similar (secure with tape or cable ties to something) ,to collect any coolant IF it is the cap leaking
at least you'll know then after a few drives

[terry paget]

This morning before breakfast I removed the header tank cap. After breakfast I found a puddle inside the LH front wheel, and a drip from the beneath LH end of the radiator. So DG wins his pint - fault is radiator.

I see lots on e-bay about £29, cheap enough. Any advice?