p reg golf keeps bleeping and losing coolant

[maccyboy]

Hi all, Im not mechanically minded in any sense so bare with me.

Right brought my first car a few months ago it's a vw golf mk3 96 plate. It's got full service history and MOT certificates.

58000 miles on the clock and has been running fine up until 2 days ago.

i normally only drive short distances at most 20 odd miles a day until 3 days ago.

I had to take my daughter to a hospital in London 50 miles there and 50 back. journey was fine both ways.

The next day took kids to school and on my return home the coolant temp light started flashing.

when I got back i had a word with my neighbour who knows a bit more than me about cars and he told me to top up the water tank and he checked over the joints and hoses for leaks. We could not find none. I drove the car later that day and the light came back on. when I checked the coolant tank all the water was gone.

I topped it up again and drove to a local hospital(accident prone other daughter) and the dashboard started beeping. 9 beeps to be exact.

I've checked the oil level and that's fine so it looks like im off to the garage but before I go I would like a bit of knowledge of what might be wrong and how much it will cost.

Sorry for the wall of text and thanks in advance

[BobProperty]

Can you tell us what engine it is? That will help people on here. If you are lucky there is a sticker on top of the engine timing belt cover, the code is usually 3 characters, sometimes 2.

When you say you do 10 miles a day, is that in total? Like 5 miles there, 5 miles back and a trip to the supermarket at the weekend? I think that's barely enough to get it warmed up. My other thought is the water pump because they seem to be a bit fussy, along with the coolant system in general, plus they are usually well hidden down the bottom back of the engine so not so easy to spot leaks.

[kite]

have the coolant system pressure tested, hopefully it will be a leak and not a failed headgasket

[maccyboy]

Hi mate thanks for the quick reply. the only numbers I could find where on the altinator thing (i think) they were 42/96/670

My driving day normaly goes kids to school 2 miles there and back. Wife into town shopping 3 miles there and back. pick kids up then to town and then home 4-5 miles. Total 9 to 10 miles a day.

About once a week Im draged further afield of about 24miles there and back to a shopping centre. Hope this helps

[maccyboy]

have the coolant system pressure tested, hopefully it will be a leak and not a failed headgasket

Hi you answered while I was typing the last post. Am I looking at a lot of money for a headgasket replacement as a worse case scenario.

Thanks

[kite]

not sure on price for a HG.
one thing at a time, find out where the water is going, a pressure test is the best start.

[maccyboy]

not sure on price for a HG.
one thing at a time, find out where the water is going, a pressure test is the best start.

Ok so im guessing about 20-30 GBP for a pressure test. Im only asking because iI dont want to be robbed blind. As I said Im a complete novice with cars if it was a computer problem I would be fine.

Edit: just remembered the fan is not running but I thought it did'nt kick in till the engine was running hot and i've only managed short journeys because of the coolant light coming on (did'nt want to do more damage)

[maccyboy]

Bit of a update someone told me to rev the engine and check the exhaust for water dripping out the pipe. I did this and there was a few drips probably more than it should, but my son noticed underneath the car where the engine is was a puddle of water.

So it looks like tomorrow a friend will help me find the leak underneath.

Still dont know what the 9 beeps are from the dashboard. I phoned a Vw dealer and he said normally lights on the dash would come on with the beeping. None the wiser their.

[maccyboy]

Hi again I've taken the car to a garage and the mechanic had a quick look at it and told me the water pump has gone.

To replace it would cost about £60 for a new pump and belt and £60 for labour total £120.

Someone else who knows a bit abit about car mechanics but is booked up helping all and sundry said its a straight forward job to do.

Anyone know of any guides or could help point me in the right direction to save me a few quid.