another losing water post!

**ad777** · 03-10-2011,10:29 AM

hi all am just waiting to get waterpump timing belt done, am sure pump knackered as very little water going through return pipe.
am having to use car for emergencies,when i do am loosing a bit of water each time out of overflow on header tank.
my question is would a failed waterpump cause this, a build up of pressure somehow?
am worried head gone.when i do drive it temp sits at 90 perfectly,no oily water etc.
if anyone has had this problem and fixed it by changing waterpump,please put my mind at rest!!
help appreciated,as ever.

**Crasher** · 03-10-2011,10:46 AM

Is it a 130 PD TDI?

**ad777** · 03-10-2011,12:31 PM

hi crasher,ta for quick reply,yip,that the model,not bad news i hope?!

**Crasher** · 03-10-2011,01:02 PM

If it only looses water when driven hard and it is clearly coming out of the expansion tank then I have seen this a lot on the 130PD and it is normally the head gasket.

**ad777** · 03-10-2011,01:08 PM

thanks!knackered waterpump cant give the same symptoms?
is there anyway to pressure test for gasket leak?dont want to do belt and pump,just to find gasket gone,
thanks again,adam

**Crasher** · 03-10-2011,01:13 PM

A failed water pump would be much more obvious. Unfortunately it is very hard to test the head gasket, often it is a case of do the job and pray that you are right. Even when the head is off it is often impossible to see where the gasket has failed.

**ad777** · 03-10-2011,03:04 PM

ok thanks again.one last question,i saw in a petrol version thread it was possible to take out the thermostat,and check if the waterpump was ok by feeling inside,does that make any sense?!and if so can it be done on my car?and also, is there a "right" way to put in thermostat, i replaced it recently, was wondering if i could have blocked off the flow, grabbing at straws,i know!!