Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Our trusty Skoda Roomster has sprung a coolant leak - booked in next week but we kinda need to use it a couple of times before then, hoping it's not the pump but fucking probably will be.

From topping it up to the max to the coolant warning light coming on is taking ~half an hour so it's a steady dribble, on the days we need to use it (for about haf an hour) would we be ok to add a bit extra on the basis that the excess will have pissed out by the time it's up to temp anyway, to give us a bit of a margin?

The other car is in for an MOT as we speak - that'll probably be fucked too! FFFFFFFUUUUU

Can you see where the coolant is leaking from? If it's headgasket rather than a leak I'd say don't do that.

I'd try and diagnose the source of the leak before going too gung ho.

It leaking to the point that the light comes on in half an hour is not an insignificant leak, lol.
Also coolant is sweet to taste but deadly if consumed - not really a problem for people but can often kill cats/pets that fancy a drink from the puddle - so not really ideal to be leaking all over the place IMO.

I had a poorly seated o-ring giving me a bit of a dribble that took weeks for the light to come on - that’s what I’d call a steady dribble tbh.

I had a quick look last night with the engine running - doesn't look like the head gasket, seems to be coming from the back of the engine, low down, but can't see exactly as there's a cross member in the way, hopefully the mini sails through the MOT & we don't need to risk it!

@Nef Good point about the coolant puddles though - we're 2 mins from the motorway so it's been spread pretty thin along there, it's not leaking while engine is off which is giving me the fear but hopefully it's a small split in a hose whch can't take the pressure when it's running & not the pump...

split hose between pump and manifold/ carb? (what happened on my old DS)

@Dammit sounds familiar! https://amp.theguardian.com/money/2023/aug/16/mercedes-has-refused-to-pay-for-a-repair-to-my-rusty-car

That's what i'm hoping for, the timing belt was done a couple of years ago so hoping it isn't the pump! In other news the Mini only needed a rear caliper & some pads for the MOT so we have one functional car, might even wash it in celebration.

Getting mine ready for the annual Cornwall trip. Last summer after 7 hours I had a burnt right arm and left leg…

This year I am replacing the thermostat that triggers the magnetic fan behind the radiator as I noticed that it’s getting very hot in traffic…and after testing last night confirmed the thermostat is dead.

About par for the course, last year I replaced the water pump and re-fitted it the morning before we departed for Cornwall. My wife hates me..

Which engine is it?

You're going to have a category marker against it if you go through insurance. Something to consider if you are thinking about resale.

Mate a 2k repair on an 18k car isn't going to be a category marker.

Ah I thought that any car that had repair would have a marker put on it but is that only it they are written off?

Would it show as been in an accident on the likes of Car Vertical or something?

i have no expertise but roomster is one of my dream cars

1.6 diesel - 2014/15 I think

They're great - we nearly bought a red one which looked like postman pat's van, would have been awesome.

This is ours, next to some vastly inferior automobiles at a fancy hotel in the highlands - car park was pretty busy but there was always a couple of empty spaces next to us, such is the respect it commands.

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This is peak @amey content.

I'm amazed that the porter didn't leave it out front to avoid the space issue in the car park.

I love my roomster which replaced my combi van as the bike lugger (1.6 petrol, auto with the completely unnecessary tiptronic gearbox) but the electric windows, which keep packing in and are a known weakness, in it are a major pain in the arse. If it wasn’t for that it would be perfect.
@mcJ78 I see you have the flashy scout version

Yeah, not sure if there's any mechanical difference but it's jazzy enough for me

Question. We have Admiral Multicar insurance. My daughter passed her test today and they have been advised (at a cost). Will she earn her own no claims discount as part of the Multicar Policy?

Not as a named driver I don’t think. Only if she’s the principal driver on a car on the policy (ie you have a car, she has a car).

That’s the situation. She has a car, as do I.

Admiral are not winning many friends at the moment apparently....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66521490

Then she should gain no claims as that vehicle will have its own policy under the group one.

We have been insured with them for a number of years and they have been the cheapest - by far. Renewal is in a couple of months and I will ring around but I would expect they will still be cheapest. Their renewal for two cars is usually another company’s quote for one.