What Is My Recently Purchased 2014 Peugeot 208 GTi Leaking?

[Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 16:35
Last edited 22/02/2018 - 18:12 by 1 other user

Hi OzBargainers,

I purchased a car on Monday - 2014 Peugeot 208 GTi with 49,000k's. Logbooks were perfect every 6 months from dealer. Major service done 600k's ago.

I noticed the morning after I bought it that there was a pool of fluid on the ground

I also noticed that over the course of the last few days my coolant has been getting lower. It's the same colour so it made sense.

When I went looking for the source I found this on the engine near the passenger side.

On the left hand side of the picture you can see what looks to me like a crack in the metal block with fluid coming out.

This is underneath the car

Is this block somehow connected to the coolant system or is it another problem?

Thanks for your help.

Video of the crack in the metal case

Video of underneath the car

Automotive

Comments

  • cypher67 on 22/02/2018 - 16:49
    +1

    That's headlight fluid for sure. Narh looks like an oil leak not Coolant. Call the lube mobile to have a look straight away.

  • Malarkey on 22/02/2018 - 16:54
    +1

    "New Car"
    "2014 Peugeot 208 GTi with 49,900k's"

    Well which one is it?

    • EightImmortals on 22/02/2018 - 16:55
      +4

      New secondhand. :)

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 16:57

      New to me that's clearly used. Sorry.

      • altomic on 22/02/2018 - 17:58
        +1

        update title?

  • EightImmortals on 22/02/2018 - 16:55
    +1

    Did you buy from a dealership?
    If so you'll have stat warranty for the repairs.
    But yeah, don't procrastinate with leaks.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 16:57

      Yes, I have it booked it to get looked at, would like to know what I'm dealing with however.

  • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 17:10
    +13

    Stand back! Real mechanic coming though. Hold my beer, I got this…

    Does it feel like oil or water?

    It feels like…

    Water: It could be a problem with a coolant hose or gasket above where it is coming down from above that photo. Maybe water pump seal?? I cant see enough of the engine to determine that. If it dries off the engine over time, it's coolant. If it still looks wet the next morning it could be oil…

    Oil: It almost looks to me like transmission fluid in the 2nd photo and to me it's possibly leaking out of the output drive shaft seal and down the drive shaft. BUT, in the 3rd photo, where it is dripping from, it could possibly be a rear engine oil or front gearbox oil seal.

    If oil is really thin and slippery, it's a sign it's transmission oil. If it feels thicker and a bit tacky, engine oil

    Either way, you need to get that car in ASAP, as coolant leak means over heat. Oil leak means major component damage.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 17:20

      A real mechanic, fantastic.

      I took a few videos if it helped you get a better idea.

      I'm confused because it feels slightly thicker than water but thinner than oil. It will evaporate from my finger after 30mins.

      Video of the crack in the metal case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW7SLVDbVBc

      Video of underneath the car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AXB2ch8yow&t=36s

      • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 17:52
        +2

        Ok, the video helps orientation of what I am looking at.

        I will preface this by saying I have very limited experience with Peugeot cars…

        Where that "crack" appears to be is in the end of the gearbox. After some of the footage I saw, I'm certain that is isn't an output shaft seal. The inner CV joint is dry.

        It is quite high up on the gearbox and doesn't look like a gasket or seal leak and yes, it possibly looked like a cracked casing. Unfortunately, I am on my phone, but I will relook at the video when I get back to my PC and can full-size it.

        Is it manual or automatic? As they use different oils in them. It looks more like manual gearbox oil than auto due to the brown rather than red colour.

        Water on your fingers would dissipate quite quickly, oil would not. If it takes 30mins, I would suggest oil, and it's not "evaporating" more like "soaking in".

        I also don't think it is coolant, as coolant, when it dries tends to leave a coloured stain and/or a powdery residue.

        Either way, you need to stop driving it and get it looked at ASAP. If it is leaking that much on the floor, it's leaking quite heavily. If it is a gearbox case cracked, you could end up wrecking the whole box if you continue to drive it.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 18:39

          Yea it's a manual gearbox. Oil stains usually linger on my garage floor but this one has disappeared. It only leaked that much on the first day. Only getting the odd drop or two now. There also looks like there's white powdery stuff under the car.

          So your suggesting it's manual gearbox oil from a crack in the gearbox.

        • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 19:21
          +2

          @Mysterymeat:

          If the fluid is evaporating, it is coolant. If it's just pooling up and making a mess, it's oil. Pour some water in it. If it mixes, it's coolant, if it doesn't, it's oil…

          The best thing you can try is where the "crack" is on the gearbox casing is, make an imaginary line vertically up from there. See what is sitting directly above it. A hose or a cable?? Run your hand/fingers along the bottom of the hose/cable an see if it is wet. If it is, track where that wetness is coming from further up that hose. Keep following the trail back. You will eventually find where it is coming from.

  • npc on 22/02/2018 - 17:27
    +8

    What Is My New Car Leaking? - Because it is Peugeot, nothing out of ordinary.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 17:30

      Not helpful…

      • npc on 22/02/2018 - 17:33
        +1

        Sorry, not helpful in this case. But is a good piece of information for someone who is going to double check the awful quality of French cars. BTW - I was stupid enough to have 2 in the past.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 17:36

          I've had 3 other french cars that never had a problem. This engine was actually built by BMW for the mini cooper so it's their work.

        • npc on 22/02/2018 - 17:47
          +1

          @Mysterymeat: BMW was never well regarded reliability wise. And Mini with their engines were on the top of the "troublesome" cars lists for a while… nothing to be proud of unfortunately.

          You probably know what AL4 means in relation to the French cars, since you had 3:))

  • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 17:45
    +2

    Probably something higher up than the video shows. Definitely dried crusty coolant stains on the gearbox but is coming from further up. Could be a dodgy plastic fitting (I’m looking at you BMW upsell department), leaking hose clamp or worse still a leaking head gasket. The coolant definitely looks old though. Look from the top of the engine and trace the stain up.

    • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 18:01
      +1

      Yeah, I'm torn between old, shitty coolant (or weird arse Peugeot proprietary bullshit coolant) or manual gearbox oil. There is old traces of what looks like dried coolant with that powdery looking tracks, but that photo of the leak onto the floor looks like oil and the rusty drive shaft almost looks wet with oil, not coolant…

      I'll be Keen to see what OP comes back from the dealer with…

    • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 20:35
      +1

      OP posted a photo of the coolant bottle below… seems it was "weird arse Peugeot proprietary bullshit coolant" judging by the colour…

  • aussieprepper on 22/02/2018 - 18:17
    +2

    Why would you buy a Peugeot? Did they kidnap you and make you buy it?

    It looks like fresh engine oil. When was the last service?

    Worse case scenario would be coolant has mixed with engine oil meaning a blown head gasket?

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 18:26
      +2

      Because this is an amazing car to drive. Not like the boring Toyota corollas most people have. It also came with a 3.5 year warranty so I wasn't concerned with any mechanical issues. They are also bargain buys because of the reputation they have.

      • Cartman2530 on 22/02/2018 - 19:13
        +1

        Why do people say this? I drove a BMW built 2012 mini cooper and my Toyota Echo craps all over it in terms of handling. Not to mention reliability!

        The Echo interior/exterior may be "boring" but the handling dynamics are not. Unless you get off on swanky interiors of course.

        In terms of handling I would second the Echo to the Suzuki Cappuccino that I owned previously. Of course the FWD Echo vs RWD Cappuccino put the Cappuccino firmly in first!

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 19:15

          This is a 147kw 275nm hot hatch. I'm not saying Toyota are bad cars just that it would be competing with the 86 not an echo.

        • notme53 on 22/02/2018 - 20:50

          What age Echo? I had a 2006 for a while and now I’m dead inside. I’ve got a Mazda 3 now, it’s marginally better but still not what I’d call fun. A family member has a BMW E46 323i wagon, that thing is a blast. Smile on my face the whole time, just hearing the straight 6 is enough but then the way it drives as well. It can cruise along effortlessly or flow through a winding mountain pass with so much feedback & control. Really well sorted.

        • blitz on 22/02/2018 - 22:16
          +1

          @notme53:

          STAND ASIDE I HAVE A VOLVO

      • theclearout on 22/02/2018 - 19:16

        If it came with a 3.5 year warranty why are you posting here?
        Just take it back to the people that provided you the warranty and have it fixed.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 19:18

          I am but it would be nice to know what's actually wrong with it so that I can make sure it gets fixed. I've known dealers in the past that do the bare minimum before giving it the okay. If I can walk in there and say it's leaking from the gearbox and actually sound like I know what I'm talking about they are more likely to fix it the right way.

    • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 19:33

      coolant has mixed with engine oil meaning a blown head gasket?

      Worst diagnosis of head gasket failure ever. This exhibits very little in the way of blown head gasket. OP is not complaining of any symptoms that typically comes with a blown head gasket. Over heating, steam from exhaust, low power, strange noises like chuffing, hard starting, running rough, milky coloured oil, oil consumption, severe oil leaks, over pressurised cooling system…

      • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 19:53

        I'm still convinced it's an issue with the coolant system. This is the colour of my coolant: https://s13.postimg.org/hyobe349j/Coolant_colour.jpg oil coloured

        Also read this forum OP has a near identical car in terms of year and k's: http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/peugeot-forum/126377-208-gt…

        There might also be a leak in the gearbox.

        • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 20:30
          +8

          I'll reply here, because it's started to get disjointed, and this is the latest photo posts…

          I watched the videos on the PC and get much better definition ot of it. I took some screenshots and uploaded them with some notes…

          Screenshots here.

          My thoughts, now I have had a clear look at the videos AND the new information on the coolant colour you posted, it is definitely a coolant leak, and here's why…

          Photo 1, A: This is the staining and powdery look I mentioned above. You can even see a drop of coolant that is half wet and half dry in the top circle right where the point of the A is pointing at.

          Photo 2, B: Same dried, stained powdery looking marks where the coolant has run down and dried. Oil would not look like that.

          Photo 2, C: All of this is water type spatter. Oil does not typically spatter like that, and you can see in the circles that it has dried out.

          Photo 3, D: Still hard to see, but I doubt this is a crack. This is the point at which the coolant is dropping onto the gear box. It's just totally in the wrong place for a crack.

          Photo 3, E: I don’t know what this is. Some kind of connector? and the hose that runs away from it? If it is a line with coolant in it, that connector could be leaking, or that hose may have rubbed through?

          As I said above, come up vertically from that "crack" (that isn’t a crack) and start seeing where you can find wet areas up higher. There will be a hose, maybe a big radiator hose, maybe a heater hose, maybe a bleeder line above that is dripping down. But it is a safe bet, that your symptoms match "coolant leak".

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 20:49
          +1

          @pegaxs: You're the best. Thank you for taking the time out of your night to help me. I really appreciate it. Let me go searching for the wet area.

        • spackbace on 23/02/2018 - 02:01
          +4

          @Mysterymeat:

          Let me go searching for the wet area

          😉😂😂

        • pegaxs on 23/02/2018 - 07:53
          +1

          @Spackbace:

          Throw some flour down and roll her in it, eh, spac?? :D

        • Roney on 23/02/2018 - 14:49

          @pegaxs: Hey pegaxs, you are a LEGEND! Us Ozbargainers appreciate you in the forum.

        • pegaxs on 23/02/2018 - 16:56
          +1

          @Roney:

          Cheers, @Roney. I try my best. I do upset some from time to time, though. :D

          I know a lot of people appreciate me, my inbox explodes from time to time with questions, so I do feel appreciated.

      • aussieprepper on 22/02/2018 - 21:10

        If its a small leak you will not notice? It would take a big leak to get lose of power? I did say worse case scenario! It could be any thing mixed in with the oil.

        I know what you mean about the car i have a Datsun with a SR20 in it but i still wouldn't buy a Peugeot. You could score a Polo GTI for around the same price but probably older?

  • chumlee on 22/02/2018 - 19:51
    +2

    Definately maple syrup

    • npc on 22/02/2018 - 20:11

      Champagne only!

    • pegaxs on 22/02/2018 - 20:15
      +4

      Definately maple syrup

      Peugeot… Secret is out… it's French Canadian!

  • Gotchas on 22/02/2018 - 20:40

    Bit off topic but how much did you pay for this car?

    • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 20:50

      $12000 with a 3 year warranty thrown in. They were over 30k new. Here it is: https://postimg.org/image/e4fpdbgqr/

      • PinzVidz on 22/02/2018 - 21:26
        +2

        Dealer probably traded it for $2K. Previous owner was glad to see the rear end of it…

      • Gotchas on 22/02/2018 - 21:32

        Good bang for buck car
        I’m not a fan of Peugeot’s but some people i know swear by them
        Sceptical about the warranty though

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 21:42

          It's from large Mazda dealership. They said I need to service the car with them, only covers repairs up to $1000 and gave me a list of exclusions. Just the big stuff like head gasket and also seals.

        • Presence on 22/02/2018 - 22:19
          +3

          @Mysterymeat:
          So the warranty is basically worthless?

        • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2018 - 22:20

          @Presence: It was free so yes, it was worthless to me lol.

        • Gotchas on 23/02/2018 - 07:34
          +2

          @Mysterymeat:
          I’m going against the tide, not only is it worthless but a liability as it encourages you to use them and them slugging you thousands extra between services and repairs

          Op you’re still covered under ACL and see a similar post about someone getting his VW fixed without charge

        • JIMB0 on 23/02/2018 - 17:20

          @Presence: These warranties usually exclude most things that are likely to go wrong on an old car such as the cooling system.

  • BobD on 23/02/2018 - 08:06
    +2

    Just a thought, the leaking is now much reduced. I wonder if that could be due to a lack of coolant. Have you checked it lately?

  • smux on 23/02/2018 - 09:28
    +1

    Isn't a condition of being roadworthy (at least in Victoria) that the car is not leaking anything? The mechanic who does the roadworthy even takes photos of underside of the car to provide to Vicroads (not sure if they're submitted straight away or only if there's an issue). Anyway, the dealer should arrange for it to be fixed of course, because if it was leaking when they sold it to you, then it was unroadworthy.

    • pegaxs on 23/02/2018 - 17:01
      +2

      I believe that oil leaks are a roadworthy item, but coolant leaks are not. I used to work in Vic, but currently work in NSW and the rule here regarding leaks from your car is; oil leak, no RWC, coolant leak , ok.

      And yes, if OP only picked it up Monday and saw this on/or around Wednesday, take it straight back. While it would not be unroadworthy, this leak didn’t just happen between Monday and Wednesday, so It looks like a lazy service department pre-sale inspection…

      Edit: From the Victorian Roadworthy Handbook, Page 8, Section J - Engine & Driveline

      Dampness, weeping or staining are acceptable
      but oil leaking from the underside of the vehicle to such
      an extent that it is likely to drop oil on the road surface (if
      the vehicle is parked or idling stationary for any length of
      time) is unacceptable.

      Nothing about "coolant" other than dampness being "acceptable"

      • smux on 24/02/2018 - 00:08

        Can't argue with that 👍

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