Coolant header tanks splitting?

[MadOnVaux!]

My Dads '02 1.8 Elite had been smelling of coolant for a while, and we had been checking the level constantly, but only really noticed it dropping literally about 5 millimeter over the course of a couple of weeks, but as it was dropping, it needed careful attention...the car had been pressure tested when it went into the garage one day, but they said all was fine, but keep an eye on it.

Everything seemed normal enough and we kept checking it, until one day as he was driving along and i was in the car, the coolant warning light came on!, now i wasnt too sure how sensitive these are, so i just told him to stop the car immediately and i'd have a look....turns out they are alot more sensitive than the Cavalier and Calibra coolant sensors that i'm used to that only come on when the tank is almost empty lol, but the level was down more than it ever had been, approx an inch lower than the full mark.

I got a bottle of mixed coolant from Halfords, waited til the car was cold and topped the coolant upto the correct level, and noticed drips of coolant from the area behind the 'neck'...first i thought i had maybe over-shot the neck when i was filling, so i poured more in this time double checking that i didnt miss the neck, and i slightly overfilled the tank and the dripping increased, making me realise there was obviously a split in the header tank.

It was booked into the garage we use and they confirmed the tank was slightly split, and replaced it a few days later (Typical Vauxhall didnt have one in stockl!!) with a new one, all sorted

Only thing i wised i'd asked them to keep the old tank so i could see the split and put a pic on here.

I've never heard of this on the Vectra C, or any other Vauxhall for that matter, although i have heard of it on quite a few other manufacturers, sometimes the tank lets go completely when at pressure.

Has anyone else had this problem with their C?

[Marky76]

I had the same on my 07 3.0 v6, the level had been dropping since the summer and I just kept toping up until I saw it leaking from the back of the header tank.

Had it fixed back in December under warranty when I took to the dealer to have a belt and tensioners changed. Wasn’t impressed with it being filled way over the MAX mark when I got the car back though.

[MadOnVaux!]

I had the same on my 07 3.0 v6, the level had been dropping since the summer and I just kept toping up until I saw it leaking from the back of the header tank.

Had it fixed back in December under warranty when I took to the dealer to have a belt and tensioners changed. Wasn’t impressed with it being filled way over the MAX mark when I got the car back though.

Cheers Mark.

Does seem quite rare then really, and i know what you mean about it being overfilled, you'd think at a vauxhall dealer it would be spot on, but it never is.

I had an oil and filter change done on my Calibra at Vauxhall dealer once (O&F was on special offer i may add) and that was over full too! Halfwitts!

[tony-1977]

Just done a search and came across this thread... As you's probably know, I've a 2003 DTi SRi (2.2).

I topped up the coolant about 2 months ago and thought nothing of it. Last week I noticed a little "rainbow" in the rain on the ground under where I'd parked. I thought oil or diesel, but no, it's coolant. It's coming from the seam at the rear of the header tank, and I've not siphoned a bit out, so it's that seam, and it is now dry. Seems like the seal's gone in the seam. I've heard rumours of a recall for this? Or is it time to dig in my pockets for a header tank?

[ChrisBilly]

I've just had to replace mine, 52 1.8 sxi, £18 from the stealers. The level was dropping and there was coolant on the rim around the middle. Easy job, I found its best to leave the bottom hose until the bottle is off its mount to get better access to the clip.

[tony-1977]

My job for next week I guess Keeps me busy

[Exclusive BV]

I've heard of this happening a few times, leaking along the seam under pressure

Thankfully not a big job

[tony-1977]

I've heard of this happening a few times, leaking along the seam under pressure

Thankfully not a big job

It looks easy enough. Might take the opportunity to change the coolant too...