Nov 12, 2025
3
0
Hi all,

I've a 1.8 FR with the Gen3 EA888.

Sometimes when I pull up I can see steam (not loads) from the bonnet. Coolant is dropping but only very slowly.

Changing the oil today, I thought I'd hunt around to see if I could identify the location. I know that the waterpump is a likely culprit but I'm not going to just spend £300+ and take a days leave to change it only for it to turn out to be something else!


Strangely, I've noticed damp on TOP of the I let manifold. Maybe unrelated.

Some other possible areas....

This one, a coolant coloured drip of the injector rail, how would it get there?
1000008799.jpg


Some residue on the oil pan..white...could that be coolant or is it road salt maybe? I don't think it's this one. But never seen white residue on an oil pan before, then again all my other cars have always had a smooth metal pan.

1000008801.jpg


Could it be this coolant connection near the turbo, which I see from Google is common. It's such a hot area...no moisture there, but there is some crusty residue (but it's not G13 coloured!).

1000008800.jpg



Underside of the waterpump looks OK to me? It's on 80k, I believe. 2018 car.

1000008804.jpg


This coolant hose looks like a possibility? Maybe I could switch out that clamp for a stainless jubilee clip?

1000008802.jpg


Last thing - my header tank was still the original 'mit silika', so I changed it for a brand new one (and new cap), without. Will see if it's still doing it later today, would be nice if the new tank/cap resolved it but I think it's unlikely.

Cheers in advance for anyone's help.
 
For the sake of future-proofing your vehicle, you'd be better off replacing the thermostat unit and water pump.

Both well know to leak on the EA.888
 
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