ok finally had the chance to get the car jacked up to investigate my water leak problem.

when open the rad cap there's no water in there. pour a pint in, and its dripping out straight away (well after about 10 secs) from beneath the engine. narrowed it down to behind the top pulley, where the two rad pipes go into the top of the engine, i can see a thin stream of water drip onto the arm of the top pulley, about 5cm back from the pulley itself.

any idea what this could be? a hose or gasket? or something worse :(

could be the water pump!!!

The water pump or the two hoses that feed it,either way you should replace both hoses and the pump,Its around the same labour charge as fitting a new timing belt. IMHO I would also change that too as it will be contaminated with antifreeze.

as above you may aswell change the belt and the hoses while your there.

As above Dave!-also check the steel stubs the hoses fit to these are usually rotten! ;)

If you pull the timing covers off you can get a much clearer view.

As above Dave!-also check the steel stubs the hoses fit to these are usually rotten! ;)

If you pull the timing covers off you can get a much clearer view.

 

 

Yep, agreed, most likely candidate (along with water pump). Stubby pipes are about £12 each, or were when I did mine.