Ran the car up today, monitoring temps via phone.
Couldn't see any leaks from above, no staining in V, pipes pressurized but still squeezable.
After about 10 mins gauge was sat at 3/4 as normal. Water temp settled around 89 degrees idling revved the engine a little to 2500 for a short time then looked under car an can see water dripping every 4-5 seconds from driver side of the tray, so I do have a leak! Previous checks had turned up nothing, so at least there is something visible now.
Did notice that the passenger side air flow cooled off for a few minutes before I noticed the leak, driver side stayed constantly hot.
Time to book her in.
Also think i have the start of the death rattle in the manifold - noticed a rattling coming and going which I've not heard before
