Topic: Coolant leak (Read 2906 times)

al brown · « **on:** 13 July 2011, 15:17:14 »

Hi all, coolant seems to be coming from passenger side of engine area. You can see it when you look up towards the oil filter. Looks to be leaking from the exhaust manifold but cant see any further up than that and cant see anything from above. Only leaks when running and is only the odd drip.
Does anyone know what is in that general area that could leak? Any ideas are more than welcome before I go stripping the inlet sytem apart for a better look.
Cheers Al

mikeh · « **Reply #1 on:** 08 October 2011, 14:54:33 »

Hi,
I have the same problem. Coolant running down between oil filter and gear box.
Have removed windscreen scuttle and its not coming from hbv. Anyone have ideas of likely souce of leak before I start removing plenum and more?
Thanks,
Mike.

bored bigyin54 · « **Reply #2 on:** 08 October 2011, 15:15:06 »

come and do mine got same problem got to take it off on monday more money to give out

bored bigyin54 · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 October 2011, 15:18:09 »

and then go to vauxhall for new pipe and get ripped off again by them

Varche · « **Reply #4 on:** 08 October 2011, 15:55:53 »

Al and Mike

What engines have you got and year?. You don't say and your profile doesn't say.

mikeh · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 October 2011, 17:05:03 »

Hi, I've got a 1999 V6 2.5 petrol mini-facelift.
Thanks, Mike

Darth Loo-knee · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 October 2011, 19:22:06 »

The best way to find water leaks is too pressurise the water system, then hunt for the sqirting or running water.....
HBV is always a good first port of call.

Hope that helps

Varche · « **Reply #7 on:** 08 October 2011, 20:56:27 »

Hi Mike

As Darth says try pressurising the system. Do a search on how to make up a DIY test kit on the net

I had a 98 model 2.5i with what you are describing. I never did find out what was wrong as I couldn't do the pressurising tests. I suspected it was either a failed head gasket at rear passenger corner or a failed external pipe round the back of the block. As it was my only car and I hadn't an engine hoist it was a nail in the cars coffin. One thing it wasn't HBV as I changed that(times).

Good luck with sorting yours. Maybe take it to one of the forum professionals for them to have a look.

Andy H · « **Reply #8 on:** 08 October 2011, 21:07:18 »

My 1994 2.5 V6 leaked from that area. It must have been doing it for some time before I got the car because the DIS was a rusty mess

Turned out to be a rotten head gasket.

mikeh · « **Reply #9 on:** 09 October 2011, 18:01:25 »

Thanks for the replies.
I've removed the plenum, inlet manifod and black mounting plate but haven't found source of leak.
Its definitely not the HBV.
Does anyone know where to buy a "quick release coupling" as per the pressure test maintenance guide : http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90671.0
Thanks,
Mike

Andy B · « **Reply #10 on:** 09 October 2011, 18:54:53 »

Quote from: mikeh on 09 October 2011, 18:01:25

Thanks for the replies.
I've removed the plenum, inlet manifod and black mounting plate but haven't found source of leak.
Its definitely not the HBV.
Does anyone know where to buy a "quick release coupling" as per the pressure test maintenance guide : http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90671.0
Thanks,
Mike

Did you check the HBV in various heat settings - both hot & cold and a/c on & off? It can make a difference.

I've never looked at that guide before. Snap connectors are all well & good if you can get them ~~from work~~ but it's a bit OTT. A simpler way is to 'acquire' another header tank cap, ask at a tyre place for a tyre valve, drill hole in your spare cap pull the new valve through the hole in the cap & pressurise the system via the valve!

Andy B · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 October 2011, 19:01:15 »

If only I'd clicked the link to Razzo's guide on your link

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90598.0

feeutfo · « **Reply #12 on:** 09 October 2011, 19:18:52 »

Or just seal your mouth round the water Bottle opening and blow. Doesn't taste nice though.

feeutfo · « **Reply #13 on:** 09 October 2011, 19:19:19 »

Quote from: chrisgixer on 09 October 2011, 19:18:52

Or just seal your mouth round the water Bottle opening and blow. Doesn't taste nice though.

Obviously will need an assistant though.

Andy B · « **Reply #14 on:** 09 October 2011, 19:23:21 »

Quote from: chrisgixer on 09 October 2011, 19:19:19

Quote from: chrisgixer on 09 October 2011, 19:18:52
Or just seal your mouth round the water Bottle opening and blow. Doesn't taste nice though.
Obviously will need an assistant though.

To look for the leaks? Or an assistant with a big gob?

My vote is for Razzo's shrader valve in a cap.

mikeh · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 October 2011, 18:18:20 »

Now have cap with valve (thanks Razzo) and can produce constant coolant dribble at will.
Its not coming from the HBV and not leaking into the 'V'. The source seems to be back of engine on passenger side.
What's next to come off for a better look or any ideas where its coming from.
Thanks,
Mike.

albitz · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 October 2011, 18:22:09 »

Core plug is possible.Might be worth using a mirror and a torch to see if it helps locate the leak. $:-\$

mikeh · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 October 2011, 18:28:15 »

Ok, thanks for the reply.
I'll try and make a mirror on a stick.

RobG · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 October 2011, 18:32:17 »

Quote from: mikeh on 10 October 2011, 18:18:20

Now have cap with valve (thanks Razzo) and can produce constant coolant dribble at will.
Its not coming from the HBV and not leaking into the 'V'. The source seems to be back of engine on passenger side.What's next to come off for a better look or any ideas where its coming from.
Thanks,
Mike.

HG is favourite in that position

mikeh · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 October 2011, 17:52:19 »

Still not sure where leak is coming from but I have a bigger problem now - water in oil.
I knew I had an oil cooler problem as there were traces of oil in the header tank.
Could pressurising a cold cooling system (about 1 bar) force coolant into the engine oil?
Thanks, Mike.

Andy H · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 October 2011, 21:56:02 »

Quote from: mikeh on 19 October 2011, 17:52:19

Still not sure where leak is coming from but I have a bigger problem now - water in oil.
I knew I had an oil cooler problem as there were traces of oil in the header tank.
Could pressurising a cold cooling system (about 1 bar) force coolant into the engine oil?
Thanks, Mike.

It shouldn't unless the heat exchanger is already weakened in some way.

The heat exchanger is made from multiple sheets of stainless steel welded together. It is very difficult to weld stainless steel to produce welds with the same characteristics as the components being welded. The chromium tends to migrate away from the weld to leave mild steel.

If you do have both rotten headgaskets and a failed oil cooler then it was probably caused by old antifreeze being left in the system long after its corrosion inhibiting properties had disappeared

Andy H · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 October 2011, 21:59:05 »

Just re-read your post.

If your oil cooler is already faulty then, yes, 1 bar cold pressure test could force coolant into the oil

mikeh · « **Reply #22 on:** 22 October 2011, 10:48:14 »

That's encouraging. Thanks for the reply.

MaxV6 · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 October 2011, 16:18:32 »

having suffered from a mystery leak like this 2 cars ago.... i've always kept an eye on such threads, have to say, it would seem the most common cause is head gasket at rear passenger corner of engine...

there are other causes, like transfer pipe o rings, and HBV, and so on, but the majority of cases seem to go though all those and then find it was the head gasket all along....

sorry not to be cheerful with an instant fix....

dbug · « **Reply #24 on:** 22 October 2011, 21:30:56 »

Just sorted this very issue today - 2.5 V6 Estate
Strip off plenum, inlet manifold and spacer plate - DO NOT drain cooling system before doing this.

With cap fitted to coolant reservoir, seal one of the cooling pipes removed from throttle body (pinching it closed will do), and blow down other to pressurise system.

In my case leak was right hand side back of engine, traced to b*ggered seals on coolant bridge (use a good light + mirror + feel to identify leak source). All sealing areas cleaned up and bridge refitted with new seals.

Also cleaned out breathers while I was at it - a good mornings work

amba · « **Reply #25 on:** 25 October 2011, 16:39:03 »

Looks like this could be contagious

Driving home this morning was greated with lots of steam and coolant level warning

Pulled over and steam pouring from under plenum and water dripping down back n/side of engine.Mangaed to top up and got car home.Did logical thing first and replaced hbv with new spare had in stock for some time,but on replacing and starting engine again water still leaking so looks like will require day off tomorrow and pull it to pieces and pressure up the system.

Hope it is same as yours dbug as have a set of coolant washers ready for my exhaust manifold change so may bite the bullet and do the lot in 1 hit

...well assuming it is the coolant bridge or some other pipework around the back.

Please let it not be core plug or worse as have been almost clinical with coolant condition over the years of my ownership and would like to see another year or so from the car.

andyc · « **Reply #26 on:** 25 October 2011, 17:09:03 »

I had the very same problem last year and finally got it down to either the core plug in the back of the head behind the coil pack or the head gasket.

You gussed it, the head gasket. Left hand bank at the back. So that ended up being both head gaskets, bolts, stat, oil, oil filter, coolant, belt kit, water pump and aux belt plus a belt cover and a rad. (kindly donated by TB)

On top of that both manifold down pipe bolts snapped and had four snapped manifiold studs in the heads so a weekens work ended up being a weeks work

Cheers
Andy

amba · « **Reply #27 on:** 25 October 2011, 19:29:36 »

I really didn,t want to be reading that

andyc.

From the amount of steam and the fact that when water gets to temp it seems to be rising from the plenum and under the joint to the inlet manifold I am hopefull it will be the coolant bridge or pipe around there that has let go and is only doing it under pressure.Lots of coolant running down the back of engine but again only when pressurised.

Will get the pump on it in the morning after removing all the top end stuff and have a good look around as sure it will be evident when pumped up

I am thinking its pipe etc as it let go without any warning and up till then had no evidence of any coolant leaking....water pump/cambelt etc all done less than 10k ago by DLK so fingers crossed $:-\$

JamesV6CDX · « **Reply #28 on:** 25 October 2011, 19:57:11 »

Should you not be able to do the work yourself, I am happy to do head gaskets for an excellent rate

amba · « **Reply #29 on:** 25 October 2011, 21:20:51 »

Thanks for offer James.

Will have a really good look in morning and get some pressure into the system which hopefully will show the culprit.

Perhaps you could drop me a pm with some indication of what costs are likely to be assuming "worst case senario" as I don,t live just around the corner either.

midnightmower · « **Reply #30 on:** 04 November 2011, 23:19:55 »

My 1999 2.6 had a leak at the back of the left (passenger side) cylinder head which was damaging the dis, 2 in fact. I pressureized the cooling system and could see a spurt. I believe the the head gasket has failed near a waterway. I needed to top up the reservoir at least every few weeks. I have inserted 1 bottle of K Seal which has stopped the leak since April 2011. K Seal was specifically developed for the leaking head gasket in the Rover K series engine which I also have. The Rover engine had a slight leak and after months of searching neither my garage or I could identify where it arose. This was years ago and I still have a leak free Rver engine!
Hope this helps
Paul

Varche · « **Reply #31 on:** 05 November 2011, 09:58:05 »

Something else to check while you have the scuttle off.

I had a pinhole leak in the rubber tube , just after the clip, that leads from the back of the engine to the HBV. I would recommend changing that pipe if you have to change your HBV. It is a beggar to do but must get a lot of grief down their from vibration and heat and oil mist

amba · « **Reply #32 on:** 05 November 2011, 10:22:41 »

Agree with Varche.

I found the spring pipe clip on the pipe from the coolant bridge to HBV had caused the pipe to wear ,probably due to movement when replacing hbv on previous jobs.

Pipe is less tha £10 from dealers and whilst you have it to bits is easier to do.

...also recommend replacing coolant bridge washers x4 as again easier access when pulled apart and little cost.

All of the above are potential causes of leaks

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Author Topic: Coolant leak (Read 2906 times)

feeutfo

feeutfo

albitz