Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: SMD on 05 May 2013, 23:29:38
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Noticed a slight coolant leak between the engine and gearbox, couldn't tell where its coming from when I was underneath the car. I took some very poor pictures and but hope someone will have an idea. HBV?
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t440/Zaf_Yousef/IMAG0643_zps047008ab.jpg) (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/Zaf_Yousef/media/IMAG0643_zps047008ab.jpg.html)
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t440/Zaf_Yousef/IMAG0644_zps6842afff.jpg) (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/Zaf_Yousef/media/IMAG0644_zps6842afff.jpg.html)
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t440/Zaf_Yousef/IMAG0645_zpsb5b1e099.jpg) (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/Zaf_Yousef/media/IMAG0645_zpsb5b1e099.jpg.html)
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t440/Zaf_Yousef/IMAG0647_zpsd4adb89b.jpg) (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/Zaf_Yousef/media/IMAG0647_zpsd4adb89b.jpg.html)
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t440/Zaf_Yousef/IMAG0648_zps497898d0.jpg) (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/Zaf_Yousef/media/IMAG0648_zps497898d0.jpg.html)
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Yep probably hbv ;)
Could also be coolant bridge seals, hose from coolant bridge to hbv (normally at coolant bridge end) or oil cooler cover.
HTH :y
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I have no idea where those things are located, except for the HBV
Coolant bridge is inside the inlet isn't it ?
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Coolant Bridge is in the middle of the V, best to take the inlet manifold off, you can see it at the back :y
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I put the plenum back a few hours ago after a breather clean. :( Can't he bothered to do it again. Fix one problem, another pops up. How can I rule out the HBV?
Don't don't if this is related but the temp guage is playing up. Cools slightly on a run and warms in traffic indicating a thermostat issue
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I put the plenum back a few hours ago after a breather clean. :( Can't he bothered to do it again. Fix one problem, another pops up. How can I rule out the HBV?
Don't don't if this is related but the temp guage is playing up. Cools slightly on a run and warms in traffic indicating a thermostat issue
hbv can leak only when hot--sometimes-I had a leak on mine that only occurred when heater being used :o they are the work of the devil-damn things :y
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My previous experience with leaking HBV was that when the heater was on full heat it didn't leak. This was a 3-4 years ago though so my memory might be playing tricks. After I came back from a drive today, had the aircon on LO, looked under the car and it was dripping.
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Probably condensation from the A/C in your case, which is nothing to worry about. ;)
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Probably condensation from the A/C in your case, which is nothing to worry about. ;)
Red condensation?...Albsheimers again?
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I would also check the coolant transfer pipe to block seal. Follow the coolant pipe back around the engine and have a good feel about. When mine was leaking it ran down the drivers side of the gearbox.
It's an arse to get to but can be sorted easily enough.
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The leak is just off centre to the drivers side of the gearbox. Will search the forum for this pipe tomorrow when I have time. Where does this pipe run from and end up?
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When I removed the sump yesterday I found a little o ring (about 12mm) at the bottom of the sump. No idea how that could have gotten there because this was a new sump fitted last November. Just searched coolant transfer pipe and an o ring was mentioned, hence remembering.
or it could be nothing, its late ;D
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That sounds like one of the O rings from the cam cover :-\
HBV can fail at a variety of settings, it is just a case of working out which temperature setting minimizes the coolant loss :y
They are basically guaranteed to fail somewhere between 80 and 100k, mine is on its third ::)
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The coolant transfer pipe runs from the radiator hose on the left of the rad, along the side of the engine above the exhaust manifold, then it curves round behind the left bank to bolt on at the back.
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The HBV was last replaced 4-6 years ago according to the service history so I guess its due another. The more I search, its looking likely that it is the culprit. Other members reported leaks around the gearbox bellhousing area where mine is. Although its not loosing much coolant now, it will let go spectacularly soon I think like my previous Omega did.
I want to rule this out first before I look into the V. If I was to start the car, leave it in P and turn the climate on LO and feel around the back, should it leak if the HBV is faulty?
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May do on LO, may do on HI - depends where the leak is on the hbv - just try the extremes HI/LO and feel/look around hbv ;)
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Ran the car with the climate on HI and LO and felt around the HBV and its bone dry. Drove it, again with climate on HI/LO but when I returned the engine bay was too hot ::). But when I looked under the car, there was not a drip.
Could the HBV leak with the aircon off? Or shall I look elsewhere?
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Hbv leaks regardless off aircon use. If ok when on Hi or Lo you will probably find water pours out of it when set to 19-23 degrees :y
Once removed the point of failure should be obvious :y
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Thanks al
Will give it a go tomorrow. Does it matter if car is idling? It would give me a chance to get my hands in there before it gets too hot
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Check it cold, then run it upto temp, might only leak when hot and under pressure, ie when waterpump is actually doing summat :-\
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Well I pretty confident the HBV is not leaking. Felt around the front and back and its bone dry. :( I was hoping it would be the cause of the leak as its something I can do myself.