Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Malcolm_D on 31 August 2015, 11:36:23

Title: Coolant leak
Post by: Malcolm_D on 31 August 2015, 11:36:23
The leak appears from the near side of the car and drips off the underneath near where the crank shaft sensor is located. It is not a significant leak but is getting worse and is doing my head in!

I have replaced the HBV with a new genuine VX one, I have replaces the washers on the coolant bridge, again with VX, I have also replaced the o ring on the coolant transfer pipe - such a lovely job to do!

When Darth replaced the cambelt recently he noticed a bit of steam coming from the thermostat area.

So the plan now is to strip off the plenum, injector rail etc so that I can see the top of the oil cooler and other bits in the V, I am going to put pressure into the system (my local garage has offered to loan me a tool to do this) and hopefully I will be able see where the leak is.

The purpose of the post... If anyone has any advice I will happily listen.

 ;)
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Webby the Bear on 31 August 2015, 11:39:53
If it's around the crank sensor I'd be inspecting the top hose to thermostat connection
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: amba on 31 August 2015, 13:05:25
If the top hose  is fitted with a jubilee hose clip at the point it fits to the coolant transfer pipe worth checking it hasnt caused the hose to split .

Also check the top hose is fully pushed onto the transfer pipe . :y
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: vauxsull on 31 August 2015, 17:08:02
I thought you where not advised to have a jubilee clip on a hose connection as it doesn't " flex" like a proper hide clamp which is kinda spring loaded?
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: vauxsull on 31 August 2015, 17:08:41
Hide? Bloody fat thumbs again... " hose"
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: amba on 31 August 2015, 17:27:20
Given the location of the top hose/coolant transfer pipe and the limited space to get at I have used jubilee clips on my last 3 Omegas and between them have covered close to 250k miles. :)

Never had an issue as long as they are not crushed to within an inch of their lives and the hose is in good condition  ;)
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: gbh on 31 August 2015, 22:42:53
I too have a slight leak which i think is on the drivers side,it is very slight but on a decent run i would need to top up.When i changed the cam cover gaskets last week i noticed in the V crunchy dry white slight pinkish crud.There is a water connection there any ideas of gasket required/part nos?The plastic plenum bridge will need to come off is there a gasket under it?Thanks
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Malcolm_D on 10 September 2015, 23:00:56
Update

Having stripped the top end down so that I can see the top of the oil cooler and the thermostat I put some pressure into the coolant system using a tool kindly loaned by the garage I use for MOTs etc. There looked to be moisture appearing between the edge of the oil cooler and the head gasket. After cleaning and drying the area several time and watching very closely it seems that the near side edge of the oil cooler is leaking under pressure.

So my next job is going to be to remove and reseal the cover. I suppose it would be foolish not to replace the cooler at the same time even though it is not leaking?  :-\

The fact that my pride and joy is off the road again and in need of attention is not doing anything to convince SWMBO that it is a quality motor, especially when her S80 never misses a beat!  >:(
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Malcolm_D on 11 September 2015, 10:40:22
VX dealers wants £193.20 for the cooler radiator and plate!!! This doesn't include the sealant or any of the other smaller parts.  :o
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: biggriffin on 11 September 2015, 14:00:11
There have been a few kits on ebay.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: 05omegav6 on 11 September 2015, 14:28:15
There have been a few kits on ebay.
£145 rings a bell...
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 September 2015, 15:24:44
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genuine-Vauxhall-Vectra-Signum-2-5-2-6-3-2-V6-Oil-Cooler-Radiator-93176626-/371067209650?hash=item56655447b2

Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Malcolm_D on 15 October 2015, 00:18:37
Now fixed! New oil cooler, grey sealant (which was the original problem), bridge washers etc... Cost a bit but I am happy to be back driving her and it is great not to see a little puddle every time I move the car!
Thanks for all of the help and advice.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: gbh on 22 October 2015, 15:35:45
Good here you sorted your problem,what tool did you use to create pressure?
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Steve B on 22 October 2015, 15:56:18
Good here you sorted your problem,what tool did you use to create pressure?
I made my own... There is a guide on here  :y

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/70807181/cap%203.JPG)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/70807181/cap2.JPG)