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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Andy89 on 26 March 2016, 13:41:50

Title: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Andy89 on 26 March 2016, 13:41:50
Hello all

My car has developed a leak at the rear of the engine, and the only possible culprit i can see is the metal pipe.
I have been able to feel around all the hoses at the rear, and i feel no coolant, and it leaks down on the left side (passanger side for you in UK)
How can this pipe be taken off, is it possible withut removing the engine/gearbox?  :P
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: RobG on 26 March 2016, 13:53:51
"Trumpets", plenum, inlet manifold out and possibly coolant bridge for more access.
If even more access is preferred you will need to remove all coolant pipes incl. the HBV + hoses.
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Andy89 on 26 March 2016, 14:00:55
Well that seems like an alright job  :)
Must I use some gasket sealant aswell as the o-ring when refitting?
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: TheBoy on 26 March 2016, 15:46:10
Hello all

My car has developed a leak at the rear of the engine, and the only possible culprit i can see is the metal pipe.
I have been able to feel around all the hoses at the rear, and i feel no coolant, and it leaks down on the left side (passanger side for you in UK)
How can this pipe be taken off, is it possible withut removing the engine/gearbox?  :P
Oh shit. Is it a 1998 model (last letter of VIN being a W). If so, check carefully for leaks between block and head that side, right at the back.
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Andy89 on 26 March 2016, 18:33:06
This engine is a late 97 model from a vauxhall omega (same as 98 model), and yes i picked everything apart and filmed with my phone, witch showed the leak is the headgasket, and not the pipe :-\
Is this a know fault for specific engines?
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: YZ250 on 26 March 2016, 18:45:38
This engine is a late 97 model from a vauxhall omega (same as 98 model), and yes i picked everything apart and filmed with my phone, witch showed the leak is the headgasket, and not the pipe :-\
Is this a know fault for specific engines?

Quite a common fault for the specific 'year' of that engine.  :y I was a victim of the rear corner head gasket leak myself. When I stripped it down the gasket had rotted away but the steel ring was intact so no other issues caused apart from a slight weeping.  :y

Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Nick W on 26 March 2016, 19:05:29
This engine is a late 97 model from a vauxhall omega (same as 98 model), and yes i picked everything apart and filmed with my phone, witch showed the leak is the headgasket, and not the pipe :-\
Is this a know fault for specific engines?

Quite a common fault for the specific 'year' of that engine.  :y I was a victim of the rear corner head gasket leak myself. When I stripped it down the gasket had rotted away but the steel ring was intact so no other issues caused apart from a slight weeping.  :y


My late '99 3.0l was the same; the gaskets were rotten. Fixing it isn't a difficult job, but it is a lot of work.
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Andy89 on 26 March 2016, 23:24:05
well this sucks, now i will get to use my refuurbished heads i have laying around then :P
Just hope everything is fine with the pistons, i know this engine has lower compression on 1 or 2 cylinders
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Gaffers on 27 March 2016, 19:08:01
Swapping heads, including refurbing of originals should take you a long day if you have done that level of job before, 2 days if it's your first time.  As said, it is fairly straight forward.  While the heads are off it is advisable to take the breather box off and clean as well as checking the rear pipe you mentioned in the OP.  They are fantastically accessible once the heads are off, especially if you aren't some lithe lanky streak of piss with tiny hands and you find getting your bear paws around the back a little challenging ;D
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: jimbo125 on 28 March 2016, 01:29:09
In the process of taking my heads off, coolant transfer pipe is easier if you remove rear oil cooler pipe and raise it slightly, it gives you access to the top bolt on the transfer pipe :y also can be an idea to redo the cooler plate seal to cover any issue of a leak there :)
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: danzigfan on 28 March 2016, 08:19:05
Mine has a small coolant leak at the back ob engine too :-X and I always thought it could be only coolant transfer pipe the reason for that.

Now, after reading this...I'm to afraid to even take a good look where exactly the leak is :-X
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2016, 11:40:21
Mine has a small coolant leak at the back ob engine too :-X and I always thought it could be only coolant transfer pipe the reason for that.

Now, after reading this...I'm to afraid to even take a good look where exactly the leak is :-X
2.5's not normally affected, only MFL 3.0l
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: jimbo125 on 07 April 2016, 01:06:31
HG fault so had to remove heads, fire rings ok but fibre part no mush and yet I do regular oil and coolant changes. It is a 98 V6 :-\
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: YZ250 on 07 April 2016, 06:46:40
Mine has a small coolant leak at the back ob engine too :-X and I always thought it could be only coolant transfer pipe the reason for that.

Now, after reading this...I'm to afraid to even take a good look where exactly the leak is :-X
2.5's not normally affected, only MFL 3.0l

Sadly the 2.5 of that era was also affected as that's what mine was.  :y
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: amba on 07 April 2016, 08:10:49
My 98 2.5 had a similar issue which I never ever managed to resolved.In fairness it covered 226k when I got rid of it but for the 5 years of ownership couldnt vere trace the slight coolant leak despite doing all the normal ..easier :o..stuff,so expect that was HG corner failure also
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: Shackeng on 07 April 2016, 11:18:41
Swapping heads, including refurbing of originals should take you a long day if you have done that level of job before, 2 days if it's your first time.  As said, it is fairly straight forward.  While the heads are off it is advisable to take the breather box off and clean as well as checking the rear pipe you mentioned in the OP.  They are fantastically accessible once the heads are off, especially if you aren't some lithe lanky streak of piss with tiny hands and you find getting your bear paws around the back a little challenging ;D

I cannot think to whom you may be referring. ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: V6 coolant leak at the rear, best way to remove the metal pipe?
Post by: jimbo125 on 07 April 2016, 15:04:31
Mine has a small coolant leak at the back ob engine too :-X and I always thought it could be only coolant transfer pipe the reason for that.

Now, after reading this...I'm to afraid to even take a good look where exactly the leak is :-X
2.5's not normally affected, only MFL 3.0l

Sadly the 2.5 of that era was also affected as that's what mine was.  :y
Well now I am doing the HGs and strangely enough enjoying the hole experience ??? hopefully this is going to be resolved once and for all :)