Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: terry paget on 02 February 2020, 16:54:05

Title: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 02 February 2020, 16:54:05
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5ozuiycmubmr7z/V828COOLANTLEAK.jpg?dl=1)
"No more groping!", said the wife. Puzzled I replied,"Those days are over".
I have a new coolant leak on my last Omega. Peering up at the left hand bottom end of the radiator I see a damp patch. I have changed radiators before, but this forum has advised me to do no more heavy jobs liable to bruise my hands, lest I suddenly drop dead. Bother.
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 02 February 2020, 17:20:14
Terry, you've been here for so long, I'm sure someone local will pop over and do it for a brew and a bacon butty...
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: STEMO on 02 February 2020, 17:44:56
Terry, you've been here for so long, I'm sure someone local will pop over and do it for a brew and a bacon butty...
Long way from Teesside (the nice bit). Or did you mean 'someone else'.  ;D
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 02 February 2020, 17:59:23
It's a bit of a hike, but you're welcome to bring it over here...  ;)
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 05 February 2020, 15:37:02
Terry, you've been here for so long, I'm sure someone local will pop over and do it for a brew and a bacon butty...
Long way from Teesside (the nice bit). Or did you mean 'someone else'.  ;D

:D Definitely the latter...!
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: aaronjb on 05 February 2020, 15:39:17
If the radiator is dry above the level of the bleed screw (the red bit) then the problem is two O-rings on the bleed screw itself. (If it's wet above that then it's coming from somewhere else, of course)
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: omegod on 05 February 2020, 16:19:00
Halfords "little pack of O rings" used to fit the bleed screw perfectly , not sure now like !

Really helpful aren't I  ;D
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 06 February 2020, 09:30:19
If the radiator is dry above the level of the bleed screw (the red bit) then the problem is two O-rings on the bleed screw itself. (If it's wet above that then it's coming from somewhere else, of course)
I will check again, but I am pretty sure it was wet above the bleed screw. I have changed those O-rings on many an Omega in the past! They are 2 different sizes, aren't they?
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 06 February 2020, 12:45:06
The plastic usually splits in the top corner, near the top hose,  and runs down the side.
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 10 February 2020, 14:11:54
The plastic usually splits in the top corner, near the top hose,  and runs down the side.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/s7zl23wlrg8gmi6/V828rad2.jpg?dl=1)
Quite right. It seemed to run all around the pipe, but on moving the hose back on the pipe, it appears to be a small hole right at the top. Proper repair is replace the radiator, but that involves groping; can I repair the small hole, if so, what is the best method - araldite, hot air gun, something else?;
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 10 February 2020, 16:46:45
Those are all temporary bodges as the involve heat... And will fail once the radiator heats up ::)
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: Raeturbo on 10 February 2020, 21:14:42
https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/resin-gel-silicone-adhesive/epoxy-resin/very-high-temperature-epoxy-laminating-resin.html       
                                              Have a look at this stuff
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 12 February 2020, 17:08:17
Now I am confused. In post#9 I moved the top hose back along the pipe to expose the leak better, but in a 2 hour idle only a tiny leak appeared. I took it for a 10 mile drive yesterday morning, and 12 miles Wells and back last night. no leak. 12 further miles this morning, still no coolant loss. Explain.
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 12 February 2020, 18:10:56
No water left or thermostat didn't open.  ;)
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 12 February 2020, 18:48:42
Rocking the car I can see the coolant level is still correct. Heater blows hot, top hose is hot.
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: dave the builder on 12 February 2020, 19:48:41
probably closed the crack up and next time you sneeze it will leak again  ;D
or moving the hose clamp  has cured it
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 12 February 2020, 20:09:10
probably closed the crack up and next time you sneeze it will leak again  ;D
or moving the hose clamp  has cured it
Maybe. I tried grasping the top hose firmly and wiggling it, but I could not reopen the crack.
It may be moving the clamp and hose has cured it, but it has not moved for 5 years, but only began to leak a month ago.
Beats me. All I can do is go on using it and see if it recurs.
Meanwhile, it is due MOT in April, already has an exhaust leak in the LH manifold region, and I was prepared to scrap it without more ado. If there is no coolant leak I am tempted to submit it for test and see how it gets on.
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: dave the builder on 12 February 2020, 20:18:37
probably closed the crack up and next time you sneeze it will leak again  ;D
or moving the hose clamp  has cured it
Maybe. I tried grasping the top hose firmly and wiggling it, but I could not reopen the crack.
It may be moving the clamp and hose has cured it, but it has not moved for 5 years, but only began to leak a month ago.
Beats me. All I can do is go on using it and see if it recurs.
Meanwhile, it is due MOT in April, already has an exhaust leak in the LH manifold region, and I was prepared to scrap it without more ado. If there is no coolant leak I am tempted to submit it for test and see how it gets on.

even if you pay to have the exhaust blow fixed or a few other jobs , may be cheaper than finding another car

better the devil you know  :-\
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: terry paget on 12 February 2020, 22:58:37
I have changed a RH exhaust manifold on a 2.5, not too bad a job, but the LH manifold is trickier, involving either removing engine from car, or LH cylinder head. I recall the studs into the head are liable to break off, requiring drilling out. Sounds expensive, if I can get a manifold. Of course, I am not sure it is a cracked manifold, but is certainly blowing from the noise. It might slip past a generous tester, but the worry then is emissions. For  20 year old car that cost me £259 5 years ago, it sounds unattractive.
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 February 2020, 13:57:06
If you don't feel that is value for money, I don't know what else to say  :-\
Title: Re: Groping
Post by: dave the builder on 13 February 2020, 15:40:29
Terry forgot to deduct the money returned when he scraps it

if the manual gearbox ,pedals etc was sold (buyer to remove) ,then sell or weigh in both cats to a specialist buyer like WARR
then sell the alloys ,then get a scrap man to pay Terry to collect what is left ...
Terry would be in profit by some margin  ;D