Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Kate on 08 July 2011, 16:51:57

Title: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 08 July 2011, 16:51:57
Hi. Can anyone help?

I've got a coolant leak.  It's running over these two pipes in the picture.  What should I do? I don't know where it's coming from!  Many thanks! :y :-*

(http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/maisyhoneybunny/Photo1129.jpg)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Andy B on 08 July 2011, 17:11:05
I can't really tell from your picture, but if it's behind the driver's side front wheel have you looked at the back of the engine on the driver's side? Heater by pass valve lives there & is often a cause of water loss. The valve is around £35 from Vauxhall & should take about an hour or so to fit.  :y  :y  :y
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 08 July 2011, 17:12:02
It seems to leak sometimes but not others.  I can't understand why.

I don't want to take it to a garage without getting any advice in case I get ripped off.  I haven't been using it much and it's losing about 2 litres a day.

Any advice would be great as garages take advantage of women sometimes.
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 08 July 2011, 17:13:12
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I can't really tell from your picture, but if it's behind the driver's side front wheel have you looked at the back of the engine on the driver's side? Heater by pass valve lives there & is often a cause of water loss. The valve is around £35 from Vauxhall & should take about an hour or so to fit.  :y  :y  :y

Thanks.  Would a novice be able to fit one? :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Andy B on 08 July 2011, 17:14:20
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It seems to leak sometimes but not others.  I can't understand why.

I don't want to take it to a garage without getting any advice in case I get ripped off.  I haven't been using it much and it's losing about 2 litres a day.

Any advice would be great as garages take advantage of women sometimes.

Altering the heater temp will have an effect on water loss.

Have a look here  :y
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1193594464
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Andy B on 08 July 2011, 17:15:28
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Quote
I can't really tell from your picture, but if it's behind the driver's side front wheel have you looked at the back of the engine on the driver's side? Heater by pass valve lives there & is often a cause of water loss. The valve is around £35 from Vauxhall & should take about an hour or so to fit.  :y  :y  :y

Thanks.  Would a novice be able to fit one? :-*


Depends what tools you have available  ;)

You need a box of plasters too  :-?  ;)   ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 08 July 2011, 17:29:14
Thanks very much.  Is there any way to confirm that the HBV is leaking? :y
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 08 July 2011, 17:34:28
Scuttle off and run the engine moving the temp regularly.  If you get the part pop around and ill swap it over in about 20 mins for a couple of bottles of waggle dance.
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 08 July 2011, 17:58:00
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Scuttle off and run the engine moving the temp regularly.  If you get the part pop around and ill swap it over in about 20 mins for a couple of bottles of waggle dance.

Thanks! Where abouts in Hampshire are you? :y :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 10 July 2011, 12:38:35
Is there anyone in the West London area that would have at look at my poorly mig? I'll bring it to you! :y :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 10 July 2011, 17:52:51
Would an alcohol bribe help? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Andy B on 10 July 2011, 18:30:47
I'm sure Guffers will get back to you when he's finished rebuilding his engine.  ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 10 July 2011, 20:25:28
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I'm sure Guffers will get back to you when he's finished rebuilding his engine.  ;)


It's a good job mig engines are nice and simple then! ;D
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: duggs on 10 July 2011, 20:53:00
Assuming that's yer picture Kate, I'm amazed fellow Miggers aren't queuing up to help !
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 10 July 2011, 21:33:00
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Assuming that's yer picture Kate, I'm amazed fellow Miggers aren't queuing up to help !

Well I look more like Jo Brand in reality!  I've met several of the moderators and I think they've spread the word.

No wonder it's so hard for me to get help! ;D ;D ;D

Being a tactless old cow doesn't help either! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 11 July 2011, 08:40:20
Sorry Kate,  as Andy said I have been a little busy  ::)

I can have a look later this week.  I am away this weekend from friday but I can help diagnose at the least.  If it is the HBV I have become very good at swaping them out.

A few questions may help pin point:

- does it leak when engine is off and you fill the coolant up?
- does it only leak when running either warm or cold?
- does it leak only when hot?
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 11 July 2011, 12:34:38
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Sorry Kate,  as Andy said I have been a little busy  ::)

I can have a look later this week.  I am away this weekend from friday but I can help diagnose at the least.  If it is the HBV I have become very good at swaping them out.

A few questions may help pin point:

- does it leak when engine is off and you fill the coolant up?
- does it only leak when running either warm or cold?
- does it leak only when hot?

Hey no bother I'm really pleased to get some help! :y

It only seems to leak when I've been driving the car.  When I top it up it doesn't leak and even when it's hot it doesn't always leak.

I've been topping up with about 2 litres a day.

Thanks very much for helping! :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 11 July 2011, 12:46:55
Yikes, thats a serious leak!

It does bear the hallmarks of a HBV failure.  I have a pattern one here which does not leak (yet!)  we can swap it over and see if that stops it.  If it is you can get a proper one from a stealers.
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 11 July 2011, 13:07:06
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Yikes, thats a serious leak!

It does bear the hallmarks of a HBV failure.  I have a pattern one here which does not leak (yet!)  we can swap it over and see if that stops it.  If it is you can get a proper one from a stealers.

Yes it's quite bad! :o

I ordered a cheap HBV off ebay as it was all I could afford.

I used to live in Hampshire - Yateley and Andover.  Whereabouts are you?
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 11 July 2011, 14:35:16
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Yikes, thats a serious leak!

It does bear the hallmarks of a HBV failure.  I have a pattern one here which does not leak (yet!)  we can swap it over and see if that stops it.  If it is you can get a proper one from a stealers.

Yes it's quite bad! :o

I ordered a cheap HBV off ebay as it was all I could afford.

I used to live in Hampshire - Yateley and Andover.  Whereabouts are you?

cheap HBVs dont last apparently, but if you're in a bind it'll do for now.

PM Sent :y
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 13 July 2011, 19:33:40
A big thank you to Guffer for fixing my coolant leak! :y

Thanks Matt! :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 13 July 2011, 19:52:50
No worries, like I said make sure you get the coolant system flushed properly and filled with a 50:50 mix with Vx Coolant.  If you need trade prices just PM me or see how close Andyc is to you.

Glad your leak is now fixed  :y
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 13 July 2011, 21:14:22
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No worries, like I said make sure you get the coolant system flushed properly and filled with a 50:50 mix with Vx Coolant.  If you need trade prices just PM me or see how close Andyc is to you.

Glad your leak is now fixed  :y

Thanks Matt, will do! :y

Hope you enjoy the beer! :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 13 July 2011, 22:31:20
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No worries, like I said make sure you get the coolant system flushed properly and filled with a 50:50 mix with Vx Coolant.  If you need trade prices just PM me or see how close Andyc is to you.

Glad your leak is now fixed  :y

Thanks Matt, will do! :y

Hope you enjoy the beer! :-*

I am loving the beer, although it did nothing for my mariokart abilities  ;D ;D

Thank you  :-*
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Kate on 14 July 2011, 12:02:08
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No worries, like I said make sure you get the coolant system flushed properly and filled with a 50:50 mix with Vx Coolant.  If you need trade prices just PM me or see how close Andyc is to you.

Glad your leak is now fixed  :y

Thanks Matt, will do! :y

Hope you enjoy the beer! :-*

I am loving the beer, although it did nothing for my mariokart abilities  ;D ;D

Thank you  :-*

Drinking affects your driving ability! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Coolant Leak!
Post by: Gaffers on 14 July 2011, 13:52:35
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No worries, like I said make sure you get the coolant system flushed properly and filled with a 50:50 mix with Vx Coolant.  If you need trade prices just PM me or see how close Andyc is to you.

Glad your leak is now fixed  :y

Thanks Matt, will do! :y

Hope you enjoy the beer! :-*

I am loving the beer, although it did nothing for my mariokart abilities  ;D ;D

Thank you  :-*

Drinking affects your driving ability! ;D ;D ;D

It normally improves  ::) ;D