Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: J.S.B. on 18 November 2011, 12:29:56

Title: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: J.S.B. on 18 November 2011, 12:29:56
Hi Guys,

I'm having an annoying problem since I've changed the rocker cover gaskets. When the engine is up to temperature there is a leak somewhere.

If I floor it then it will squirt and then my windscreen fogs up, otherwise it doesn't seem to leak.

I've tried to see where is wet or if there is any dripping and unfortunately I can't see anything conclusive. I think it might have looked a little wet behind the 135 bank on the breather box thing. And it appeared as though there might have been some drips on the tarmac under the car towards the back of the engine.

I can't get it to obviously squirt or drip and it only does it once the engine is up to temperature and then it is driven hard, and it doesn't leak terribly much. The coolant message has only come up once, and that's about a month after I did the work, but I have noticed that it does it more often now.

Don't assume that I've managed to put the engine tubes back on properly, although every tube with a clamp is clamped. When I did the work I did the dis pack, leads, sparks, rocker gaskets and various inlet bridge plenum o-rings or gaskets too.

This is really bugging me as I can't see the obvious fault :'( so any help is much appreciated :)

Thanks in advance :y

Regards

J
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: Kevin Wood on 18 November 2011, 12:32:12
The heater bypass valve and the pipes going to and from it are the usual suspect for coolant leaks, and they are behind the 1,3,5 head.

I would remove the scuttle cover and give the HBV a good check-over. Could be that disturbing the hoses has caused an already weak one to start leaking or the HBV has just failed.
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: fiend61 on 18 November 2011, 12:35:30
common on these cars is the hbv  >:( it lives behind the engine block on lhs as you look into the engine bay, looks like starship enterprise, basically take off windscreen wipers and scuttle and have a look, PITA to change unless very small hands or a very long pair of longnose pliers  ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: fiend61 on 18 November 2011, 12:36:26
(edit) must type quicker than KW  :D
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: Lazydocker on 18 November 2011, 12:40:05
Probably HBV... I'll be passing that way in a short while if you want me to point you in the right direction. If so, text me ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: amba on 18 November 2011, 13:29:54
Possibly a weak hose join to either HBV or coolant bridge area caused by being disturbed.
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: J.S.B. on 18 November 2011, 16:07:12
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses. After reading other posts I did a couple of journeys without the heating or blowers and all was fine. LazyDocker popped over and gave it the once over too :y so it looks like I'll be changing the HBV and checking the hoses nearby. It is an old HBV, but also I was disturbing the hoses quite a bit whilst working around there so it's probably both.

I the hose is gone is it best to get a new one or second hand? If new does anyone know part numbers please?

Thanks all :y

Regards

J
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: Lazydocker on 18 November 2011, 16:15:31
No worries J. If the hose has gone I would fit new... Probably about £15 (but that's a guess!) but will be an "order in" job ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: amba on 18 November 2011, 21:49:37
New hoses are the way to go  :y..bad policy fitting 2nd hand coolant pipes as they perish where the metal clips hold them on and often when replaced leak worse than those being replaced. :)
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: J.S.B. on 20 November 2011, 00:06:38
Hi Guys,

Any chance of some part numbers for the hose(s) please?

Regards

James
Title: Re: Coolant Leak after rocker gasket change
Post by: J.S.B. on 25 November 2011, 20:25:22
Hi guys,

The part still hasn't arrived so I've been noting things.

It leaks when the blower is on, doesn't matter whether hot or cold, otherwise there is very little leakage.

I can only feel dampness on the very bottom of the HBV all the tubes and clips feel dry.

And it only leaks when the temp needle goes over half way and then it will continue leaking no matter what temperature until the pressure drops.

I haven't taken the opening off yet so I can't get a good look but any hints on what to look for would be appreciated. Will I have to remove the hoses to inspect them?

Thanks for your help.

Regards

J