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[amba]

Has anybody found a sucessfull way of actually testing a HBV to see if it is leaking ,short of playing around with the climate control whilst engine is running and head is burried down the back of the engine

Friend has a very minor coolant leak and all attempts to cure have been tried ..including the HBV .It will only loose around 5-10mm on the levl irrespective wether climate is set to LO or above.All seems dry down back of engine with all usual culprits having either been repl;aced/resealed or renewed.

Never have low coolant waring appear or any overheating just this slight drop in coolant.I have advised just to drive and top up as required but was curious how ,if it is possible ,to definitivley rule out the HBV being the culprit as it does seem to be the "weak link" in the coolant system. 

[Nick W]

I suppose that you could acheive a test by removing it, rigging some heater hoses and trying it with a vacuum pump as used for bleeding brakes).
But it's a lot of messing about for a £15  part with a reputation for failure, and a fiddly job to change.
I wouldn't normally advocate just replacing parts for diagnosis, but it's probably valid here.

[TheBoy]

I suppose that you could acheive a test by removing it, rigging some heater hoses and trying it with a vacuum pump as used for bleeding brakes).
But it's a lot of messing about for a £15  part with a reputation for failure, and a fiddly job to change.
I wouldn't normally advocate just replacing parts for diagnosis, but it's probably valid here.

£15 . Where?

[Nick W]

I suppose that you could acheive a test by removing it, rigging some heater hoses and trying it with a vacuum pump as used for bleeding brakes).
But it's a lot of messing about for a £15  part with a reputation for failure, and a fiddly job to change.
I wouldn't normally advocate just replacing parts for diagnosis, but it's probably valid here.

£15 . Where?

It's used on lots of Vauxhalls, so is readily available. Looking back, the one I bought was actually £10.50 delivered.
Loads of them new on Ebay from about £8 upwards.
Hell, ECP have them in stock for £19.50 retail.

[Lazydocker]

I suppose that you could acheive a test by removing it, rigging some heater hoses and trying it with a vacuum pump as used for bleeding brakes).
But it's a lot of messing about for a £15  part with a reputation for failure, and a fiddly job to change.
I wouldn't normally advocate just replacing parts for diagnosis, but it's probably valid here.

£15 . Where?

It's used on lots of Vauxhalls, so is readily available. Looking back, the one I bought was actually £10.50 delivered.
Loads of them new on Ebay from about £8 upwards.
Hell, ECP have them in stock for £19.50 retail.

Ahh... The pattern part strikes again

There have been better results with pattern HBVs than Cam Cover Gaskets but still not managed to find a reliable, dependable pattern manufacturer It's another part that we recommend is Vx dealer sourced as there have been pattern ones fail within a few weeks of fitting

[omega3000]

I suppose that you could acheive a test by removing it, rigging some heater hoses and trying it with a vacuum pump as used for bleeding brakes).
But it's a lot of messing about for a £15  part with a reputation for failure, and a fiddly job to change.
I wouldn't normally advocate just replacing parts for diagnosis, but it's probably valid here.

£15 . Where?

It's used on lots of Vauxhalls, so is readily available. Looking back, the one I bought was actually £10.50 delivered.
Loads of them new on Ebay from about £8 upwards.
Hell, ECP have them in stock for £19.50 retail.

 £8.50 delivered for mine a year ago  And £3 for a bag of plaster's 

[feeutfo]

Scuttle off, engine on, adjust cc, see/feel if it leaks. Simples

[feeutfo]

Actually, only really need to remove scuttle if there's a load of LPG gubbins in the way, as on mine, but it does make the job way easier.

[amba]

Thanks for advise,guys.

Suppose safest is just to replace again,as such a small coolant lose is not showing up on a pressure test and its more of an annoyance than a real mechanical issue.

The small amount lost would I suspect not even be traceable even viewing the entire HBV whilst engine running.

I will advise him to just buy a new GM part 

[Andy H]

I would be tempted to redo the coolant pressure test.

HBV failure tends to result in random rapid loss of coolant.

A continuous slow loss of coolant is more symptomatic of weeping hose connections and (whisper it quietly) corroded oil cooler plate or head gaskets.

[feeutfo]

Ordinarily I would fully agree Andy. But this one had a slow leak that I was absolutely certain was there for a few months prior to it failing, and suspected a small leak for a good while before due to very slight coolent loss and the smell of hot coolent around the car.
Certainly when they go properly the evidence is dramatic. Link below shows internal seal that failed.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=105900.0

Having said that the oil cooler cover plate can weep for years as you say.

[Andy H]

Another place that can weep is where the top hose clamps onto the coolant transfer pipe (and the transfer pipe itself can corrode and leak)

Both my V6's have weeped in this area (and smelled of hot antifreeze until I fixed it).

I wouldn't argue against buying a genuine HBV though

[omega3000]

Another place that can weep is where the top hose clamps onto the coolant transfer pipe (and the transfer pipe itself can corrode and leak)

Both my V6's have weeped in this area (and smelled of hot antifreeze until I fixed it).

I wouldn't argue against buying a genuine HBV though

I use to smell the hot antifreeze in the cabin too , then finding both bridge seals had perished so replaced and no more  thinking now what