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[Varche]

Got the bolt in and top hose connected. Poured water/antifreeze mix in and out it all came from the front of the engine. I am assuming it is from the inner end of the alloy water pipe that is held in by the brackets secured by the genuine and truly bastard bolt which took all morning to get in in the cold and rain.

I didn't renew the two rubber sealing rings on the end of the alloy pipe but did make sure they were clean and smeared a small amount of vaseline on before insertion. If I had known about them at the start of the job I would have bought two.

To be honest the pipe didn't feel seated when I pushed it in but I am wondering if I have put the components back together in the wrong order. From the block outwards this is the order (that I believe the came off).

Lifting eye (which is neatly in its register)
dipstick bracket
Waterpipe bracket

then the bastard bolt with its fat washer.

Any suggestions gratefully received as ever!

The wet and cold and fed up varche.

[Andy H]

What other work did you carry out? I am assuming that you have just fitted a new thermostat?

I am also assuming that you have reconnected the heater hoses to the throttle bodies.

[Bionic]

Strange it be!!! We learn by our mistakes.
Firstly, why did you put the antifreeze mixture in before you had tested the system for leaks? Unwise that be.
Secondly you should have replaced both of the Transfer Pipe 'O' rings after making sure that the Transfer Pipe was corrosion free, they have a habit of accumulating a powdery grey deposit which then by elctrolytic action turns crystalline. Same as on battery posts in fact. This then prevents any decent seal as it is permeable to liquids. If you cleaned both the Transfer Pipe ends, including the 'O' ring grooves and the Thermostat Housing apperture too the problem must lie with either the 'O' rings which are no longer up to the job, which is why they should be renewed for the few pence they cost; or the Thermostat Housing seal (another 'O' ring) has not been seated correctly and slipped on assembly (common fault); or the leak is from elsewhere. You do not give any clear location apart from the 'engine front'. As this was not there before you started (or was it?) it is obviously something that has not seated correctly. Unless you have either missed a hose tightening or have a split one.
The B bolt is probably not the problem as far as I know it goes into a blind hole that does not enter any waterway.
Looks like your best bet is to remove the plenum and have a good looky see.
Give us more info and we all might then advise better.
GudLuk (not the best weather for it either)

[Varche]

No didn't change the thermostat.

Didn't disconnect heater hoses from the throttle bodies to my knowledge. The water pipe touched was the alloy pipe and top hose.  The job was only to change the left bank exhaust manifold gasket.

[Darth Loo-knee]

No didn't change the thermostat.

Didn't disconnect heater hoses from the throttle bodies to my knowledge. The water pipe touched was the alloy pipe and top hose.  The job was only to change the left bank exhaust manifold gasket.

Sorry to sound stupid here, but if you were not changing the Thermostat why did you need to remove the Bastard bolt and the Transfer Pipe?

[Bionic]

OK, the culprit then may well be the Transfer Pipe 'O' rings have had their chips as it takes nothing to disturb any corrosion that was present. I would be very surprised if there was none. Best bet is what I said earlier. Take off the Plenum so you can have a good looky see, its what I would do. Until you have a better idea of where the leak originates from it is pointless trying to advise.
One other consideration is that the Thermostat Housing neck got damaged when you removed the Transfer Pipe. How much force did you have to use? It would make sense if you did not think it had seated right to start with. You ought to have checked the reason for the unsafe feel then.
GudLuk

[Varche]

Strange it be!!! We learn by our mistakes.
Firstly, why did you put the antifreeze mixture in before you had tested the system for leaks? Unwise that be.
Secondly you should have replaced both of the Transfer Pipe 'O' rings after making sure that the Transfer Pipe was corrosion free, they have a habit of accumulating a powdery grey deposit which then by elctrolytic action turns crystalline. Same as on battery posts in fact. This then prevents any decent seal as it is permeable to liquids. If you cleaned both the Transfer Pipe ends, including the 'O' ring grooves and the Thermostat Housing apperture too the problem must lie with either the 'O' rings which are no longer up to the job, which is why they should be renewed for the few pence they cost; or the Thermostat Housing seal (another 'O' ring) has not been seated correctly and slipped on assembly (common fault); or the leak is from elsewhere. You do not give any clear location apart from the 'engine front'. As this was not there before you started (or was it?) it is obviously something that has not seated correctly. Unless you have either missed a hose tightening or have a split one.
The B bolt is probably not the problem as far as I know it goes into a blind hole that does not enter any waterway.
Looks like your best bet is to remove the plenum and have a good looky see.
Give us more info and we all might then advise better.
GudLuk (not the best weather for it either)

Sorry I replied to AndyH while you were posting.

Fair comment about the antifreeze mix.

If I had known that the transfer pipe had seals I would have bought them at the same time as the GM manifold gasket as you say only a few pence.

I cleaned the transfer pipe end up. To be honest it didn't look in too bad a condition for 12 years undisturbed but I wished at that point I had two seals. Getting parts here is a nightmare in terms of language (the local Opel garage has never seen or worked on a V6 Omega engine) and getting them as we are so remote, I am now transportless! .

As I haven't done anything with the thermostat we can rule that out I believe. 

The water is running out very quickly from the bottom of the engine front below the water pump. But I am 99% certain it must be from where the transfer pipe goes into the engine i.e. the seals. The leak wasn't there before.

It never felt well seated while I was doing up the bolt. That is why I asked if perhaps I have got them the wrong way round.

I think you are right. Plenum off job now..   

[Varche]

No didn't change the thermostat.

Didn't disconnect heater hoses from the throttle bodies to my knowledge. The water pipe touched was the alloy pipe and top hose.  The job was only to change the left bank exhaust manifold gasket.

Sorry to sound stupid here, but if you were not changing the Thermostat why did you need to remove the Bastard bolt and the Transfer Pipe?

I thought it was necesary to remove it to get at the front end lower or upper  manifold 13 mm stud. I am thinking now that it wasn't necesary.

[Varche]

Found the problem.

The transfer pipe is below the thermostat housing and not into it! No wonder it didn't feel as though it had gone in properly. GRRR

Still raining but it has been for 3 weeks now. At least it is not snowing.

[Bionic]

Just what I thought!
If I could play the trumpet I would blow you a fanfare!!!!!!
Now you know what to do, so on with it you go.
Lets us all know how you get on.
Leave the plenum off until you know its seated where it should be m8, and only antifreeze when you know its a done job.
GudLuk
Want some snow? You can have this lot.

[Varche]

All sorted now and the car runs better as a plus.

Thanks for all the help and Pm's.