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[Murph]

I managed to get an hour spare to have another look today, so off came the scuttle.
I had a good feel around behind the engine but couldnt find anything definite.  I followed the coolant transfer pipe around the back (that's the stainless pipe that goes along the drivers side and round, right?) and that was dry all the way round and underneath where it joins the engine.
The HBV was not leaking and seems to be working, but I refitted the GM one anyway. While the pipes were off I blew into the top matrix pipe and got an easy flow from the bottom one, so the matrix seems clear.

The only place that felt wet was below the coil pack mounting plate, but I couldnt see in there so I'm still in the dark.

So... thats as far as I got before I ran out of light, but maybe one of you more knowledgeable types might have it narrowed down?

[Andy H]

I managed to get an hour spare to have another look today, so off came the scuttle.
I had a good feel around behind the engine but couldnt find anything definite.  I followed the coolant transfer pipe around the back (that's the stainless pipe that goes along the drivers side and round, right?) and that was dry all the way round and underneath where it joins the engine.
The HBV was not leaking and seems to be working, but I refitted the GM one anyway. While the pipes were off I blew into the top matrix pipe and got an easy flow from the bottom one, so the matrix seems clear.

The only place that felt wet was below the coil pack mounting plate, but I couldnt see in there so I'm still in the dark.

So... thats as far as I got before I ran out of light, but maybe one of you more knowledgeable types might have it narrowed down?

Hmm.

That was exactly where my head gasket leaked

The other possibility is that one of the core plugs in the back of the cylinder head (that hide under the coil mounting bracket) is weeping.

Check first that it isn't water from the scuttle .....

Core plug can be changed (with difficulty) with head in position. Your next task is to take the coil mounting bracket off and test again to see if it is the gasket or the core plug.



I couldn't face doing the headgaskets in the car (and I already had a hoist and engine stand) so I lifted the engine out to get a better look.....

In the second photo I have reconnected the header tank and have pressurised the cooling system. Water is weeping from the rear of the headgasket.

[Murph]

From the look of that pic (just what I needed btw) it's defo either a core plug or head gasket. 

I'll have to find a mirror methinks.

Thanks for the clarification Andy.

[Murph]

Just in case.....

How much is a head gasket set on trade?

[omega3000]

Strange how most of the head gaskets go in the most awkward of places to find  What year is your car murph ?

[TheBoy]

Just in case.....

How much is a head gasket set on trade?

I used the HG and bolts from Trechii on ebay, exhaust manifold gaskets from GM (use the newer MLS ones), cam cover gaskets GM, obviously.

Reseal oil cooler plate whilst there.

[Murph]

Will do TB.
Car is a 1998 2.5.

[Murph]

I had no chance to look at the mega today due to being kept busy with my mates van suspension, then another mate popping the radiator on his Carlton (we only fitted that one yesterday after he popped the last one!)

I did manage to get a loan of one of those flexible scope things to get a look down the back of the engine.

The battery is dead so I'll charge it tonight and have a play tomorrow.

[dbug]

look closely at the rubber hosing at the back of the engine, around coolant bridge area.  Pinholes in this area squirt coolant away from the hoses!  On our 98 Elite Estate had a leak at back of engine - eventually found a small split/pinhole on one of the hoses from coolant bridge close to pipe clamp.  As your leak seems to have worsened since you replaced coolant bridge seals, more likely due to you disturbing a pipe or not fitting the coolant bridge seals correctly.  Unlikely a core plug or head gasket leak will suddenly worsen following the work you have carried out! 

[Murph]

I'll check everything with a self-critical eye!