mystery leak.....

[stuvaux]

Thanks for the pic...

I did look at that pipe. It looked secure, although there was traces of old coolant there.
But the HBV and oil cooler have leaked before, so I thought these traces would be from that....

Whats the easiest way to access that pipe. I do have some transfer pipe seals (part no. 9129999). Are these the right ones for this pipe also?

Stu

[cem_devecioglu]

Thanks for the pic...

I did look at that pipe. It looked secure, although there was traces of old coolant there.
But the HBV and oil cooler have leaked before, so I thought these traces would be from that....

Whats the easiest way to access that pipe. I do have some transfer pipe seals (part no. 9129999). Are these the right ones for this pipe also?

Stu

from top ...you need to take the plenum, inlet and other bits..

part numbers dont know..sure someone from here know...

also there are some additives giving color to coolant that you can add

to check leaks..

[JamesV6CDX]

There are a couple of core plugs on the rear of the 2-4-6 head.

On the estate I just bought from Max, it was dripping coolant in exactly the area you describe. After doing EVERYTHING else, finally changing the head gasket fixed it    

[MaxV6]

and when he says EVERYTHING else, he means it...

we changed, the Transfer pipe & O ring seals from the back of the thermostat, the oil cooler got sorted, every damn rubber pipe, including those feeding the heater matrix, V-collant bridge, HBV twice, and a bunch of other bits too numerous to mention....  

then James rebuilt the top end with new heads, and bingo....

[stuvaux]

There are a couple of core plugs on the rear of the 2-4-6 head.

On the estate I just bought from Max, it was dripping coolant in exactly the area you describe. After doing EVERYTHING else, finally changing the head gasket fixed it    

Thanks mate....   Though that was the reply I was dreading tbh....

How difficult is it to change that head gasket......?

Stu

[pfj101]

This may not help, but I have just replaced my HBV only to find that there was a leak on the single port side of the HBV. The hose had gone porous and leaking everywhere. Had exactly same symptoms as HBV blown.

Phill

[stuvaux]

This may not help, but I have just replaced my HBV only to find that there was a leak on the single port side of the HBV. The hose had gone porous and leaking everywhere. Had exactly same symptoms as HBV blown.

Phill

Thanks mate....All ideas much appreciated!    

Looks like it needs stripping down (yet again), and getting sorted properly....

Stu

[stuvaux]

Still not sorted the leak yet  :-/

I have noticed though that it loses coolant even while standing....
Does this make a difference?
Or point to what may actually be leaking?

All ideas welcome....
Thanks,
Stu

P.S. If I dont reply straight away to your responses, its because i'm off to sleep now because I was at work last night....I'll reply later....Thanks again in advance  

[stuvaux]

Any ideas anyone?   All ideas appreciated....

Thanks,
Stu

[stuvaux]

Not sure if this helps, but it seems to leak a lot of water when the engine is turned off...
Any ideas anyone?  Please!!  I'm getting tired of topping up the car every day....and of seeing that `coolant level` warning.....

Stu

[Entwood]

Check all hoses/connections/jubilee clips, as well as the fitting of the filler cap, and the "neck" of the filler cap - these are known to crack.

Leaks that continue with the engine stopped are usually small and difficult to find, they occur because the coolant system is pressurised, so after running it takes a couple of hours for the coolant to cool and the pressure to drop, all that time the leak ( or often just a seep) continues.

In the past I have used coloured kitchen roll/ paper towels ( kimwipe is good) to find these leaks as by wiping down the pipes/joins etc the paper towl changes colour when wet ( light blue kimwipe goes dark blue) which is an aid to finding small but persistent leaks.

Good luck !!

[stuvaux]

Check all hoses/connections/jubilee clips, as well as the fitting of the filler cap, and the "neck" of the filler cap - these are known to crack.

Leaks that continue with the engine stopped are usually small and difficult to find, they occur because the coolant system is pressurised, so after running it takes a couple of hours for the coolant to cool and the pressure to drop, all that time the leak ( or often just a seep) continues.

In the past I have used coloured kitchen roll/ paper towels ( kimwipe is good) to find these leaks as by wiping down the pipes/joins etc the paper towl changes colour when wet ( light blue kimwipe goes dark blue) which is an aid to finding small but persistent leaks.

Good luck !!

Thanks mate  

The leak is quite major to be honest, around a litre a day now...
When it was on the ramp, it seemed to be dripping from rear of engine, next to where p/s front pipes bolt to manifold. But looking from above engine, it also seems wet around the front edge of the sump.....
Oil cooler and HBV have both been done, but still the leak continues...
Not sure what to try next.....looks like taking car off the road for a while so I can strip down and try and find the problem...

Stu

[Entwood]

The only other thing in that area (rear of engine) that I remember is the coolant bridge, that has a few joints/seals - and I think the washers are a tad fancy - sort of metal+rubber things - could be from there, but thats a plenum off job

[stuvaux]

The only other thing in that area (rear of engine) that I remember is the coolant bridge, that has a few joints/seals - and I think the washers are a tad fancy - sort of metal+rubber things - could be from there, but thats a plenum off job

I did replace them...along with new bolts (I broke one!) .....cost around £6 just for the 2 washers and £5 for the 2 bolts

[Entwood]

Well, clutching at straws now.... the only thing I can suggest is to spend an hour after the car has stood for 10-12 hours wiping everything you can reach as dry as you can, really being very thorough... then run the engine for an hour or so at low rpm (tickover) without moving the car at all.

This MIGHT allow you to see where the leak is from without airflow blowing water all over the place.

The other option is the flourescent dye you can put in the system, you then shine a UV light and it is supposed to show up the leaks - never used it myself ..