My miggy has a leak :(

Ian_D · 13 February 2008, 18:31:02

Today when I went to my mates, I noticed steam coming out the front of the car when I stopped at a few roundabouts etc.

First thing I did was looked at temp gauge, which was normal (my mates house was about a mile away, so I carried on). I didnt see any more steam for the remainder of the trip, so I thought 'Maybe it was the car infront' (keeping my fingers crossed).

When I switched engine off and got out I then noticed some more steam, so I opened the bonnet but couldn't see where it was coming from.

I thought 'I bet its the HBV thing' - That felt dry though?

Went back to the car 2 hrs later and there was a puddle of water under it

Had lost about 3/4 a litre.

Again, we couldnt find the leak (it was dripping on the floor from the back of the engine somewhere)

Just got home now, and noticed a big puddle of water on the road from where the car was park last night

Anyone got any ideas? :-/

ians · 13 February 2008, 18:46:12

How did you feel the HBV - have you got double jointed arms?

Seriously its pretty difficult to reach without removing the scuttle. You can see it though and shine a torch on it if you stnd near the OS wing. Note the HBV leak can depend on AC/temp setting.

Could also be a hose split or expansion tank leaking or a leak in the V. Would be interesting if its still dripping when the car has been standing for a while - in my experience the HBV only leaks when the car is running.

Need to do a bit more investigation I think..

Ian_D · 13 February 2008, 18:51:55

QuoteHow did you feel the HBV - have you got double jointed arms?

Maybe I didnt feel it then?

It was deffo a water pipe (it was red hot!) and had 3 pipes going into it which i could feel. It was behind the rear of the engine just behind where the breather box??? is bolted to on the drivers side of the V. (If that makes sence?)

ians · 13 February 2008, 18:58:41

Yeah that's right - you've got thinner arms than me then

should have a vac pipe on top of it.

No splits in your expansion tank? esp near the top?

khatton · 13 February 2008, 19:04:34

i did my hbv last weekend cost 32 quid from dealer mine was leaving coolant on the floor from the back of the engine it did not feel like it was leaking until i reved the engine when it was warm with the heater turned off water poured out of two little slits on the body of it replaced it its now ok hope this helps i would bet its that
regards
khatton

albitz · 13 February 2008, 19:16:58

i,d put money on it being hbv.sounds like you might have skinny arms like me so you might be able to change it without dismantling half the car to get at it.did mine with no dismantling,it was awkward though.

Ian_D · 13 February 2008, 19:22:02

I will go and have a quick look now and see if its wet etc

MutantCav · 13 February 2008, 19:22:58

Got one here just come off a 3.0 v6 Elite if you want it??

Ian_D · 13 February 2008, 21:58:25

QuoteI will go and have a quick look now and see if its wet etc

Didnt manage to have a look.. ran out of time

Will look tomorrow when I get back from work

QuoteGot one here just come off a 3.0 v6 Elite if you want it??

Not sure mate, How much do you want inc p&p? Are you breaking the Elite? Only thing im worried about, is these parts always fail and im wondering if its worth fitting a new one? :-/

MutantCav · 13 February 2008, 22:01:57

£15

ians · 14 February 2008, 17:50:23

If it was me I would be buying a new genuine one. About £30 trade.

Kevin Wood · 14 February 2008, 20:54:13

QuoteIf it was me I would be buying a new genuine one. About £30 trade.

Agreed. Given their track record...

If it doesn't appear to be HBV check the hoses back there, pop the plenum off and have a look down into the vee in case it's the oil cooler or thermostat cover, and have a look right round the back of the engine where the bottom rad. hose transfer pipe joins the back of the block.

Kevin

Marks DTM Calib · 15 February 2008, 09:54:13

Also check the hose by the battery, look for 'blisters' in the outer skin....seen two of these fail now.

Matchless · 15 February 2008, 11:41:43

QuoteAlso check the hose by the battery, look for 'blisters' in the outer skin....seen two of these fail now.

Check when engine is hot and pressurised, look out for ty-raps on this hose which have cut into the surface.

Ian_D · 15 February 2008, 19:00:02

QuoteAlso check the hose by the battery, look for 'blisters' in the outer skin....seen two of these fail now.

Had a look today, couldn't find anything wrong other than the above pipe...

It felt like it had an outside skin?

It is dry though, and the water / steam was from the back of the engine when I last saw it. :-/

News:

My miggy has a leak :(

albitz