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[JohnM]

For 'calibration'.

So my 2.55L pain looks like she's slowly bleeding to death.  Looked like ATF on the drive at first - probably washing some oily/rusty crud down.  In the garage on newspaper dries to a watery pale pink.  Left (nearside) of centre (just).  A clean dab on white paper shows it bright pink - almost red.  Photo 1 shows some, the blue screwdriver handle is about true colour-wise.  I do have some coolant loss - I reckon about 3/4" down.



So a mad dash has indeed shown the HBV looks okay (thanks for the prompts).  Where I can get to seems dry.  Both heater hoses started to warm soon after the engine started which surprised me - but on LO was cool air from the vents. HI was hot.  Tried LO-HI-Lo etc still dry.  Again with thermostat open, dry.  I did notice one heater hose seems to be a wierd clip missing and I can move that hose about ten degrees - but still dry there.







Taking a look underneath reveals more.







Scuttle bodge repair broke - temporary sealed by tape (Aghh) but at least all back.

Just in time (no tea) to hear eldest play first clarinet in the summer concert - kinda makes up for it all (well the today part anyway)!

[same #same#]

can you pressure wash the engine down and see if you can see better were it may be coming from.

[gstylebaby]

Just remember to cover any electrics if your gonna jet wash the engine or under it just to make sure you don't introduce another fault.

[Jimbob]

Hi John

I certainly wouldnt go introducing more water...

I think your next bet is to take the plenum off...

Then check thermostat and coolant bridge, you can butcher a header tank cap with a tyre valve (see maint guides) to pressurise the system to try and see where its coming from.

Where those pipes go into the bulkhead....they are quick release fittings and movement is normal, I suspect the bit your missing is the other 1/2 of the clip that is unneeded and normally falls off.

Good luck.

[JohnM]

It didn't look too dirty down there - I just couldn't see much (at all).

Okay on the heater pipes, I'll leave those alone.

Aye, plenum off next I think - or will I *need* to presure it to see anything, I suppose if if there's water everywhere I'll not be any the wiser.

Good luck.

   
Needed.

[Jimbob]

when you take it off, there may be traces to identify where its coming from..if not, or the area is too wet, then you need to pressurise to get a better idea.

[JezInBrum]

Mine only leaked when hot, came down the rear left side of the engine and along the flat on the block where the engine number is stamped.
I tied pressure testing it to no avail. In the end sent it to my preferred specialist.
Ended up being the heads. bother were corroded and required reworking.
If it is a pressure test will not show it because the heat of the engine running made things expand enough to allow the water to leak out. I did go down the route of changeing hoses and hbv just as a potentially cheaper fix.
wish you more luck with yours 

[gstylebaby]

Mine only leaked when hot, came down the rear left side of the engine and along the flat on the block where the engine number is stamped.
I tied pressure testing it to no avail. In the end sent it to my preferred specialist.
Ended up being the heads. bother were corroded and required reworking.
If it is a pressure test will not show it because the heat of the engine running made things expand enough to allow the water to leak out. I did go down the route of changeing hoses and hbv just as a potentially cheaper fix.
wish you more luck with yours 

Got a feeling this is what my problem is i have just bought a dye from the u.s and a u.v torch.  You put the dye in your coolant and run it for a few hous / or a day and then go over it with the u.v torch...I have bought six bottles of this dye and u.v torch's to put some kits together and was going to post them up just not got round to testing it out on mine yet. 

[webby23]

I have the very same leak coming from that top pipe too.....

If the heater is totally OFF the leak is reduced, but with the heater ON (at any temp) there are visible drips down from that top hose near the bulkhead down onto the lower one.

Replacement hose here, going to MarkDTM to fit Friday

Hoepfully it will sort it cos we are off the North Wales in the car on Sunday

 

[Entwood]

Mine only leaked when hot, came down the rear left side of the engine and along the flat on the block where the engine number is stamped.
I tied pressure testing it to no avail. In the end sent it to my preferred specialist.
Ended up being the heads. bother were corroded and required reworking.
If it is a pressure test will not show it because the heat of the engine running made things expand enough to allow the water to leak out. I did go down the route of changeing hoses and hbv just as a potentially cheaper fix.
wish you more luck with yours 

Got a feeling this is what my problem is i have just bought a dye from the u.s and a u.v torch.  You put the dye in your coolant and run it for a few hous / or a day and then go over it with the u.v torch...I have bought six bottles of this dye and u.v torch's to put some kits together and was going to post them up just not got round to testing it out on mine yet. 

In the "old days" - (but I still use this method) - we used to drain the system and flush, then top up with clean water and a small bottle of bright yellow food colouring .. about 50p a bottle !! ... run the engine and look for the yellow water ..

Never failed me yet ..

[same #same#]

had idea think that water marks near to idler maybe the drain for the rain water, if it has a leaf in it's hole it would spray water on that side. rust red.

[JohnM]

I think has been cleaning as it goes to create the rusty marks - or it is dried a/freeze.

run the engine and look for the yellow water ..

- Got to taste better than the pink stuff! - but remember don't eat yellow snow.

Took it apart a little yesterday, blood red in the valley, been weeping for a little while possibly.

But the good news is ....
I managed to get it back together, started and no complaints from Mr EML. 
Okay - I do have the plenum screw covers somewhere in a tub.

[Jimbob]

can you see where in the valley?

bridge?
oil cooler?
thermostat?
other?

[Marks DTM Calib]

We will find out more tomorrow morning.....

[JohnM]

And as I stared into the valley of death - well it just feels like it sometimes - Mark revealled ....





NB Pics renamed to save bandwidth to .jpgx - can't seem to modify my original post