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Author Topic: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)  (Read 3207 times)

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moggy

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #15 on: 13 April 2011, 21:27:39 »
A big thanks to all,but unfortunately.1 I don't think i am up to doing it myself not mechanically minded.2 I don't really have the time at the mo as i am working all the hours god sends.3 Funds are very tight at the mo as i don't get paid till the end of the month.Is there anything i can do in the mean time :y :y :-/
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Andy B

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #16 on: 13 April 2011, 21:30:45 »
Quote
...Is there anything i can do in the mean time :y :y :-/

use the bus
borrow a car
keep a very close eye on the level

it won't fix itself & running without/with low coolant can cause over heating problems which eventually causes warped heads etc
It'll take you an hour or so to fit & £35 for a new valve.  :y :y
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twiglet

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #17 on: 13 April 2011, 21:52:52 »
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A big thanks to all,but unfortunately.1 I don't think i am up to doing it myself not mechanically minded.2 I don't really have the time at the mo as i am working all the hours god sends.3 Funds are very tight at the mo as i don't get paid till the end of the month.Is there anything i can do in the mean time :y :y :-/

Honestly mate, I had exactly the same problem as you about a year ago. In fact, it was how I came across this forum.

All the experienced guys bon here said HBV, HBV, HBV!!! I thought nah, it can't be that simple!!

After a hole lot of worrying about head gaskets, buying a lemon, etc, etc. I pulled my finger out... spent 29 quid a new HBV, spent a couple of hours with a mate following the guides on here and hey presto, job done!!

Not everything in life is complicated and expensive...  :y
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moggy

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #18 on: 13 April 2011, 21:59:48 »
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...Is there anything i can do in the mean time :y :y :-/

use the bus (to far to work)
borrow a car(every one i know use theirs)
keep a very close eye on the level(i will)

it won't fix itself & running without/with low coolant can cause over heating problems which eventually causes warped heads etc
It'll take you an hour or so to fit & £35 for a new valve.  :y :y
Thanks Andy,i could afford £35 and an hours work.Just worried i may make a mistake and not put something back right.Also I'm not sure its hbv or heater matrix,it would be great if an expert took a look and could tell me exactly.May take a run to see daz or pete. :y :y
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Andy B

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #19 on: 13 April 2011, 22:19:33 »
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....Also I'm not sure its hbv or heater matrix,it would be great if an expert took a look and could tell me exactly.May take a run to see daz or pete. :y :y

Does your car particularly mist up inside? Or are your carpets at all wet? If yes to both it could be the matrix, but in all probability it'll be the HBV. HBVs can be OK on certain heating settings & leak on others. When mine last failed, I noticed a trail of water on the dry road I'd just turned around on & when I stuck my head under the car could see coolant trickling down behind the gearbox. When I turned the A/C off, the leak stopped.
Pretty sure there's a guide here somewhere & it'll not take you long. Apart from the thin vacuum line to the diaphragm inside, there are only 3 water pipes to/from it so not too difficult to get wrong (but not impossible  ::))  :y
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JamesV6CDX

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #20 on: 14 April 2011, 12:09:04 »
What is your location Moggy?
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moggy

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #21 on: 14 April 2011, 17:03:15 »
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What is your location Moggy?
James,i live five minutes from Birmingham international airport. :y BTW.Got home tonight coolant dripping down from the back of the engine :(
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moggy

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #22 on: 14 April 2011, 17:05:54 »
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....Also I'm not sure its hbv or heater matrix,it would be great if an expert took a look and could tell me exactly.May take a run to see daz or pete. :y :y

Does your car particularly mist up inside? Or are your carpets at all wet? If yes to both it could be the matrix, but in all probability it'll be the HBV. HBVs can be OK on certain heating settings & leak on others. When mine last failed, I noticed a trail of water on the dry road I'd just turned around on & when I stuck my head under the car could see coolant trickling down behind the gearbox. When I turned the A/C off, the leak stopped.
Pretty sure there's a guide here somewhere & it'll not take you long. Apart from the thin vacuum line to the diaphragm inside, there are only 3 water pipes to/from it so not too difficult to get wrong (but not impossible  ::))  :y
Andy,no misting up or wet carpets :).But see my previous post :(
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JamesV6CDX

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #23 on: 14 April 2011, 17:55:16 »
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What is your location Moggy?
James,i live five minutes from Birmingham international airport. :y BTW.Got home tonight coolant dripping down from the back of the engine :(

I am catching a flight from there, next Sunday, at lunchtime. I'm arriving three hours early for the flight (train times) so could potentially spare half hour or so if you wanted to meet me there and have me look under your bonnet...

How much do you rely on the car?
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moggy

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #24 on: 14 April 2011, 18:41:53 »
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Quote
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What is your location Moggy?
James,i live five minutes from Birmingham international airport. :y BTW.Got home tonight coolant dripping down from the back of the engine :(

I am catching a flight from there, next Sunday, at lunchtime. I'm arriving three hours early for the flight (train times) so could potentially spare half hour or so if you wanted to meet me there and have me look under your bonnet...

How much do you rely on the car?
James,without the car both me and the wife would be out of work.We travel 30 mile to work and back everyday,it would be great if you could have a look :) :y.Do you mean Sunday 24Th, if so do you think i should trust it till then :-/
« Last Edit: 14 April 2011, 18:43:12 by dancer »
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twiglet

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #25 on: 14 April 2011, 20:11:32 »
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What is your location Moggy?
James,i live five minutes from Birmingham international airport. :y BTW.Got home tonight coolant dripping down from the back of the engine :(

Mate, its almost definitely the HBV! The HBV sits just under the scuttle "at the back of the engine"

You should be ok to continue using the car until James looks at it.  Just keep a very close eye on the coolant level, and keep plenty of water in the car for top ups!!  You'll be fine buddy!  :y
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moggy

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #26 on: 14 April 2011, 20:24:09 »
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Quote
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What is your location Moggy?
James,i live five minutes from Birmingham international airport. :y BTW.Got home tonight coolant dripping down from the back of the engine :(

Mate, its almost definitely the HBV! The HBV sits just under the scuttle "at the back of the engine"

You should be ok to continue using the car until James looks at it.  Just keep a very close eye on the coolant level, and keep plenty of water in the car for top ups!!  You'll be fine buddy!  :y
Cheers Twiglet,Btw is a heater bypass valve the same as a heater control valve.As someone said £35 but on ebay they are between £10 to £15. :-/ :y
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Andy B

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #27 on: 14 April 2011, 21:55:10 »
Quote
....
Cheers Twiglet,Btw is a heater bypass valve the same as a heater control valve.As someone said £35 but on ebay they are between £10 to £15. :-/ :y

same thing. but IIRC some forum members had problems with pattern HBVs failing prematurely. As it's such a PITA to change I'd bite the bullet & buy an OE part. I changed mine shortly after buying my car over 7 yrs ago & again 5 yrs later.  ;) ;) ;)
OE ..... you know it makes sense!  ;) ;) ;) :y
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cem_devecioglu

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #28 on: 14 April 2011, 22:23:52 »
there are color dyes so you can pinpoint easier..

also omegas coolant leak areas are mostly common..

hbv
heater matrix
thermostat and oil cooler area (under inlet/plenum)
coolant cap (you can listen it when the engine is hot -silent place)
coolant hoses (rare)
head gasket (not the end of world)

ps: also normal coolant let some traces that can be seen by some black light (seen in service) but must be dark around..
« Last Edit: 14 April 2011, 22:30:12 by cem_devecioglu »
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chrisdb

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Re: coolant disappearing(but don't know where)
« Reply #29 on: 15 April 2011, 18:57:43 »
Moggy, I'm just about to fit a new HBV as a preventative measure and so will have the old one from my car which should be OK at least for a while so at least you won't have to spend any money. I can come over to Birmingham this Sunday morning and fit it for you if that's any good?... I don't charge but I wouldn't refuse lunch  :y
« Last Edit: 15 April 2011, 18:59:10 by chrisdb »
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