Coolant Leak!

[gninnam]

Originally Posted by M-A8

Slowly getting there Andy, good stuff
Check the rad, when I was changing my cam I wasn't happy with mine so I changed it. When I had belt off I also changed the rollers, tensioners, pump, thermostat as they all are not that expensive, but if one fails or rollers will get noise, it's all over again.

Will have a look tomorrow - need it sorted for next week as mine goes in for some work!!

[gninnam]

Update:

Sussed it - removed the engine support arm off the front and the oil cooler just slides in

Didn't have to take the fan off the bracket either - just removed the blades and you can just about get a socket in there to undo the bolt, then after removing the other 2 bolts, you can move it forward and continue undoing the bolt until it comes off - simples.

Checked the water pump and the rest of the hoses and they all look good (as do the belt guides)
Just putting everything back now and will then see if I still have a leak

[gninnam]

Update:

So - a few pics of the area where the oil cooler should go and also of the new metal pipe (thanks again ainarssems ):





Pulled the front engine mount off and it made the process soo easy:


So now all fitted




Filled the engine up with new oil (and fitted a new oil filter) - added around 8 litres of water (wasn't going to use antifreeze) and ran it for around 20 minutes with no loss of coolant

Will flush the coolant tomorrow and add the anti-freeze then put the front end back on and see how we go.

Cheers

[gninnam]

No leaks so the front was put back on but discovered that I had a cabling dangling when I went underneath to put the undertray back on - whoops

After asking on here - went back out and located where it should go - at the bottom of the radiator on the offside

Put it back together and replaced the water I had filled it up to check for leaks with a 50/50 mix of G12 antifreeze and distilled water.

Front back on with all the bits and bobs and went for a spin.

Damn - temperature shot up so had to pull over.
Lifted the bonnet and all the coolant was still there so I have another issue bu the looks of things

Could be an air lock so will check for that or could be the thermostat which I believe is another front end off - damn (sure there is a moral to this story and I am sure that someone will be along to tell me that )

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Hi Andy, now you've got that far it's a no brainer having a look. Replace that plastic pipe anyway now you’re in there. Check the thermostat as well as the block corrodes around the hole. Take the cam covers off, you might have to let the rads go at the top to give you a bit more room to check the water pump. Only other thing I can think of is the rad its self weeping and its running back down the pipe?

It's not a front end off job mate you can get to it by moving the top hose out your way a bit of a knuckle scraper but it can be done. The 3 bolts may be a touch tight and make sure you pick up or have included a new O ring for it. You will loose some of that nice new antifreeze so a clean catcher under the car too.

[gninnam]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

It's not a front end off job mate you can get to it by moving the top hose out your way a bit of a knuckle scraper but it can be done. The 3 bolts may be a touch tight and make sure you pick up or have included a new O ring for it. You will loose some of that nice new antifreeze so a clean catcher under the car too.

Cheers - would it be a good move to replace the water pump to as this is in front of it?

[Dezzy]

The pump is beside the thermostat so you can change it out without even removing a cam cover. Only 2 bolts too and not 3 as i eariler suggested

Conan kindly removed an engine so we could get a better look.





The system is fitted with bleed valves on the pipe at the bulkhead to make that bit esier for you and try that first i would.

[ainarssems]

Yours is FL so thermostat will be behind cambelt. While it is possible to do it without front end removal it's a lot easier with it in service position. Dezzy's pictures show PF which is a lot easier to change thermostat but pump is belt off job on PF as well.

Just for reference if somebody else is looking circled in red in Dezzys pictures is thermostat, the water pump is in yellow below.

[gninnam]

Cheers both - so front off and move the cam belt forward so the coolant pipe and metal housing can be moved forward and out so the thermostat can then be removed........

Nice job for me this week then after work.

[ainarssems]

Pdf's for thermostat and cambelt attached for FL 40v engine