Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: DrAndyB on 21 September 2013, 14:38:06

Title: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 21 September 2013, 14:38:06
Hi,

I have managed to take a few pics now at:  https://fluidleakomega25v6.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

Went for long drive (1hr) and no leaks.

Car sat for 2 hrs cooling down before the dribble then started.

It is not a fast dribble, and normally has stopped the next morning.  I shall test this theory today and report back.

Seems to come from under the heat shield (see pics on drivers side of the V6 exhaust manifold) and I can't trace it any further.  HVB BONE dry as are pipes around them (I just managed, at the expense of some skin on my knuckles to pop the temp sensor wire back   :'( - thanks for the tip - Could of done with a gynecologist to put the wire back  :D).

The ofending fluid perhaps feels a little viscous/oily than watery, and more green but jury out until I have my sample later.

I have left a clean container under the car so will collect sample and compare to my coolant sample (which I can confirm is a blue/tourquoise colour).

The leak in question I thought was more greenish (but the garage floor is painted grey !!!!).

Once I get a sample from my strategically placed container I shall compare the fluids and report back  :D

I'll keep posted.

Andy.
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: dbug on 21 September 2013, 22:19:28
Hard to see from your pics - but more likely its a coolant leak in this area.  You need to check colour of leakage to coolant sample to confirm its coolant - unlikely to be a refrigerant leak in this area.

Suspect areas - hbv, hose from hbv to coolant bridge (pinhole - major leak in this hose and it will really gush out), coolant bridge seals or oil cooler cover.

HTH ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Seth on 22 September 2013, 10:55:09
Hi,

I have managed to take a few pics now at:  https://fluidleakomega25v6.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/47a3d700b3127cce98548a7623cc00000035100Aasm7dizcMW9A.jpeg)
From below


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/47a3d700b3127cce98548a77a2fd00000035100Aasm7dizcMW9A.jpeg)
From below


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/47a3d700b3127cce98548a7423ce00000035100Aasm7dizcMW9A.jpeg)
Disappears behind starter?


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/47a3d700b3127cce98548a75a2ff00000035100Aasm7dizcMW9A.jpeg)
Disappears behind the heat shield


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/47a3d700b3127cce98548a7223c800000035100Aasm7dizcMW9A.jpeg)
Bit on top of starter
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 22 September 2013, 12:54:20
Thanks to all for advice.

Sample this morning confirms coolant and is dripping onto the top of bell housing from higher up near hbv (hvb and all pipes at back i can reach  :-\ bone dry),.  Total fluid loss is a few teaspoons and has stopped now all cooled down.

Looks a bugger to get to.  Anybody had experience with Vauxhall specialists Midpoint Garage Middlewhich in Cheshire or Vauxcare birkenhead ?

One thought is to try a Coolant sealer in the system, but something tells me this is not a good idea so I guess I should avoid temptation to put some in the system ????
Thanks again.
Andy.
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: albitz on 22 September 2013, 13:08:18
Avoid sealants. ;)
Whip off the plenum & manifold and all will probably be revealed. :y
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: VXL V6 on 22 September 2013, 20:04:05
I'd give Daz in Stoke a buzz  :y
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 22 September 2013, 21:04:25
Cheers  :y
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Elite Pete on 22 September 2013, 21:08:18
Where are you in Cheshire Andy?
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 22 September 2013, 21:14:55
Hi there,

I am in Neston on the Wirral.  About 15 mins north of Chester (and the zoo :D) - CH64.

Any recommendations most welcome  :y as the old girl is in the garage until can get sorted  :'(

Andy.
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Elite Pete on 22 September 2013, 21:19:17
Hi there,

I am in Neston on the Wirral.  About 15 mins north of Chester (and the zoo :D) - CH64.

Any recommendations most welcome  :y as the old girl is in the garage until can get sorted  :'(

Andy.
I know it well, lived in Little Neston about 20 years ago.
I've got loads on at the moment but your more than welcome to nip over one night and i'll whip the plenum off and pressurise the cooling system to find the leak
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 22 September 2013, 21:25:24
Cheers  :y

Happy to pop over.  I shall PM you later in the week if that is OK to arrange suitable time.

Many thanks again.

Andy. :)
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Elite Pete on 22 September 2013, 21:29:00
Cheers  :y

Happy to pop over.  I shall PM you later in the week if that is OK to arrange suitable time.

Many thanks again.

Andy. :)

Yeah no problem. I've got a little leak to sort out for Vauxsull as well so i'll do them at the same time :y
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: SMD on 25 September 2013, 13:37:25
Did this get sorted? If so, what was it?
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Gaffers on 25 September 2013, 13:42:28
Did anybody ask what year the car is....the location of the leak makes me question the whole 1998 HG issue  :-\
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Radar on 25 September 2013, 13:52:33
OP mentioned it was a V plate (in another thread).
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 25 September 2013, 22:27:02
Its a V plate 2.5 V6 CDX, last of the old shape before the facelift model.  Registered 2000 and I have had it from 6 month old so know history  :y

Car only done 58k miles.

No signs of water in oil, and coolant leak is identical in colour and shade to coolant in header tank - blue/touquoise.

Only drips about a tablespoon or two after the engine has cooled.  Usually start to track and drip an hour or two after switch off.  No drips next day and stays bone dry around HBV.  Appears to drip and track down either side of the bell housing to then finally drip from the two bolts by gearbox/bell housing.

Daz has been recommended  :y so hopefully should be able to get there in a few weeks to diagnose and sort  :y

I'll let know when/if get to the bottom of things.

Andy.
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Strangechap on 25 September 2013, 23:08:29
I had a leak similar to yours. HBV was also bone dry. It was where the hose from the matrix connected to it. It would leak a while after I stopped, leading to drips like you describe. I think it was leaking so slowly the heat was evaporating the coolant off the HBV and it was only when it cooled down enough did it work its way down.

HBV gets my vote. It was clear as day when I took it off as I could see where the coolant had constantly dried.

Rather then trying to guess the cause, take it off and check it, then you can start eliminating stuff.
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: DrAndyB on 26 September 2013, 18:46:20
Cheers. :y
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: Malcolm_D on 22 October 2013, 21:15:00
Not sure if you have got this sorted but I have just had similar on my 2.6, thought it was the notorious hbv at first so bought one (GM) and swapped it, but still leaking. As it was also time to do the cam covers and breathers I took the opportunity to try to locate the leak, appeared to be from the metal coolant transfer pipe which has a 40mm o ring as it enters the back of the block, a small amount of coolant was dribbling out, onto the bell housing and running down the passenger side. Impossible to find unless the plenum, injector rail etc are removed, even then it was a nightmare of a job! Only way to see it was laid on engine with a torch and a mirror!! Happy days.  ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Drip - Help - UPDATE - Pics now !
Post by: symes on 23 October 2013, 19:50:22
from your pics -would say leak is from crossover bridge-under inlet manifold-getting to it is a bit of a pain but costs a couple of washers on banjo bolts