Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Gooders on 09 April 2009, 18:27:51

Title: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 09 April 2009, 18:27:51
A couple of weeks ago I changed the engine coolant on my CD 2.2 (2001) Auto petrol. My first problem after the change was a leak from the drain plug on the bottom of the rad, I bought and fitted new plug, still leaking, so refitted old plug with some PTFE tape around it this stopped the leak. A day or so after water on the garage floor from the passenger side of the engine bay as far as I can see there are no pipes containing water on this side of the engine bay had the  car up on a ramp to look underneath and there are no signs of a leak anywhere and its to far away from the drain plug which is still dry. Whilst the car was up on the ramp I did notice a water leak from a small pipe just above the oil filter, this I repaired. But I'm at a loss as to where the other leak is coming from. Thanks in antcipation of your help and advice ;)
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: djm1964 on 09 April 2009, 19:18:29
I think I have the same thing  :( took to the garage today ( after Elite Pete's adivce about the rad plug ) but just looked out the window and she ha :( the little puddle still there sadly. Will watch this post for any solutions

Take care

Dave :y
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 10 April 2009, 08:10:23
Hi Dave
If I solve the  problem I will PM you mate (if you would do the same pls) Looks like our miggys didn't like having the coolant changed, looks like the new stuff has found the weak spots.....Wish I'd left the old stuff in now  >:( and just topped up.

Neil  ;)
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 April 2009, 08:25:57
Are you actually now loosing coolant or just have signs of water on the floor.

If the latter, then it may be run off from the scuttel drain etc.

Also be awar that is the aircon is on then condensate will also drain near the gearbox tunnel
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: mark.adams on 10 April 2009, 08:54:29
Don't be tempted to use radweld, see the photos in the link of my 2 year old head gasket after using radweld.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1236537442
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 10 April 2009, 14:00:12
Thanks Mark.A thought about radweld but your advice is much appreciated so radweld is a NONO.

 :y
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 10 April 2009, 14:13:58
Hi Marks DTM
The water on the floor does have coolant in it, so I sort of ruled out the air con as it's usaully evening time when I put the car in the garage and it's not been run and the air con has been off. What does the scuttle drain, drain off?. I have lost about half a litre in 3 maybe 4 days.
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 11 April 2009, 12:51:49
Any advice Guys.   :y
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: mark.adams on 11 April 2009, 16:23:18
Have you had a look at the Heater Bypass Valve? it's the 'space station' looking thing in black behind the engine tucked away beneath the scuttle.
Pop the windscreen wiper arms off (13mm nut), remove the scuttle, clips beneath windscreen rubber and small torx screw then you'll be able to see it better, quite well known for leaking on omegas, about 30 quid for a genuine Vx replacement part.
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Andy B on 11 April 2009, 16:42:20
Quote
.... it's the 'space station' looking thing in black  .......

 :-? I think you'll find it's the Star Ship Enterprise (with a twist) looking thing!!  ;D   ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: mark.adams on 11 April 2009, 19:58:13
Quote

 :-? I think you'll find it's the Star Ship Enterprise (with a twist) looking thing!!  ;D   ;D  ;D
Doesn't that depend on which sci-fi channel you're glued to ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 12 April 2009, 20:20:12
Will give it a go thanks.   :y
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: albitz on 12 April 2009, 20:28:21
I have a similar leak on mine,I thought it was the drain plug at first as the puddle gathers directly beneath where it is.I have now traced it to the top of the rad,the plastic is cracked near where the top hose fits to the rad and it trickles down the side and drips beside the drain plug.
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 13 April 2009, 15:13:41
Thanks for the advice so far.  The leak from the drain plug is now sorted thanks to some PTFE tape. I mentioned in earlier posts about a leak on the passenger side of the car on inspection I have found that the leak is coming from a part that sits just above the oil filter and has two rubber hoses connected to it, it leaks coolant from the back which runs down and along the sump and drips off on the passenger side of the sump, so I only have the one leak on the part mentioned above, can anyone give me an indication what this part is and does please is it easy to remove, replace, renew etc. Is there an how to on the forum?. Thanks again in antcipation of your help.   :y
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Richard A on 13 April 2009, 17:50:05
It could be a lot of things, HBV, leaking hose, drain tap, however if the 'coolant leak' is somewhere at the front ie  under the rad,  it tends to be the rad itself, or more precisely the joint between the 'alloy rad' and the right hand plastic side pod, it  lasts about 9 years/120,000miles, maybe more if the 50/50 coolant has been constant, but in the end it leaks !!!
Only thing to do is replace the radiator  :'( :'(
good luck
regards
richarda  
Title: Re: Help needed: Coolant Leak
Post by: Gooders on 13 April 2009, 18:49:47
The leak is coming from whatever it's called above the oil filter with the 2 rubber hoses attatched to it, that the oil filter connects to.