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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Jonesie on 20 July 2009, 22:13:19

Title: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 20 July 2009, 22:13:19
When i 1st picked up the car i took her for a spin and it flashed up coolant level, so i topped it up and thought no more about it, went out later and it flased up again, checks the expansion tank and water is gone, so refills again and had a gander underneath the engine, sure enough its got a leak from the back. I know what your first thoughts are, they're the same as mine was, i pulled the scuttle out and checked the HBV, nope bone dry. I then put the tank cap back on and the leak stopped. So this leads me to believe that its leaking from the water inlet pipe, how much of a pain in the ass am i looking at?
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: deviator on 21 July 2009, 10:01:52
Putting the cap back on seals the system again, therefore the flow stops.

Check the banjo bolts on the coolant bridge between the two heads, common fault.
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 21 July 2009, 20:22:54
Quote
Putting the cap back on seals the system again, therefore the flow stops.

Check the banjo bolts on the coolant bridge between the two heads, common fault.

I found it earlier thanks to my mate blowing his ciggy smoke into the expansion tank then preasurising the system with his mouth and looking out for the smoke, sure enough out it popped on the bridge  ;D At least it isnt where i thought it was  :y
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: sneakypenguin on 22 July 2009, 01:44:53
Quote
Quote
Putting the cap back on seals the system again, therefore the flow stops.

Check the banjo bolts on the coolant bridge between the two heads, common fault.

I found it earlier thanks to my mate blowing his ciggy smoke into the expansion tank then preasurising the system with his mouth and looking out for the smoke, sure enough out it popped on the bridge  ;D At least it isnt where i thought it was  :y

Lmao, thats one way to check
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: deviator on 22 July 2009, 08:08:38
I have never thought of that, but I like the idea and might have to use it. (May even try and pass it off as my idea!   ::))
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 22 July 2009, 22:01:24
well took the pelum off today, turns out the leak isnt coming from the bridge, it seems to be coming from the pipe with the arrow (pinched photo from another thread ;D) Has anybody had any problems with this little sod? any help appreciated
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/Jonesie666/V6OC3.jpg)
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Entwood on 22 July 2009, 22:07:07
If I'm not mistaken .... thats the pipe that goes to the thermostat, it connects by a push fit section with 2 o-rings and is held by the "bastard bolt" from t'other side.

I'm thinking you may have to remove the thermostat and check all the connections/o-rings .. :(
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 22 July 2009, 22:17:15
that sounds like fun. Dont suppose we have a guide knocking around?
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Entwood on 22 July 2009, 22:18:45
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that sounds like fun. Dont suppose we have a guide knocking around?


http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1229464812

:)
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 22 July 2009, 22:31:25
Now for my final question ;D Does anyone know where i can find the units part number that fits my s plate 2.5 v6?
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Entwood on 22 July 2009, 22:52:09
Quote
Now for my final question ;D Does anyone know where i can find the units part number that fits my s plate 2.5 v6?

depends on which "parts" you want ...  :-/ :-/

Thermostat gasket ??

Link pipe o-rings ??

Thermostat itself ???

with any luck one of the experts will pass by soon and offer better advice than I can give ....  I was unhappy about the "bastard bolt" so got Loo-Knee and Pete to change my thermostat for me ... and I'm very glad I did .......   ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: deviator on 23 July 2009, 00:03:30
Yep thats the thermostat housing.

You will need to remove the cambelt and back pan to get the thermostat and pipe out.

Stick a new thermostat in it for the cost whilst you are there (maybe a cooler running one) stick a new o-ring/seal on the end of the pipe. Maybe worth doing a cambelt and water pump change, depending on when it was last done. Give the oil cooler a visual inspection whilst you are there, just to make sure the 2 bolts on the top cover are ok, IE not leaking. The oil cooler is under the inlet divider (the black bit you have stick tissues in).

With regards to the 'bastard bolt', I presume you are talking about the bolt on the right hand side of the head, IE the other end of the pipe. Yes its a git. The best piece of advise I can give you, is as I've said I am pretty certin you need to remove cambelt/back pan, once removed you can geta 10mm spanner in there from the front of the engine. Its a pain as you can only get 1/4 or even 1/8 a turn and then you end up having to remove then turn the spanner over to go again. You can get it from the bottom IIRC, but the last time I did it that way it was 1/8 a turn, turn spanner over, 1/8 a turn then climb out and do 1/8 a turn from the top - then back under for another 2 x 1/8 a turn. Its not fun.

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Entwood on 23 July 2009, 00:09:00
Quote
Yep thats the thermostat housing.

You will need to remove the cambelt and back pan to get the thermostat and pipe out.

Stick a new thermostat in it for the cost whilst you are there (maybe a cooler running one) stick a new o-ring/seal on the end of the pipe. Maybe worth doing a cambelt and water pump change, depending on when it was last done. Give the oil cooler a visual inspection whilst you are there, just to make sure the 2 bolts on the top cover are ok, IE not leaking. The oil cooler is under the inlet divider (the black bit you have stick tissues in).

Hope that helps.


Loo-knee and Pete certainly didn't do that !!
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: deviator on 23 July 2009, 00:15:50
It's a real struggle to get enough clearance for the thermostat.

I wonder if you could spin the thermostat in the housing to drop it and then once removed you might be able to turn the pipe over to change the seal. You may be able to, but the only time I have done thermostats on the the v6's I have removed the cambelt & backpan. Certainly makes the 'b'stard bolt' easier.
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 25 July 2009, 11:15:21
Well i've set too today, picking up a new stat today when they get it in. I've managed to get the bastard bolt out (FYI very very easy with a 10mm pivit head ratchet spanner, took 2mins!) But now im struggling to seperate the link pipe and stat housing, any tips?
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: al brown on 25 July 2009, 18:17:11
I had the same problem. Couldn't seperate the pipe, managed to get enough play in it to rorate the stat housing and change the stat with the pipe attached.
Wife thought I had cut my arm off cause when I went to redo the b*** bolt up the pipe fell of as soon as I touched it. Oh well. Anyway if you are gentle you can still change the stat with the pipe in place (although mine was almost out it would seem).
Definately dont touch the cambelt to do a stat change tho.
Al
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Jonesie on 25 July 2009, 21:01:18
Well, i got fed up and thought as i was replacing the stat + housing the easiest way was gonna be to use a hole punch, knock a hole through the housing near the link pipe, made the hole bigger then punched through the otherside of the housing and snapped it off. Alot easier ;D. Im glad i had a good poke round the oil cooler cover, as soon as i touched it with the end of a screwdriver the metal just fell away like tin foil so it was on its way out. Will a 2nd hand cover plate be alright? begrudge shelling out £100 new >:(
Title: Re: Another day, another problem
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 25 July 2009, 21:19:57
Quote
Well, i got fed up and thought as i was replacing the stat + housing the easiest way was gonna be to use a hole punch, knock a hole through the housing near the link pipe, made the hole bigger then punched through the otherside of the housing and snapped it off. Alot easier ;D. Im glad i had a good poke round the oil cooler cover, as soon as i touched it with the end of a screwdriver the metal just fell away like tin foil so it was on its way out. Will a 2nd hand cover plate be alright? begrudge shelling out £100 new >:(


Me personally would put a new oil cooler in whilst you are there, you may think it has not gone but believe me if it does go and you have to clean out the coolant system around 20 times to remove the oil you will have wished you had. PLus with a new oil cooler you get the plate too :y