Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Bumbazor on 22 August 2009, 12:48:55
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So I've replaced the hbv, oil cooler, and checked the pipework in the engine bay in an effort to find the source of my coolant loss.
Today I found it coming out of the pipe in the picture below. It is on the nearside, coming out of the bulkhead just above the auto gear selector. The pipe emerges through the bulkhead and into the open, and descends down about 6 inches where it is clipped into place. The end is open. The coolant also comes out of a similar location on the offside but there is no pipe, just a hole.
(http://server.tptc.org.uk/pipe.jpg)
This started a few months ago and I had already replace the hbv and oil cooler but I am really stuck now. What are these open pipes? Why would coolant be coming out of them?
Thanks
(http://)
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I can't make out the pipe in your photo but...
The a/c evaporator in the cabin has a drain which drips clean(ish) water when the cooling system is working.
If the heater matrix had a leak I assume that it would drip out of the same drain.
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Cocks.
It would that wouldn't it. About the only othe rthing it could be!
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That is not a very clear photo,but it does look like the drain for the aircon evaporator, so if you have coolant leaking from there then your problem is under the dash in the heater matrix. Hope not though. :(
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Yeha I think its the heater matrix. It's more than a drip of ac evap and its a steady drip when the cc is on. Theres also a puddle under the car after about 10 mins.
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I changed the heater matrix on my Carlton (Omega A) (no A/C). On that car the matrix slides out into the drivers footwell once the coolant pipes have been disconnected (held by a single nut & retaining plate). It would have been relatively easy if my car had been an auto and the clutch pedal hadn't been in the way ::)
I think GM stuck to a similar design for the Omega B in which case you are looking at the price of a heater matrix, two new o rings for the coolant pipes and a morning standing on your head in the drivers footwell.
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Ok, as long as it's not leaking inside the car it shouldn't be too bad.
What sort of price is a new heater matrix?
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Are you sure that what is leaking out is coolant and not the dye that is put in the air con system to show up leaks.? :-?
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Yes. My air con is chillingly effective and by now would have run dry if the amount of water coming out of that pipe so far was the air con refrigerant/dye.
This has been leaking for months so I would expect no cold air con if it was that, and my coolant level drops so I think it's obvious its coolant.
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I can't find the link that describes how to remove the heater matrix by cutting into things. Can someone point me towards it please?
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heater matrix from stealer is about 130 quid. try unflushing yours using a hose pipe if you can reach the in and out plugs into the bulkhead. proper job of removing matrix and replacing without cutting into dash means removing the whole dash. i had no choice but to take mine to the dealers to do at the time. set me back 700 quid plus vat for part and fitting, and even then they undercharged me by 50 percent as they didnt anticipate just how long it was going to take...
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I found the link and if I have to change the matrix I will be cutting the dash as neatly as possible. I will first flush but I am almost certain my matrix is buggered.
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matrix would usually leak inside the cabin, or in many instances (including mine) burst if blocked, causing boiling coolant to pi55 all over your driver's feet.
is your coolant the nice red stuff? put some white kitchen roll under the car, weigh it down, and allow the drip to fall onto the kitchen roll. you will see the colour of the offending liquid then, will know if it's coolant or not.
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Pretty sure it's coolant; there's just too much to be condensation or ac refrigerant.
Going to try the colour test though...
I know what you mean about the matrix leaking in the cabin but it's not, so it is slightly confusing as my coolant level drops, and 'something' drips out of those pipes as it does...
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Is the liquid thats coming out sweet to the taste?
You do get a lot of condensate from an effective aircon setup!
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Don't really want to taste it but going to check the colour later.
My coolant is going somewhere and I've replaced the hbv and oil cooler already. It can be as much as one inch below level after a 30 minute drive.
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have you tried pressure testing the header tank? bicycle inner tube valve in coolant lid, pump it with bike pump and see where coolant is spitting out? might be coming out of somewhere different altogether?
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Did that months ago and it held the pressure with no drips!
Which is why I think the heater matrix when it is flowing through, which it wont be with the engine off, will it?
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Well I wouldn't have beleived it until I checked but the water dripping out of the pipe is very clear so now it looks like it's condensation.
I also flushed the matrix in both directions and it ran clear almost immediately. So now it doesn't look like my matrix is faulty (I hope). Still need to find the leak! Going to try pressure test again today.
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sounds like some kind of result! keep us posted with how you get on... :y