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[Jim]

I went to look at a car today which was for sale, a 3.2 elite and I notice that the expansion tank was empty, could there be a reason other than it just needing topped up, ie leaks, gaskets the car had just over 140,000 miles on it, I had a good look at the engine and it looked dry with no obvious signs of leaks, is there anything I should look for it particular

[Mr Skrunts]

The most common one mentioned recently on the V6 is the HBV.  Located at the rear of the engine behind the Plenum and I would of thought is would be out of site on a general look round.

Other things are the obvious loo :yse hose clips ot splt pipes

[TheBoy]

Leak, obviously.

[Jim]

The most common one mentioned recently on the V6 is the HBV.  Located at the rear of the engine behind the Plenum and I would of thought is would be out of site on a general look round.

Other things are the obvious loo :yse hose clips ot splt pipes

I'm going back in the morning for a second look

[iainb]

Any poodles underneath your car?

[Entwood]

leaks on V6

HBV as mentioned
Split hose
Hose to radiator connectors
Split heater matrix
Faulty header tank cap
Oil cooler (rare)
Head gasket (even rarer)

Find out where the water is going or walk away quickly .....  could get very expensive ...

and check that the EML / emisions lights come on at ignition before engine starts .. if they don't the bulbs have ben removed to hide a problem .....  walk away

just my thoughts

[Jim]

leaks on V6

HBV as mentioned
Split hose
Hose to radiator connectors
Split heater matrix
Faulty header tank cap
Oil cooler (rare)
Head gasket (even rarer)

Find out where the water is going or walk away quickly .....  could get very expensive ...

and check that the EML / emisions lights come on at ignition before engine starts .. if they don't the bulbs have ben removed to hide a problem .....  walk away

just my thoughts

Cheers

[feeutfo]

shine a torch under plenum. Between the 2 intake pipes under throttle body, and front left/drivers side as you look at engine, where the egr valve is on your car. Look in there and down, You should be able to see the bottom of the v where oil cooler cover plate, thermostat housing and coolant bridge reside. Any signs of pink/blue/white(depending what colour antifreeze/water was used) residue/lime scale in there means a leak. Most likely to be hbv at back of plenum on bulk head will be cause of empty bottle, but also dont rule out hg failure, check oil on dipstick for mayo/thin watery gravey for oil. 3.2 will warn of low coolant level, so not much excuse for the owner not to notice. See if hes happy to run the engine, see what he does. If at that point he starts the car i would consider a quick stroll...
Also look under car at 2 bolts 4 inches apart where bell housing bolts to the engine. Most leaks drip off those 2 bolts eventually. In my experience at least.

[JamesV6CDX]

leaks on V6

HBV as mentioned
Split hose
Hose to radiator connectors
Split heater matrix
Faulty header tank cap
Oil cooler (rare)
Head gasket (even rarer)

Find out where the water is going or walk away quickly .....  could get very expensive ...

and check that the EML / emisions lights come on at ignition before engine starts .. if they don't the bulbs have ben removed to hide a problem .....  walk away

just my thoughts

Pretty much what Entwood said -

Only comment to add is that, if the car runs fine, and you can do the work yourself, (even if it is a HG) it won't be a pricey fix, parts wise

[kevpuk]

My 3lt is in the garage today to get water loss fixed.....pretty sure it is the HBV, based on symptoms and advise from these here forums  

I found that the water leek only seems to happen when I turned the temps down in the car and turned on the aircon ! Previously, in the 2 weeks or so I have had the car, temps were left on 22, more or less - Saturday was particularly hot and didn't want drafts from roof/windows with my toddler in the car, so turned on the aircon at 18.....suddenly, coolant warning, hot engine and water dripping fast off the bottom of the bell housing  

[feeutfo]

My 3lt is in the garage today to get water loss fixed.....pretty sure it is the HBV, based on symptoms and advise from these here forums  

I found that the water leek only seems to happen when I turned the temps down in the car and turned on the aircon ! Previously, in the 2 weeks or so I have had the car, temps were left on 22, more or less - Saturday was particularly hot and didn't want drafts from roof/windows with my toddler in the car, so turned on the aircon at 18.....suddenly, coolant warning, hot engine and water dripping fast off the bottom of the bell housing  

depends how the hbv splits, mine was leaking with engine off...

[johnnycboy]

shine a torch under plenum. Between the 2 intake pipes under throttle body, and front left/drivers side as you look at engine, where the egr valve is on your car. Look in there and down, You should be able to see the bottom of the v where oil cooler cover plate, thermostat housing and coolant bridge reside. Any signs of pink/blue/white(depending what colour antifreeze/water was used) residue/lime scale in there means a leak. Most likely to be hbv at back of plenum on bulk head will be cause of empty bottle, but also dont rule out hg failure, check oil on dipstick for mayo/thin watery gravey for oil. 3.2 will warn of low coolant level, so not much excuse for the owner not to notice. See if hes happy to run the engine, see what he does. If at that point he starts the car i would consider a quick stroll...
Also look under car at 2 bolts 4 inches apart where bell housing bolts to the engine. Most leaks drip off those 2 bolts eventually. In my experience at least.

Sensor may have been linked out to stop low level warning - which may indicate a more underlying leak, just ask seller how much water it's losing ands how often.  As said if price is right may be a cheap fix

[Jim]

Cheers Guys for all the advise