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[DrAndyB]

Hi,
I have just noticed a small coolant leak on my omega (2.5V6 CDX – V plate – 59k on clock – owned from new).
It appears to leave a small (probably a couple of teaspoons full) of green coolant/water under the car when parked. 

It appears to have trickled down and drips off the two bolts at the bottom of the gearbox/cluctch ? (two small torx bolt heads stick straight down) right in the middle just behind the front wheels.
I suspect its originating from higher toward the back of the engine (at the back) and working its way down.  I perhaps noticed a little of green water resudue on the bottom of the AC compressor (more towards passenger side) but the drip ends up coming off the two bolts I mentioned.

I have read there are some pipes to watch out for at the back of the engine bay ?
I only do about 1000 miles a year, and probably only use it once a week so not sure if that has lead to the problems but my journey is about 10 miles so all up to temp.
I was looking to see if anybody knew of a good independent garage in the Chester / Wirral area ?

Thanks in advance.
Andy.

[Andy B]

Hi,
I have just noticed a small coolant leak on my omega (2.5V6 CDX – V plate – 59k on clock – owned from new).
It appears to leave a small (probably a couple of teaspoons full) of green coolant/water under the car when parked. 

It appears to have trickled down and drips off the two bolts at the bottom of the gearbox/cluctch ? (two small torx bolt heads stick straight down) right in the middle just behind the front wheels.
I suspect its originating from higher toward the back of the engine (at the back) and working its way down.  I perhaps noticed a little of green water resudue on the bottom of the AC compressor (more towards passenger side) but the drip ends up coming off the two bolts I mentioned.

I have read there are some pipes to watch out for at the back of the engine bay ?
I only do about 1000 miles a year, and probably only use it once a week so not sure if that has lead to the problems but my journey is about 10 miles so all up to temp.
I was looking to see if anybody knew of a good independent garage in the Chester / Wirral area ?

Thanks in advance.
Andy.

Welcome to the forum
Any coolant that drips from the bottom of the gearbox where you say is likely to be from the heater bypass valve http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90574.0
The 'green water residue' from the bottom of your a/c compressor will more than likely be the dye they put into the a/c system to help identify refrigerant leaks ..... you look to have found one! 


Just plain old Andy B   

[alank46]

Ditto, HBV (Heater Bypass Valve)
Alan

PS It could just drip gently for months before failing completely, or like mine leak badly within a day.

[DrAndyB]

Many thanks.

The guide looks fairly simple (last words !) so I may give it a go myself.

I assume if I am carefull I can use the same hoses so not need to get anything extra other than new HBV (from Vauxhall) and antifreeze.

Any recommendations on antifreeze (ratios) and refilling process/proceedures when its been drained to prevent airlocks ?

I have not had the cam belt and tensioner done for a while, so I am perhaps talking myself into getting a good local independent to do both ?

thanks all,
Andy.

[Andy B]

Many thanks.

The guide looks fairly simple (last words !) so I may give it a go myself.

I assume if I am carefull I can use the same hoses so not need to get anything extra other than new HBV (from Vauxhall) and antifreeze.

Any recommendations on antifreeze (ratios) and refilling process/proceedures when its been drained to prevent airlocks ?

I have not had the cam belt and tensioner done for a while, so I am perhaps talking myself into getting a good local independent to do both ?

thanks all,
Andy.

All hoses & clips can be re-used, you'll find that the clips can be a sod sometimes to remove/replace. You lose very little anti-freeze when you do the job and no need to drain it all, unless of course it's due for a change anyway, 50/50 is what you need to end up with. If you look through the guides, I'm sure there's one for the coolant  the whole system holds around 10 litres
Elite Pete isn't very far from you & Darth Loo Knee has just made a reappearance & is willing to travel

Elite Pete

Darth Loo Knee aka Daz

[DrAndyB]

Just run car up to temp (with heater on hi for a bit and then low) and no sign of coolant  drips from the HBV  or under car ?

I'll leave overnight, but maybe that it only leaks a short amount when it cools down ?

Tried to find the link of how to drain and refill the coolant, but not much luck :-(

Hummmmm

[Andy B]

Just run car up to temp (with heater on hi for a bit and then low) and no sign of coolant  drips from the HBV  or under car ?

 .... 

HBV can often leak or not at varying set temps or even whether the a/c is on or off.

I knew there was a guide  It was done a a 4 cylinder car, but the routine is the same for V6s Considering where you say the coolant is dripping, it's almost certain that it'll be the HBV

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90625.0

[Andy B]

.

[DrAndyB]

Fantastic - thanks for the coolant link.  As mine is a V6, I may top up once it runs clear with antifreeze straight as I gather this will give me the correct 50/50 mix.

One final query - it mentions "burping" the hoses ?  Is this squeezing the rad hoses when engine running ? And is there a particular to focus the "burping" :-)

Thanks again in advance.
Andy.

[Radar]

Could it be oil cooler plate needs resealing?

[DrAndyB]

Daft question, but given the Leaking fluid when I saw it was Green, I assume this is the OLD coolant as I see people mention red or blue, with red the new stuff.

[05omegav6]

Blue coolant could have a green tinge to it

[Andy B]

Daft question, but given the Leaking fluid when I saw it was Green, I assume this is the OLD coolant as I see people mention red or blue, with red the new stuff.

I assume it is too ..... what colour is the stuff in your header tank? 

[Andy B]

Fantastic - thanks for the coolant link.  As mine is a V6, I may top up once it runs clear with antifreeze straight as I gather this will give me the correct 50/50 mix.

One final query - it mentions "burping" the hoses ?  Is this squeezing the rad hoses when engine running ? And is there a particular to focus the "burping" :-)

Thanks again in advance.
Andy.

As above, you'll lose very little coolant when you do the HBV, so I wouldn't worry too much, you could always top  up witha 50/50 mix afterwards.

Burping .... yes, just squeezing the hoses, no particular sequence. Run the engine with the cap off, keep topping up with coolant/water, don't let it get fully hot, otherwise it'll all spew out the top of the header. When the level stay constant, replace the cap & then just keep an eye on the level over the next few days

[DrAndyB]

Just been for a lay down under the car as it's dripping now;-)

Coolant is definitely Green.

Appears to run down what I assume is bell housing, by starter motor.

I have put hands around the HBV and all dry !

I have  few pics I shall try to post.

If oil cooler, guess this is more difficult job ?