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[Sir Tigger KC]

My coolant is pissing out now and I'm topping up nearly every morning.   

So apart from the HBV, Oil Cooler Plate, Nearside Headgasket, and Thermostat where else should I be looking?    It's leaking down the back of the engine and I've pressure tested and run it with the scuttle off and cant see any thing obvious apart from the Oil Cooler Plate. 

I think I saw something recently about the big stainless coolant pipe that comes out of the back of the engine? 

Anything else? 

[Webby the Bear]

If you remove your plenum and inlets youll see the valley of the 'V'.

If this area is wet 'n' red youll know where its leaking from. then you can plug the hoses going to the plenum and re-pressure test and you should see it pishing out

[humbucker]

Heater matrix pipes?

[amba]

The large silevr pipe that runs from above alternator to back of block is the coolant transfer pipe.

It does have a rubber 0 ring sealing it to the block and it is possible that has failed but a pressure test would conclude for sure.

Has been mentioned before to drop all coolant and then add a dye to the new water which would then become much more obvious.Naturally dont leave untreated coolant in system for long though ,but a nice bright colour should show any leaks conclusively.

[JamesV6CDX]

Was it someone else? I'm sure we concluded HG with this car, some time ago, but I could well be mistaken!

[chrisgixer]

Lpg plumbing.... Core plug on cylinder head back of pot 6 behind coil pac.

...not really the best approach though. You need to pressurise the system with the plenum off, inlet manifold off and plastic wedge off. And keep going on every part of the loop of the cooling system until you find it.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Was it someone else? I'm sure we concluded HG with this car, some time ago, but I could well be mistaken!

Nope, it's still me banging on about my coolant leak!    I just don't want to go to all the effort of changing the head gaskets only to find it's leaking elsewhere as well. 

I have a very obvious leak from my Oil Cooler Plate and the Thermostat needs doing as well as that seems to have got 'lazy' recently, so that'll all be done. 

You need to pressurise the system with the plenum off, inlet manifold off and plastic wedge off. And keep going on every part of the loop of the cooling system until you find it.

Done all that!   

[chrisgixer]

Except you haven't fou.... Oh never mind.

[omega3000]

The large silevr pipe that runs from above alternator to back of block is the coolant transfer pipe.

It does have a rubber 0 ring sealing it to the block and it is possible that has failed but a pressure test would conclude for sure.

Has been mentioned before to drop all coolant and then add a dye to the new water which would then become much more obvious.Naturally dont leave untreated coolant in system for long though ,but a nice bright colour should show any leaks conclusively.

How do you get to that to replace , looks impossible 

[Temetsy]

The large silevr pipe that runs from above alternator to back of block is the coolant transfer pipe.

It does have a rubber 0 ring sealing it to the block and it is possible that has failed but a pressure test would conclude for sure.

Has been mentioned before to drop all coolant and then add a dye to the new water which would then become much more obvious.Naturally dont leave untreated coolant in system for long though ,but a nice bright colour should show any leaks conclusively.

How do you get to that to replace , looks impossible 

Actually not too bad of a job, I had to change the whole pipe to my engine.. Much easien with coolant bridge removed so buy washers for it too

[amba]

Need to strip plenum /etc down to expose just the valley and oil cooler.
Scuttle should be removed also the coolant bridge.You will then need to either kneel on a thick cushion/faom on the frontslam panel and basically lay across the engine with your face almost on the windscreen.With the aid of a strong torch and I found a mirror on a stick you can just about see the 2 fixing bolts that secure the transfer pipe to the block.
A selection of deep E sockets ..think its an E10..or maybe a deep ring spanner and you should with difficulty get them undone and out.The fun starts when you replace them as you will need to apply aliberal smear of grease/vaseline to the new 0 ring to stop it fallen off then get both bolts back into the holes and tighten up.How you are expected to torque them up though is an utter mystery.
It isn,t the worst job in the world,but pretty close and you will certainly have a sore/stiff back for a few days afterwards.
Best of luck...I did mine whilst replacing exhaust manifold gasket and also the oil cooler all at the same time.

[omega3000]

Need to strip plenum /etc down to expose just the valley and oil cooler.
Scuttle should be removed also the coolant bridge.You will then need to either kneel on a thick cushion/faom on the frontslam panel and basically lay across the engine with your face almost on the windscreen.With the aid of a strong torch and I found a mirror on a stick you can just about see the 2 fixing bolts that secure the transfer pipe to the block.
A selection of deep E sockets ..think its an E10..or maybe a deep ring spanner and you should with difficulty get them undone and out.The fun starts when you replace them as you will need to apply aliberal smear of grease/vaseline to the new 0 ring to stop it fallen off then get both bolts back into the holes and tighten up.How you are expected to torque them up though is an utter mystery.
It isn,t the worst job in the world,but pretty close and you will certainly have a sore/stiff back for a few days afterwards.
Best of luck...I did mine whilst replacing exhaust manifold gasket and also the oil cooler all at the same time.

 

Its about the only seal ive never replaced  Had advisory of weeping coolant down the back on last mot although ive never had to top up .. Have you the part number for the seal 

[Temetsy]

Just to say i have done most of my repairs that need reaching behind the engine by removing bagpipes and standing on sway bar with toes on oil pan Theres A LOT space between radiator and engine. I also have SAI and aircon removed so every bit of extra space is used My transfer pipe had hex bolts so with long hex key and thick gloves to protect your hands (since you're needing a lot of force to undo them when using said key with long end on bolt and short end to turn the key).

[omega3000]

The lower steel pipe in this picture , is this the pipe leading to the housing where the o ring lives  I think this seal is overlooked and could be the cause of many slight water loss 

[Temetsy]

The lower steel pipe in this picture , is this the pipe leading to the housing where the o ring lives  I think this seal is overlooked and could be the cause of many slight water loss 

Couldn't agree more, I know many cases where the leaking has stoped by changing said seal ring (after replacing everything from HBV to reversing light bulbs obviously.. )