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[terry paget]

2.5 petrol manual estate
I reported recently how this car was losing coolant briskly on LO-LO auto setting. I changed the HBV valve for new bought from Drive Vauxhall Bristol. All seemed well, I drove the car 200 miles last Friday, then lent the car to son Ben while I repaired his stalling Rover Streetwise. Next day he reported low coolant message. He had turned heater from 'auto' to 'off'. I topped up coolant, set heater to auto, LO-LO and again coolant dripped steadily out. I couId not see source of leak, but from below it drips down RHS of gearbox and I can glimpse the HBV thereabouts.

It couldn't be anything else, could it?

I bought 2 valves while I was in Bristol, so I have a spare, presumably from the same batch. I shall fit it unless advised otherwise.

[TheBoy]

Plenty of other things - you need to do a visual on it I'm afraid.

Easier with scuttle removed.

[Kevin Wood]

It's possible it could be from a split hose down there, from the O ring that seals the transfer pipe into the back of the block or the coolant bridge / oil cooler plate.

None of these will be dependant on the heater controls, however, so it could well be that you got a duff HBV.

[terry paget]

Thanks for quick response.
I ran the hot engine for 15 minutes, heater on AUTO and HI-HI and had no leaks. I then set heater to LO-LO and a steady drip followed. I suppose I could repeat the exercise with scuttle removed and HBV raised.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Remember, if its a genuine part bought from a dealer then they will replace it, including the labour costs, under warranty.

[terry paget]

Remember, if its a genuine part bought from a dealer then they will replace it, including the labour costs, under warranty.

Is that right? I'll let you know how I get on.
 Last time I returned a faulty part to a main dealer it was to Bellinger Grove, near Wantage. I had been buying parts for Senators and Omegas there for ten years, all the staff knew me. I had bought a crank sensor for a 2.5, and after 100 miles it failed, so I refitted an old aftermarket sensor. I rang them, warned them I was coming in for a replacement. I was told they would have to refit the faulty sensor to my car to prove it was faulty. I said it would take too long, why should I invent a failure. I said if they did not replace it without fuss I would sue them in the small claims court for sale of faulty goods. They replaced it with bad grace.

I removed the scuttle and wiper drive assembly again, and raised the HBV. It showed a satisfying  wet line down one side where it had been leaking. I replaced it with the second new HBV, then topped up the header tank and ran the engine until warm, with heater set to LO-LO, then HI-HI. No drips appeared. I then replaced wiper drive and scuttle. I hope this HBV is a good'un.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Remember, if its a genuine part bought from a dealer then they will replace it, including the labour costs, under warranty.

Is that right? I'll let you know how I get on.

Yes, the one advantage of a Vx part that fails under warranty is that they cover the cost of the labour to

[TheBoy]

Bellinger Grove

Known by everyone as Bellenders.

But they do have a nice VXR8 demonstrator...

[neil74]

My car passed through bellingers some time ago and still has the dealer sticker on the tailgate.