Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[jonny2112]

Got the car MOTd yesterday - happy days!!
Went today and finally got the four wheel alignment done - again happy days!!

On my way home realised the steering wheel was not level when the car was driving straight. When I held the steering wheel level the car veered sharply to the left. Not happy days, but I rang the boss of the place that did it and he told me to bring the car back in the morning - fair enough.

When I went out to the car tonight noticed evidence of a leak. Gutted
There was no pool of fluid so whatever it was had stopped and I couldn't see any evidence of where it had come from. I did notice the coolant was low so I topped it up and immediately there was a drip from underneath. Seems to be running down drivers side of the gearbox? First thought would be the HBV (is there a how2?) but wanted to ask if there is any chance something may have been damaged by the bloke doing the alignment check? Also does the HBV simply 'go' so that the coolant just runs out of it or might there be a split pipe or something? I'll get a look at it in the morning when its up on the ramp.

Any advice etc much appreciated. I'm meant to be going on holiday, in the motor, on Sunday

[Markie]

Drivers side back of engine.....does sound like heater bypass valve area, although it could always be a loose hose somewhere  :-/

HBV is about £25 and well within your capabilities....and do it before it shorts and bu$ers your dispack  

[jonny2112]

Cheers Markie. I'll have a good check in the morning, although I was under the impression that the valve would only leak when the engine was running, so I am hoping for a loose pipe  

Seriously though, it would be good to get it up on the ramps at the alignment place to have a look but I'm a bit wary now about driving the car at all in case I do any damage.

[TheBoy]

Unlikely the alignment guys caused any leak.

Check HBV first and see....

[jonny2112]

Strangely enough, no pool of coolant on the driveway this morning and no apparent loss of coolant from the expansion tank. I've ordered a new HBV from Vx and will get it in the morning and I'll change it anyway. Under the circumstances do you think it would be ok to drive it to the alignment guy to get the steering wheel corrected? Probably about 4 - 5 mile return trip.

[TheBoy]

Strangely enough, no pool of coolant on the driveway this morning and no apparent loss of coolant from the expansion tank. I've ordered a new HBV from Vx and will get it in the morning and I'll change it anyway. Under the circumstances do you think it would be ok to drive it to the alignment guy to get the steering wheel corrected? Probably about 4 - 5 mile return trip.

Do you have a MID, hence coolant level warning? If so, yes, but stop if warning comes on...

If not, keep a real close eye on temp gauge.

[jonny2112]

Strangely enough, no pool of coolant on the driveway this morning and no apparent loss of coolant from the expansion tank. I've ordered a new HBV from Vx and will get it in the morning and I'll change it anyway. Under the circumstances do you think it would be ok to drive it to the alignment guy to get the steering wheel corrected? Probably about 4 - 5 mile return trip.

Do you have a MID, hence coolant level warning? If so, yes, but stop if warning comes on...

If not, keep a real close eye on temp gauge.

Yes I have the warning indicator. Thanks

[jonny2112]

Well got the steering wheel 'straightened' and it seems much better - it would have done my head in!!
When I drove home there was steam coming from under the bonnet when i parked, and I can only assume this is the coolant leaking onto the manifold or exhaust.
In relation to changing the HBV is it necessary to remove both the plenum and the scuttle, or is one or other sufficient?

[cdx25]

Well got the steering wheel 'straightened' and it seems much better - it would have done my head in!!
When I drove home there was steam coming from under the bonnet when i parked, and I can only assume this is the coolant leaking onto the manifold or exhaust.
In relation to changing the HBV is it necessary to remove both the plenum and the scuttle, or is one or other sufficient?

I changed the HBV without removing the plenum, but I did remove the scuttle.  Wipers were an arris to remove but came off in the end.  Small hands needed for the HBV and it is a bt fiddly doing it this way.  Apparently most people use a 'tunnie' but Ive not got one local ;-)

[TheBoy]

The more you remove, the less fiddly it is...

[Timbuk]

The more you remove, the less fiddly it is...

I agree, much easier with plenum out of the way

[Markie]

The more you remove, the less fiddly it is...

Jamie is of course correct but my outlook is do the minimum - less to put back on.....

Scuttle off for me but plenum on  

[TheBoy]

The more you remove, the less fiddly it is...

Jamie is of course correct but my outlook is do the minimum - less to put back on.....

Scuttle off for me but plenum on  

But as the plenum only takes 5 mins to whip off (3 of those mins being the throttle and cruise cables)....

[Markie]

The more you remove, the less fiddly it is...

Jamie is of course correct but my outlook is do the minimum - less to put back on.....

Scuttle off for me but plenum on  

But as the plenum only takes 5 mins to whip off (3 of those mins being the throttle and cruise cables)....

As said - your quite correct - i am just lazy and like to skin my knuckles  

[TheBoy]

The more you remove, the less fiddly it is...

Jamie is of course correct but my outlook is do the minimum - less to put back on.....

Scuttle off for me but plenum on  

But as the plenum only takes 5 mins to whip off (3 of those mins being the throttle and cruise cables)....

As said - your quite correct - i am just lazy and like to skin my knuckles  

I'm sure there is a word for people like you