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[LovelyBoy]

Hi All,

I have just registered having used this site as a very valuable resource in the past.  What a great community there is out there for Omegas. The car is a '99 3.0 Elite estate.  I've just had the oil cooler replaced by a local garage along with the dreaded blocked breathers - leaking rocker covers burning oil syndrome.

I have a strange coolant loss problem which only manifests its self when the heater is set above the Lo position. I get fairly rapid coolant loss from the rear drivers side of the engine.  Would this indicate a faulty HBV.  It would seem to be something related to the return pipe from the heater matrix.  When I top up the header tank with the engine cold and ignition off I also get a small leak. As soon as the engine is started the leak stops.  If I turn on the heater at all - water drip,drip,drip from bottom of bell housing.

I would appreciate any help in where to look first.

[Markjay]

Welcome....


Yes, the HBV is the likely suspect. Of course any rubber hose can leak, but drip-drip-drip from back of engine on driver's side will be HBV 9 out of 10...

[LovelyBoy]

Thanks for the advice Mark.  I'll whip the scuttle off tomorrow and take a look.  I guess a genuine VX unit is the best way forward.  Having read some of the other posts for HBV there would seem to be a low life expectancy for a pattern/factor part. If this is the fault, is there anything else I would need other than fresh antifreeze?

[hotel21]

Not really.  Its straightforward enough, just a bit fiddly.....

[LovelyBoy]

Thank you both for your advice.

To get to the valve do I need to remove the Plenum or is it possible to do the job by just removing the scuttle panel?

[Markjay]

Thank you both for your advice.

To get to the valve do I need to remove the Plenum or is it possible to do the job by just removing the scuttle panel?

Possible without removing the Plenum, though much easier with the plenum removed.

[TheBoy]

Buy some plasters for your knuckles as well  

[LovelyBoy]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I managed to get the faulty HBV off by just removing the scuttle panels.  WHAT A JOB - but it was possible.  I ended up purchasing a genuine unit from Lathams Vauxhall in Newton Abbot for £28.  After a couple of flushes and some anti freeze it was job done.

[TheBoy]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I managed to get the faulty HBV off by just removing the scuttle panels.  WHAT A JOB - but it was possible.  I ended up purchasing a genuine unit from Lathams Vauxhall in Newton Abbot for £28.  After a couple of flushes and some anti freeze it was job done.

Job done

[Markjay]

Result