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[v6coop]

Newbie to this forum. Hope someone here can help. Found a couple of threads with similar issues but no conclusions so thought I would start again. Slow loss of coolant (several weeks to empty header tank) with drip coming off the bottom of the autobox bellhousing. Already checked HBV, coolant bridge, oil cooler cover, and thermostat all of which look to be OK. Last thought is where the stainless steel coolant transfer pipe enters the oil cooler chamber at the back of the engine. Anyone else had this problem? I understand there is an O ring seal on the pipe. Advice on best way to check and replace if necessary would be appreciated.

Jon

[Dazzler]

Welcome to the forum

Yes the transfer pipe has a o-ring which can become hard and leak
The only real way to check it is to remove the inlet manifold system and look at it, also at the same time you can check the thermostate, coolant bridge and oil cooler properly.
Your positive its not the HBV then??? have you felt all around it for leaks??

[v6coop]

Thanks Dazzler.

Just been and checked it again. Completely dry, I replaced it for the second time in April 2007. There is a small puddle under the car as we speak so not from HBV. How easy is it to remove the transfer pipe with the plenum chamber and induction gubbins removed? Had it all off at the weekend to check the other parts mentioned but did not think about the transfer pipe until I had put it back together and did some more searching in other posts. Expected the coolant bridge to be the problem.

Jon

[The Barge Captain]

Transfer pipe is a real nightmare to do, although some claim it can be done from under the car just by the sense of touch. From the top, you will need to remove intake plenum, injector  assembly and coolant bridge  ( not forgetting the scuttle and wipers first) and gently nudge the oil cooler pipe out of the way.

Have you considered replacing the exhaust manifold gasket whilst you are this far?  Another 1/2 hour and peace of mind for years to come.

[v6coop]

Ahoy there Captain!

Friendly place this two responses in less than an hour is great. Thanks.

By 'nudge out of the way' I take it you mean bend? So no need to free up all the way round to the front and remove or is your reference to the exhaust manifold gasket implying otherwise? I suspect the gasket does need doing (drivers side) as I do have metalic tapping on cold start which goes after a few minutes. Slightly concerned that I will have broken stud(s) to contend with though. Is it really only half an hour more? Peace of mind in what respect, what is the worse that could happen if I don't?

[humbucker]

im reading this thread with interest as i have a similar problem... once the plenum, injectors, manifold and coolant bridge are off is it easy enough to get to the transfer pipe? anyone got any pics?

[duggs]

Been here recently ALL sorted now but at high cost.

In my case the leak was from a tiny hose, RIGHT at the back and down quite a way. My mechanic took an age to find it and repair it because it was SO hard to get at...had to replace the pipe by touch mostly.

DON'T let it go ANY further. The £1.50 hose cost me over £200 in the end because the leak killed my Dis pack. If your car starts "mis firing" its a good sign that the dis pack is damp/wet. UNLIKE me, its at that point that you shouldn't drive her until the leak is sorted....or expect a large bill.

[v6coop]

Thanks Duggs.

I'm trying to fix it for just the reason you describe. Just need to find someone who has actually done this with engine in situ to give me some tips and I will have a go myself. Would particularly like to know if the transfer pipe needs to be completely removed or if it can be done by just unbolting it.

[duggs]

In fairness, I don't know if it was the so called "transfer pipe".
From mechanics desription he just said it was "way down out of sight", about 4-6 inches further down from the HBV (which he replaced also) and that it was held into position via the circlar clips. "A bugger to get off and an ABSOLUTE bugger to put back on"   Quote:

[Elite Pete]

I did my exhaust manifold gasket at the Shifnall cambelt Do which meant I had to remove the transfer pipe. One you have removed the Plenum, inlet manifold, coolant bridge wiper and skuttle you will be able to get at the two bolts holding the coolant transfer pipe to the block but there is another bolt above the exhaust manifold which also holds the transfer pipe. A word of warning, when refitting the transfer pipe, put something on the O ring to keep it in place on the transfer pipe, I used camcover gasket sealant the second time, the first time I found the O ring on top of the bell housing after reassembling and found Niagra Falls coming from the back of the engine

Good luck

[humbucker]

did any of you have to have the car on ramps / four post hoist to do this or could it be done 'on the driveway'? just wondering how much access required from under the car...

[Elite Pete]

did any of you have to have the car on ramps / four post hoist to do this or could it be done 'on the driveway'? just wondering how much access required from under the car...

I had mine up on axle stands, but I was doing the exhaust manifold gasket. To do the coolant transfer pipe, the car would be better on the ground.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I did my exhaust manifold gasket at the Shifnall cambelt Do which meant I had to remove the transfer pipe. One you have removed the Plenum, inlet manifold, coolant bridge wiper and skuttle you will be able to get at the two bolts holding the coolant transfer pipe to the block but there is another bolt above the exhaust manifold which also holds the transfer pipe. A word of warning, when refitting the transfer pipe, put something on the O ring to keep it in place on the transfer pipe, I used camcover gasket sealant the second time, the first time I found the O ring on top of the bell housing after reassembling and found Niagra Falls coming from the back of the engine

Good luck

Think we stripped and re-built it within 1.5hours when it leaked the first time.

All done WITHOUT ramps.

You only need to get underneath if your also doing the manifold gasket.

And as for breaking studs......very rare on the V6, particularly after 1996 production

[bappy]

Interesting topic... I too have a similar problem.
I had a coolant leak, was pouring tons of water. I replaced the HBV with one off ebay - cost me £13.99 but still have a much slower leak. After a 20 mile trip if I immediately pop the bonnet I see a bunch of steam floating around behind the plenum.

There is a slight chance that I punctured the hose on the offside of the HBV during fiting (I'm a monkey when it comes to spanners and engines and stuff like that lol) but I still have not had a chance to investigate further.

I am now concerned about this 'transfer pipe' as a possible cause of the issue as my car is occasionally starting up lumpy every now and then (sorts it self out after 10-20 seconds) and makes me wonder if my dispack is getting soggy.

The guide for the HBV replacement was really useful, is there a guide for the transfer pipe? or any of the other common causes of coolant leak?

Thanks,
Ben

[v6coop]

OK sounds like I need to take the pipe off completely, found the post about exhaust manifold gasket replacement so feel I know what to do to get the transfer pipe off. Is there anything else it could be. If the headgasket had gone is leaking coolant a possible consequence? Finally, Marks DTM Calib, should I do the manifold gasket at the same time. Bearing in mind it has probably been blowing for 5 years what might be the result of leaving it be, out of interest?