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[andyc321]

Hi All again,

i have searched all over and cant find my coolant leak, hbv seems ok and all visible pipes, after reading a lot on hear about coolant leaks it looks to me like it could be something to do with the coolant bridge? however dont know anything about the coolant bridge! i will obvoiusly do a pressure test to locate the leak but was after some more detail i.e what parts will i need to put everything back together, gaskets etc....... any help would be greatly appreciated

[2woody]

you'll need some seals for the banjo bolts that hold the bridge in. Copper washers or "dowty" seals according to the age of the car.

I've got a bag of Dowtys if you need them.

[andyc321]

thanks 2woody, sounds complicated i 'dowty' if i can do the job but got to be worth a try
you have obviously done the job before, is it time consuming? just bought a bible for her so hopefully all will be revealed in there. if i need the dowtys whatever they are i will let you know. many many thanks for the offer i will keep you posted 

[2woody]

an experienced Omega-fettler could probably do it in a couple of hours.

[andyc321]

no need for a pressure test! after work lastnight i was going to refill the coolant and quickly limp the car home (5 miles) so waited for the traffic to die down poured the coolant in and as fast as i could pour it in the header tank it was pouring out the back of the engine  i can not see where it is leaking from, is it a scuttle off, plennum off etc... in order to see where it may be coming from or with the coolant coming out so fast does that eliminate any other problems??? anyone have any ideas please

[andyc]

Sounds like the problem i had and it turned out to be the head gasket on the left bang
Andy

[2woody]

coolant bridge, HBV or coolant transfer pype "O"-ring

[andyc321]

  head gasket on the left bank doesnt sound good!
is the coolant transfer pipe the one that runs from front of plenum across nearside spark plugs and into the back of the block? if so just been having a lot of trouble with that pipe, it had a pinhole in it and as there was no chance of me changing it once i felt where it goes to on the back of the block i patched it with a puncture repair kit and taped all around the pipe. maybe i have disturbed it whilst doing the work and changing the HT leads??? dont know which way to turn 

[Kevin Wood]

head gasket on the left bank doesnt sound good!

We've seen quite a few cars around the 98 model year do this. Eliminate the easy things first, though.

is the coolant transfer pipe the one that runs from front of plenum across nearside spark plugs and into the back of the block?

No, it's a metal pipe that runs from the bottom radiator hose round the offside side of the engine into the back of the block. There is an O ring sealing the flange where it bolts to the block. Not easy to get to, but it needs the scuttle and wiper mechanism taking out, along with the coolant and breather hoses around the back of the block so you can see what's going on anyway, IMHO.

if so just been having a lot of trouble with that pipe, it had a pinhole in it and as there was no chance of me changing it once i felt where it goes to on the back of the block i patched it with a puncture repair kit and taped all around the pipe. maybe i have disturbed it whilst doing the work and changing the HT leads??? dont know which way to turn 

I would replace that while you're at it. You're going to have to soa  bit of stripping down to find the leak anyway, by the sound of it, so get one form someone who's breaking a car and eliminate it.

Kevin

[andyc321]

thanks everyone, looks like ive got some stripping down and a bit of work to do, will post again when i know a bit more of whats happening to her. 

[feeutfo]

Shout if you needs a hand. Check HBV first, most common by far.

[andyc321]

thanks chrisgixer, hbv looks ok i cant see or feel any water from it however ive just realised we have a wireless inspection camera with light on a snake arm at work so hopefully going to get that down in between the block and the bulkhead later, see whats occuring? will keep it posted

[Marks DTM Calib]

you'll need some seals for the banjo bolts that hold the bridge in. Copper washers or "dowty" seals according to the age of the car.

I've got a bag of Dowtys if you need them.

For info, they were all changed to the Dowty washers due to leaks with the copper items over time.

I know of a few who fitted rubber O rings ad then got intermiitent operation of the temp sensor! (not surprising)

Hence the dowtys

[Teebee]

Damn i've just had the same thing happen today on my 99 Elite, really dont need the agro of a head gasket change 

And coincidentally it's a mirror of the problem that killed my FL estate, seems i'm doomed.......