1.9 mystery coolant leak

[mrscalex]

I've started to turn my attentions to the 1.9 I bought for my other half's son (and he no longer wants). It's in Swansea at the moment and I need to get it back to Swindon for proper attention.

I've driven it once when I bought it and it drove nicely but wasn't warming up properly. Then when I had it running on the drive when I got home it started to overheat and chuck coolant out.

I changed the thermostat and water pump at the weekend. So hopefully that's the warming up issue sorted. Though I did notice it stayed at cold until my ar*e hit the seat to move it and the needle jumped up to the middle. Presumably a faulty gauge or sender unit.

There it sat for a few more minutes until it a) started over-heating and b) started leaking.

I've checked everything you'd normally check. The thermostat and water pump are not leaking. I can't see any leaks from any hoses. No leaks from the cylinder head. Or radiator. And it seems to eb coming from the back of the engine anyway.

After much searching and trying to fit my head in places it wasn't designed for I think I found the source. It's the right hand air inlet for the heater. By the time the engine had been off for 30 minutes it had reduced to a drip but I am 99% certain it's coming from there.

This is the photo I happened to take when I was doing the 2.2 engine swap. It's the channel in the middle of the photo (left hand side from this view).

Presumably this is heater matrix malfunction?

Not a great picture but just about shows the channel and drip.

 

[Ianmc]

Likely not relevant, but I had heck of a job bleeding the system when I changed the thermostat on the 1.9. The air in the system caused coolant to escape. I persevered and it's been fine for the last 3 months or more.

 

[t-tony]

trying to fit my head in places it wasn't designed for

Consider buying one of these Rob very cheap but very useful just for these occasions mate. All you need is the endoscope and an App from the App. Store or the Play Store called CameraFi

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1M-7MM-IP...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Won't break the bank.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

Consider buying one of these Rob very cheap but very useful just for these occasions mate. All you need is the endoscope and an App from the App. Store or the Play Store called CameraFi

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1M-7MM-IP67-Android-Endoscope-Inspection-USB-Borescope-LED-Tube-Camera-Scope/162644916408?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Won't break the bank.

Tony.

I actually bought one a few weeks ago to investigate the misfire for a vacuum leak. But it's in Swindon. I'll bring it back next week.

But I'm pretty certain that's where it's coming from. I don't think it's something running down onto it as there's nothing above it.

 

[NZ00Z3]

It's the channel in the middle of the photo (left hand side from this view).

If you are referring to the two elephant trunk type channels, then you are off track. They have nothing to do with the cooling system. They drain the cavities around the wiper motor and heater fan.

 

[mrscalex]

If you are referring to the two elephant trunk type channels, then you are off track. They have nothing to do with the cooling system. They drain the cavities around the wiper motor and heater fan.

Well that's interesting. The car has been sat for a long period and might have accumulated water in that area that only got released when I moved the car. Which did coincide with the release of water.

And I guess it's possible the overheating was coincidental and might have been air in the system not yet bled after the thermostat/pump change. Or another sign of the faulty gauge/sender.

I'll check in the morning how much if any coolant has gone from the expansion tank. Wasn't cooled down by the time we had to go out and too late when we got back.

Btw we went to see Victoria and Abdul. Good film

 

[t-tony]

I often see these drain tubes blocked on cars in for test. One of the worst was an Audi A4 which had blocked drains and the water level was almost up to the top of the battery ! Must've been holding a couple of gallons of water at least. If you get this on a Corsa it will then leak into the car through the servo mounting leaving wet carpets.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

I'm so glad you posted that @Murray Wall .

I've done some more thinking and reading up. I am certain there was water dripping from the trunk. But it looks like I was barking up the wrong tree thinking it was coolant coming out.

Unfortunately the car only had plain water in the cooling system so there was no smell/colour to confirm. And I didn't put my finger in it believing it be scolding. I just assumed it was coolant.

There is total logic that this was accumulated rain water in the scuttle discharging. Perhaps from the car moving - it is parked at an awkward angle that would give water the chance to accumulate. Perhaps from the left side trunk being blocked and taking the chance to discharge from the right trunk when the car moved.

I shall pull the scuttle off and check for any clogging. As well as put my finger in it if it happens again on the likelihood it will be cold water.

It still leaves me with the issue of the overheating. But this might just be a bust gauge or sender unit.

But it's a big step forward to know it's probably not a coolant leak.

What a laugh thinking it was!

 

[mrscalex]

I often see these drain tubes blocked on cars in for test. One of the worst was an Audi A4 which had blocked drains and the water level was almost up to the top of the battery ! Must've been holding a couple of gallons of water at least. If you get this on a Corsa it will then leak into the car through the servo mounting leaving wet carpets.

Tony.

I would think about 1-2 pints got discharged. Certainly enough the level of coolant should have gone down if that's what it was.

I shall check in the morning before heading back to Swindon. But of course expecting to be okay now.

 

[t-tony]

Hope that is was just drainage Rob. Good luck in sorting the 1.9 mate.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

Phew. Coolant still looking at a very reasonable level, it's gone down a tiny bit but the air will still be finding it's way out. There's no way the small amount it's gone down would account for what got discharged onto the drive though. So it must be drainage. How strange!

I've left several Z3s sitting around for months and not had this happen before. But it was the first one on the drive in Swansea which is on a big slope and the car is parked sideways onto it. So it's not illogical at all I guess.

I just have to sort the gauge sticking on cold then shooting up. Which I suspect is one problem.

And more importantly the overheating. Which might be caused by air still in the system - I hope.

The 1.9 will have to wait for a week and then I'm on a very short timeline to get it back to Swindon before a week Friday when the MOT runs out.

I'm on my way back to Swindon now although the 2.2 broken thermostat bolt might have to wait a few days too as I'm getting ready for one of the Scalextric Swapmeets I organise in Havant (Portsmouth) on Sunday. Come along if anyone is that way!

https://www.facebook.com/HavantScalextric

 

[mrscalex]

Just to confirm the 'leak' and there was a heck of a lot of water, was just rainwater running off as the car was moved from the slope!