Monaro VXR - Wet under the battery

[Wyld Stallyn]

Hi Guys,

I'm back (Sorry )

Went for ANOTHER interview yesterday and "Christine" obviously did or did not like her surroundings and decided to leave a small puddle of slightly tacky water on their block paving.

Made a hasty retreat afterwards to inspect further and discovered that the bulkhead under the battery and brake servo was wet but No leaks to be seen and no seepage or gushing fluids to be found.

Drove home and 15 miles later and nothing other than the smell of dried up liquid.

Lights n Gauges all Normal.

Further investigation today and I cannot make her squirt I have found evidence of pink and white chalky deposits on her pipes and joints


Anyone know what this bit nestling below the brake servo is / does..?

It seems to go between the waterpump and the Heat exchanger for the heater - Poss a thermal valve but..?


Cheers

Chewie

[mfp4073]

I will take a guess and say that is the plastic heater valve. It's a pain to get to, but I would check all the coolant pipes for splits ect that might cause a leak.
Assuming I'm correct, follow the coolant pipes up to where they connect to the metal heater pipes in the bulkhead. Some times the pipes can rub through on the rear of the cylinder head causing a leak.
The next thing I would check is this time follow the coolant pipes forward to the front of the car from the heater valve. The bottom coolant pipe runs just above the chassis rail. About half way along you will find a large bolt sicking up from the chassis rail, the coolant pipe can again rub through on the bolt causing a leak.
Don't forget the heater valve itself may be leaking. They can be obtained from Monkfish.

Regards John

[Wyld Stallyn]

Cheers John,

mfp4073 said:

Assuming I'm correct, follow the coolant pipes up to where they connect to the metal heater pipes in the bulkhead. Some times the pipes can rub through on the rear of the cylinder head causing a leak.

Already had the rear pipes let go on me and have been replaced and re-routed as they should have been

mfp4073 said:

I will take a guess and say that is the plastic heater valve. It's a pain to get to, but I would check all the coolant pipes for splits ect that might cause a leak.

The next thing I would check is this time follow the coolant pipes forward to the front of the car from the heater valve. The bottom coolant pipe runs just above the chassis rail. About half way along you will find a large bolt sicking up from the chassis rail, the coolant pipe can again rub through on the bolt causing a leak.
Don't forget the heater valve itself may be leaking. They can be obtained from Monkfish.

Regards John

I'll take a closer look...

Is the heater valve the thing I attempted to take a photo of..?

[mfp4073]

Yes, the photo shows the heater valve. Be careful because its made of plastic and can snap.The coolant pipes are fixed on tight.
When I replaced two of my coolant pipes, I removed the retaining clips and using a craft knife I cut the pipes off as they were sod's to remove without breaking the heater valve.

John

[Wyld Stallyn]

mfp4073 said:

Yes, the photo shows the heater valve. Be careful because its made of plastic and can snap.The coolant pipes are fixed on tight.
When I replaced two of my coolant pipes, I removed the retaining clips and using a craft knife I cut the pipes off as they were sod's to remove without breaking the heater valve.

John

Thanks for the advice

Methinks I'll probably replace the Waterpump to valve pipes as well as the valve just to be sure.

[bigwheel]

mfp4073 said:

I will take a guess and say that is the plastic heater valve. It's a pain to get to, but I would check all the coolant pipes for splits ect that might cause a leak.
Assuming I'm correct, follow the coolant pipes up to where they connect to the metal heater pipes in the bulkhead. Some times the pipes can rub through on the rear of the cylinder head causing a leak.
The next thing I would check is this time follow the coolant pipes forward to the front of the car from the heater valve. The bottom coolant pipe runs just above the chassis rail. About half way along you will find a large bolt sicking up from the chassis rail, the coolant pipe can again rub through on the bolt causing a leak.
Don't forget the heater valve itself may be leaking. They can be obtained from Monkfish.

Regards John

You will, most likely find one of the forward heater hoses will be resting on top of the threaded end of the chassis rail vertical bolt, as mentioned my mfp4073. Just re-arrange things to prevent rubbing the hose through.

[maccavvy]

i changed mine last year. the seam was weeping fluid. the original pipe clips are a pain so replaced for stainless jubilees
I managed to replace without breaking anything..very fiddly.
sorted the pipe that rubs by fitting a pipe of pipe over it . so at the dodgy area its double skinned.
managed to get one from ebay from aus for less than 20quid

[Wyld Stallyn]

Thanks Guys,


I now have puddle and to whoever invented those stupid 'fast release' pipe clips
is there a tool to remove them..?
Give me Jubilee clips everyday

Why bury the part in a dark inconvenient recess when there are so many more readily accessible places to put it..? FFS!

What Coolant do I require and what ratio should it be..?

Can I get away with cutting the rear pipes off and re using them..?

Cheers

Chewie

[JAMESHSV1]

Use the pink ready mixed coolant halfords do it or get some from vauxhall or ucp

[Wyld Stallyn]

JAMESHSV1 said:

Use the pink ready mixed coolant halfords do it or get some from vauxhall or ucp

Cheers James

I have now mangled to get everything off

Tomorrow will be a simple process reversal