Coolant in my valley!

[pwd95]

Not where I live! I noticed the coolant had dropped a little last night, topped it up. In the day light I can see it settling on top of the valley gasket at the back of the engine and a little at the front.

More likely to be a hose? Or would the inlet manifold leak out on top like that?

[GreenV8S]

I would suspect a leak in the heater supply/return hose, or the bypass, or the stat housing. Just barely possible it's a leak in the valley gasket but much less likely I would have though. Far more likely that one of the hoses has perished.

[wedg1e]

Bizarrely, I get this as well, but only when the car is stood for some time. It doesn't leak when hot.
As the engine leans back slightly, it could be something around the front of the engine (water pump bypass hose, coolant pipe into bottom of inlet manifold, mating face of inlet gasket etc. etc.).
Needless to say, a difficult area to inspect, even with torch and mirror.

[DevonIain]

Another amazing TVR quirk

Mine has exactly the same symptoms.

I can drive it for 6-8 months of the year none stop and it won't lose any water. Leave it standing for 6-8 weeks and it's bone dry.

Wish I could say the same for my oil though. I'm amazed that my driveway manages to soak so much up

[Father Ted]

GreenV8S said:

I would suspect a leak in the heater supply/return hose, or the bypass, or the stat housing. Just barely possible it's a leak in the valley gasket but much less likely I would have though. Far more likely that one of the hoses has perished.

Easy enough to check ....get a decent torch and look both aft and forward in the valley whilst engine is running......i found a split in my water pump inlet pipe .........

[pwd95]

Had a quick look last night, tightened as many jubilee clips as I could see but after arriving at work this morning it's the same. It does look like a leak from one of them. Just a matter of finding it.
It's like Jubilee clip city under there!! Thanks guys.

>> Edited by pwd95 on Tuesday 11th January 08:50

[mikeb]

You can never have too many jubilee clips

MikeB

[wedg1e]

Tightening Jubilee clips can make matters worse, if the hose has perished and the clip is digging into it!
If the worst comes to the worst, pull off the plenum and inlet manifold, fit a new inlet manifold gaslet (composite type recommended), and new hoses to the rear of the water pump. These few bits are only a few quid from the likes of Rimmer Bros. in Lincoln, you'll also get a glimpse of the inside of the block and can check the cam lobes etc.

If it doesn't look like this, there's something wrong with it :-

[pwd95]

It looks like its coming from the large pipe that goes across the front of the engine, just below the extra cap. Are these made to fit..... Just seen the ACT ad on top of the page!
It does seem to be worst after tightening.
P.S Nice shiny engine

[460RedWedge]

It could be the inlet manifold gasket; I had to replace mine, which is circa 8K miles on a brand new 4.6.

Otherwise, check all the hoses, leaking coolant can find it`s way from anywhere to anywhere with very little encouragement!

[pwd95]

I put a new junilee clip on that main top hose where it joins at the front of the inlet manifold. Hey presto dry as a bone!

[Nacnud]

Had water in my valley as well. It got worse while I was at Le Mans 2 years ago so, I had a hunt around lifting hoses up, etc. Small click and the plastic T-piece in front of the air inlet snapped. I was at Le Mans - Ouch!!!!

Jury rigged jubilee clips and cable ties enough to pull the broken parts together well enough to get me home. I was very lucky.

[mikeb]

pwd95 said:

I put a new junilee clip on that main top hose where it joins at the front of the inlet manifold. Hey presto dry as a bone!

Wyn,

You have taken your first step into a larger universe my padawan learner!

MikeB