Coolant Leak and header tank repair

[Andy Pandie]

The good lady noticed a puddle under the car today, I traced it down to a leaking pipe this evening (silicone replacements here we come) but also noted the the braided power steering pipe had been rubbing on the header tank. It's not leaking (yet) but I've removed it and wondered whether if it could be repaired/ally filled before I put it back? or, will I need a replacement item? Please see pics below.
Also are there any procedures for refilling the coolant system? I seem to remember the chimaera had to be bled?
Many thanks in advance,





Many thanks,

Andy 'P'

[brogenville]

If it hasn't failed now, I cant see how it "needs" to be repaired. That said, ideally you would run a nice ally weld just to fill in the lost material, for peace of mind if nothing else.

Refilling the coolant on a speed six is fairly straight forward (assuming a tusacan is similar to a tamora). There's a bleed screw on the rad itself, but once the level goes above that, you're relying on the natural circulation of the coolant to purge any air locks. Best to have the nose raised a little if possible to get the tank as high as possible, then run the engine with the cap off to let any bubbles come out, topping up as necessary.

HTH

[Andy Pandie]

Thanks for the reply regarding filling, I'll give it a go once I have the new hoses fitted. I have also just got a mate to run an ally weld down the tank for peace of mind, thought whilst it was out..................

[SP6 Animal]

Also remove one of the heater hoses that will remove most of the trapped air and put your heater on hot.

[nawarne]

Andy,

I've got some 'DEVCON' aliminium epoxy repair paste in the garage. Mate of mine used the same stuff to repair the clutch case on his Suzuki - he'd droped it and the case was pierced. As far as I know the repair is still holding 5 yrs later.

PM me or call.
Nick

[Andy Pandie]

nawarne said:

Andy,

I've got some 'DEVCON' aliminium epoxy repair paste in the garage. Mate of mine used the same stuff to repair the clutch case on his Suzuki - he'd droped it and the case was pierced. As far as I know the repair is still holding 5 yrs later.

PM me or call.
Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks - sounds like good stuff, but hopefully I'm all fixed now as I had a mate run an ally weld down it.

Anyone know what anti-freeze is used? The stuff that came out was clear and the local autofactors only have blue, is there a difference?

Cheers

Andy

Edited by Andy Pandie on Tuesday 22 December 14:49

[Full Throttle]

Coolant should never run clear, sounds like its been loosing water for a while and somebody has been topping it up with only water, not good! Mine's got blue coolant in her. I would flush the whole system to check for no nasty rusty water. Never mix red coolant with blue coolant or you will have big problems. I'd get the ali tank welded up and then file it flat and polish the filing marks out with wet and dry paper with reducing grits then autosol the hole tank to look nice again!

[Andy Pandie]

Tank all welded,



I'll clean it up over the Christmas period and refit once the new silicone hoses pitch up, I'm sure there was some anti-freeze in there, tasted like it anyway I'll give Fernies a bell tomorrow and see what they put in originally.