1.9 Watercooled petrol coolant leak

Post by **mal0r** » 31 Mar 2008, 08:43

Well, after procrastinating for weeks on end, I finally replaced the expansion tank....

Took it for a drive, lovely. Took it for another drive to try upto 65mph... nope, leaking still, but deffo not the expansion tank.

The leak is still definitely running down the middle, just underneath the timing belt to the right. I still think this might be a water pump, but willing to be corrected if anyone knows of any other pipes that are in that vicinity.

In the case of replacing the water-pump, has anyone had experience of doing this from above the engine bay - or will it have to be done from underneath?

Cheers

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 31 Mar 2008, 17:27

mal0r wrote:The leak is still definitely running down the middle, just underneath the timing belt to the right. I still think this might be a water pump, but willing to be corrected if anyone knows of any other pipes that are in that vicinity.

In the case of replacing the water-pump, has anyone had experience of doing this from above the engine bay - or will it have to be done from underneath?

To the right as you're standing outside the back of your van looking into the engine bay, or lying on your back under the van? Water pump would be to the left when standing by rear bumper looking into the engine bay (on an early DG anyway).

Big Tam replaced our water pump and I passed the spanners and big hammer etc! We were mainly above, but sometimes underneath.

Tony

Post by **clartsonly** » 31 Mar 2008, 17:54

are you sure it is not coming from the carb heater?

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 01 Apr 2008, 18:04

By the way, there's a water pump on ebay at the moment, but I don't know if it's the right one for your engine:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... =p3907.m29

Tony

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 01 Apr 2008, 20:50

That's for a late system 1.9 or 2.1 model with oil cooler spigot (rotate the photo through 90 degrees

).

Ian.

Post by **Laurie** » 02 Apr 2008, 09:28

Please note....The J pipe sold by Just Kampers is a genuine one.

If the leak is to the right of the centre, on and early DG/DF, it won't be the water pump because it is on the left.
There are 2 major suspects, The pipe that goes across from the right hand head to the pump, sealed by an O ring may be perforated, or the pipe that runs under the pulley from the block to the pump, made up of an elbow, a rubber connector and a curved pipe.

To check these.... In the back of the engine, nearest the bell housing is a hole, about 25mm. Mover the crank, and you'll see your flywheel moving. Turn the flywheel until you can see a hole in the flywheel that lines up with the hole in the case and stick something in the hole to lock the flywheel.
Loosen the front pulley nut and gently drift the pulley off. That will expose the pipes and possibly, the leak.

Post by **mal0r** » 02 Apr 2008, 13:17

Thanks all, the water pattern underneath is in the centre, and the water running down appears to just be running along one of the beams just under the timing belt. She's going into the garage tomorrow anyways, I can't get underneath my van!

Has anyone ever tried reversing up inspection ramps settled on a gravel drive?

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 02 Apr 2008, 13:45

The Wasserboxer doesn't have a 'timing' belt .... it does however have an alternator drive belt which also drives the waterpump, and can have a powersteering belt and airconditioning drive belt on the blinger models

Ian.

Post by **mal0r** » 02 Apr 2008, 13:52

Well then, that's the belt I mean. I suppose technically, erm like, it times the waterpump though.