Water leak from rhs of engine

Post by **scooterdoc** » 02 Jun 2006, 17:21

Oh no, I thought, the dreaded head bolts, but the water doesn't seem to be coming from the jacket seal, but seems to emerge under the rhs of the inlet manifold. I've checked the surrounding pipes but can't find a leak, but there's water sat on top of 1 and 2 cylinders, not a lot, and I can't see any additions by running it, but it is there and it does drip.

Any ideas?

Post by **scooterdoc** » 02 Jun 2006, 17:45

It seems to be coming from underside of inlet manifold, there's a small section that sits down on the underside like a spigot and it drips from there, now baffled

Post by **smavan** » 02 Jun 2006, 19:24

could be one of the core plugs leaking, there are three of them under there. had the same trouble with mine when i first bought it, have a feel under there you should feel where they are. if it is then its manifold off and replace all three(garage did mine)good luck...

Post by **scooterdoc** » 02 Jun 2006, 19:53

That sounds probable, oh well, it'll have to drip for a couple of weeks, just hope it doesn't pop

Post by **scooterdoc** » 04 Jun 2006, 13:05

Well, looks like it's definitely core plugs?

Hints and tips please

Would it be ok to leave for a couple of weeks? Got a couple of events to attend

Is it much of a job? How long should it take

Would I need any parts other than manifold gaskets and core plugs?

Sorry to be dim, but I've never worked on one of these before

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 04 Jun 2006, 19:58

Well, looks like it's definitely core plugs whats a core plug? is that som deisel thing?

Post by **scooterdoc** » 04 Jun 2006, 20:06

I'm just aking advice of those in the know

1.9 dg petrol. water leaking from underneath inlet manifold, just a drip, checked pipes, checked unions, no seepage from head seal

Post by **phredd** » 04 Jun 2006, 20:29

Had the same problem.

It was a rusted engine core plug. Replaced with new and now coolant stays where it should.

Phredd

Post by **scooterdoc** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:15

So how easy was it to do? what did you have to do? Please enlighten me, being totally skint and newly self employed I have little or no money to use, so will probably have to do it myself

Post by **Sir Chad** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:28

I recently sorted this for Skell,
it's a piece of cake to replace a core plug but we did it with the inlet manifold off the vehicle. To remove the old core plugs get a punch and tap one side into the hole, the other side will pop up and you can then lever it out. Inserting the new one is just a case of finding a suitable sized socket to use as a drift and pressing or hammering it in. If it is the inlet manifold that's going you should replace all three whilst you are at it and give it a good shake to empty it of chunks of rust from the old core plug.
Your local engine rebuilder should be able to get you the correct size core plugs. I think they're 24mm but please measure to make sure, I've got goldfish memory

Chad

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 05 Jun 2006, 19:39

is someone going to enlighten me?

Post by **smavan** » 05 Jun 2006, 20:01

ok this is very basic but, when a component is cast there are holes left in it and these holes need filling so metal cups are used (core plugs) they have other names as well i thing but that is what i know them as.they are made of mild steel and end up rusting through,first time i came across them was as a 13 yo helping my dad on his viva! when i first bought my van i had a leak and thought the head seal was leaking!!! turned out to be said plug and after going to my local vw garage (where the mechanic scared me with stories of if the alloy had corroded around where the plug was it would cost me £800 for a new manifold) i went to my usual garage and they replaced all 3 for £7 plus £60 labour. there you go i was going to keep it short but i kinda ran away with it!!!!!!