Ambriel · Oct 1, 2007

I've only had my Hippo for a few weeks and, as with most 2nd hand cars, I'm finding a few things puzzling.

Now, I was taking one of the headlamps off earlier (bottob screw broken off in prang the other day) and noticed that the two pipes that are supposed to feed the IRD with coolant don't have any hoses attached.

Nosing a bit further I find the hoses just below the metal pipes they're supposed to be attached to, plugged with screws.

Now I know this engine had a lot of top-end work done a little while ago (it's a 1.8 natch), and wondered if there was any good reason why these pipes were left off or whether it was just that the mechanic forgot about them when he put the engine back in?

Any ideas?

The Mad Hat Man · Oct 1, 2007

Sounds like yu are in fur a lively ownership.

Ambriel · Oct 1, 2007

Heheh, looks that way, yes. Ah well, it wouldn't be a Landrover otherwise.

I'm inclined towards the forgetful mechanic scenario on this.

Successfully fixed the broken headlamp with some Araldite anyhow.

sparkyjohn5 · Oct 1, 2007

How many miles has it done since you had it and what happens when you connect them,are there any leaks. I assume water leak would get into Bell housing?

Ambriel · Oct 1, 2007

sparkyjohn5 said:
How many miles has it done since you had it and what happens when you connect them,are there any leaks. I assume water leak would get into Bell housing?

Less than 1000. I don't drive a lot of miles in a week. I'll check it for leaks some other way before re-connecting the pipes. Maybe plug one and put an inflated balloon over the other. See if it stays up.

Northern Irelander · Oct 2, 2007

Ambriel said:
I've only had my Hippo for a few weeks and, as with most 2nd hand cars, I'm finding a few things puzzling.

Now, I was taking one of the headlamps off earlier (bottob screw broken off in prang the other day) and noticed that the two pipes that are supposed to feed the IRD with coolant don't have any hoses attached.

Nosing a bit further I find the hoses just below the metal pipes they're supposed to be attached to, plugged with screws.

Now I know this engine had a lot of top-end work done a little while ago (it's a 1.8 natch), and wondered if there was any good reason why these pipes were left off or whether it was just that the mechanic forgot about them when he put the engine back in?

Any ideas?

Sounds like some bandit did a repair or mod on the IRD cooler.

I dont think its necessary for the FL to have an oil cooler at the IRD, unless heavy towing etc, automatics suffer from IRD overheating we know of on here. Other K-series cars (160bhp) have an oil cooler on the Diff as standard.
have you any pics and can it be re-connected?

How did they seal the hoses? clamped were they?

The FL is about the only car that has the engine completely cocoon-ed due to the engine tray. For that reason you are best to try and re-connect them. One of the IRD cooler pipes is larger than the other so it should be obvious which is which.

A word of caution....... it may have been possible that the IRD cooler was leaking, hence the botch job.

See pic below....I have slight leak from that section, minimal loss. I havent removed the cooler and not sure if it can be done without removing IRD. Its possibly the only part on the hippo I havent removed yet lol

Ambriel · Oct 2, 2007

Northern Irelander said:
have you any pics and can it be re-connected?

How did they seal the hoses? clamped were they?

It'd be the work of a few minutes to reconnect them. No problem.

They've been plugged by putting a screwdown the bore and tightening the hose up around it with the clips - just as you'd do if you were going to be doing some work on it and didn't want to loose all the coolant.

Northern Irelander · Oct 2, 2007

Ambriel said:
It'd be the work of a few minutes to reconnect them. No problem.

They've been plugged by putting a screwdown the bore and tightening the hose up around it with the clips - just as you'd do if you were going to be doing some work on it and didn't want to loose all the coolant.

No wont take you long, only you'll have to go through the bleed procedure for the system.

Bleed valve one (8mm) on coolant elbow, under air filter housing.
Bleed valve two (hand tighten or flat edge screwdriver) on heater matrix hose

If you have an airline or suitably sized bicycle pump, give the IRD cooler a blast of air just in case any gunk hiding in there. Careful the outlet pipes on the IRD bend easily

Ambriel · Oct 3, 2007

Thanks, I'll remember that for when I have a go at it later this week.

Antonio · Nov 12, 2007

Hi there
Did you get it sorted? Ive found a coolent leak on the bend on the metal (inlet? the one with the smaller dia flexi pipe atatched) Ive had to disconect both flexi pipes and join them together as a bodge by-passing the unit.Should get me to the airport and back! Anyone know if these, very soft, metal pipes detatch from the unit,or can I cut it nearer the unit and replace the flexi pipe with a longer one??? Be glad to get the Lightweight out here(Andalucia) least I can get to things and leave the fl on the campo as a realy cool dog kennel.

Northern Irelander · Nov 12, 2007

Antonio said:
Hi there
Did you get it sorted? Ive found a coolent leak on the bend on the metal (inlet? the one with the smaller dia flexi pipe atatched) Ive had to disconect both flexi pipes and join them together as a bodge by-passing the unit.Should get me to the airport and back! Anyone know if these, very soft, metal pipes detatch from the unit,or can I cut it nearer the unit and replace the flexi pipe with a longer one??? Be glad to get the Lightweight out here(Andalucia) least I can get to things and leave the fl on the campo as a realy cool dog kennel.

Just seal up the ends and drive slowly until your ready to fix

Ambriel · Nov 12, 2007

No I haven't reconnected them yet. I had a chat with our village mechanic and he, too, wondered whether it was because of a leak on the cooler. He also questioned whether it was even necessary to cool the IRD unless you're storming up and down the motorway every day.

As it is I'm going to leave it alone for the moment. I've bought the newer patter of radiator hose with the remote thermostat and am going to fit that first, and see what effect it has on engine temperature.

Antonio · Nov 13, 2007

Thanks for the reply
Feel the same. Will leave as is for the moment.Ive blocked the input and output metal pipes with tape and by-passed the unit.Not the easiest bit to get to is it!Can only think of cutting the metal pipe after the leak and extending the flexi-pipe as the unit is fine.Back in England for a week, so will have another think when I get back(Andalucia)At least its better working on it out here,fingers don't go white and numb and I can always revert to a cool beer and think a Mule maybe less trouble!

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