dampsox · May 31, 2018

Out on a run with a disabled bunch o'pensioners in the back, in the literal middle of nowhere, when I get a total coolant leak. All my breakdowns await a car full of my pensioner pals.

Funny, pootering along at 40mph, we all said, "is that a brass band' coz that's what it sounded like, sort of distant music, then the engine started to strain and I saw steam.

Thankfully, stopped after just 10 seconds or so of the noise. The coolant fan stayed on like nuts for a good minute.

The coolant tank totally drained, underneath its all dripping out.

Anyhoo, after we go home, I chased down the leak, its coming from the top half of the engine, at a hose-to-metal-pipe join under the EGR area (images). Can anyone advise what this bit is, and how I deal with these unusual connectors.

Much obliged as I always am

dampsox · May 31, 2018

I would add, I do have a leaky front diff, and the engine bay waft of heat when I open the bonnet has been a lot hotter than I recall. I don't know if this coolant leak failure might be a factor of the Diff oil leak.

Arctic2 · May 31, 2018

That's a fuel line hose, the clip can be opened with a small screwdriver and refitted squeezing it with a pair of pliers, in the last photo you can see a Y shape connector that is the coolant hose connection sometimes they fail.

dampsox · May 31, 2018

Fuel line? Its fresh water spraying out, on me second photo you can see the spray of water when I touch the hose at the clip.
Just unsure how this clip come off with damaging owt

Edit - hang about, tasted it... aye it diesel. Looks like I have more than one problem. I notice on filling the coolant expansion bottle with clean water, its quickly turning a shade of mucky blue.

Damn..

dampsox · May 31, 2018

Okay, fixed the leaky fuel line with a new clip. Blotted away the leaked fuel, started the engine and I can see a water leak (definitely water) coming from the engine block side right under this formerly leaking fuel line. I can't quite see the source or get my fingers under to feel. Never stripped it down further than this.

Nodge68 · May 31, 2018

dampsox said:
Okay, fixed the leaky fuel line with a new clip. Blotted away the leaked fuel, started the engine and I can see a water leak (definitely water) coming from the engine block side right under this formerly leaking fuel line. I can't quite see the source or get my fingers under to feel. Never stripped it down further than this.

Is it an auto? I can't quite see from the pictures.

GrumpyGel · May 31, 2018

It is funny how 2 problems can occur simultaneously. I was out one day and steam started coming up from the bonnet so pulled over straight away. When I pulled over, the leakage obviously wasn't water, so it must have been smoke not steam...

No tools with me or anything, so with my annual donation to the AA in place, thought it time to use them. When the guy turned up, they didn't even take the cover off to examine what was wrong, just put it on a low loader and took it home. When I looked at it, the fuel leak back pipes had perished and I'm sure the smoke was from the fuel, however this didn't really tie in with the pic and on examining further found the oil filter had worked its way loose and oil had started spewing out.

In 8 years of ownership, the car had been almost boringly reliable and for 2 things to go at the same time was amazing. I recon it knew it was in trouble because of the escaping oil, so threw the leak back pipes to draw my attention to a problem

No lasting damage and a couple of $ for some replacement hose for me, but sounds like you may have more serious problems.

Arctic2 · May 31, 2018

dampsox said:
Okay, fixed the leaky fuel line with a new clip. Blotted away the leaked fuel, started the engine and I can see a water leak (definitely water) coming from the engine block side right under this formerly leaking fuel line. I can't quite see the source or get my fingers under to feel. Never stripped it down further than this.

Great now you have sorted out the fuel line hose clip, remove the manifold and you will soon see the water leak, it will be from the Y section bolted to the engine in the photo above or one of the hoses coming from it.

dampsox · Jun 14, 2018

Just to update.
The coolant pipe under this leaking fuel hose, a 25mm 90 degree bent hose into the oil cooler (I think) was weakened to mushy consistency by the diesel drip, splitting wide open. A length of silicon hose nailed it.

I flushed out the radiator/coolant about 3 times, loads of gunky mess came out. But I am struggling to get the coolant clear after 3 full fills/drain-off with clean water. I drained from the bottom radiator hose. There a sticky gunk that's floating around the fresh pink coolant mix, it seems to like sticking to the expansion bottle. Its unsightly but for the life of me I can't seem to flush this system clean. It seems to be an unlimited supply I think it's oil/diesel-fuel that worked its way in through the split hose before it gave up completely.

dampsox · Jun 14, 2018

Any ideas? Can I somehow 'filter away' this gunk, or do I need to try detergent of some sort?

Arctic2 · Jun 14, 2018

I have heard of orange juice being used to flush out coolant systems 2ltrs, I have not ever use it myself ?

Nodge68 · Jun 14, 2018

dampsox said:
Any ideas? Can I somehow 'filter away' this gunk, or do I need to try detergent of some sort?

Does the oil cooler look new? It sounds like the cooling system could have oil contamination, usually from a failed cooler. I'v given up trying to remove oil contamination from mine. I just clean the tank out every 6 months, as the oil migrates there over time.

teddywood1 · Jun 14, 2018

get a piece of wire and then put some kitchen cloth onto it bend it and you will shift it

Rich in Vancouver · Jun 17, 2018

I use a flexible bottle brush made for cleaning flower vases. It had a ball on the end made of absorbent cloth.
Does a good job on the expansion tank.

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