Thread: Timing cover coolant leak

Try tightening the bolts just a little bit at a time. The big bolts go right through to the block so can be relatively tight.
Usually the water is coming out of the water pump gasket, or the gasket between the timing case and the motor. It runs from inside the wet areas across to the bolt and down the bolt.

Regards Philip A

Whereas I would normally agree with PhillipA on Rover V8 engine subjects, I would say DO NOT tighten the bolts on a (MA) 1994 onwards serpentine belt V8 engine as the gasket material used from the factory is VERY brittle, which causes the problem in the first place. Tightening will make it worse.

Be prepared to remove the cover and replace the gasket. It is easy in a serpentine belt engine, compared to the earlier versions with the 4 V belts. Unscrew and remove the studs from the base of the cover where they go through the sump as it will be easier or a sump removal is on the cards.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

Whereas I would normally agree with PhillipA on Rover V8 engine subjects, I would say DO NOT tighten the bolts on a (MA) 1994 onwards serpentine belt V8 engine as the gasket material used from the factory is VERY brittle, which causes the problem in the first place. Tightening will make it worse.

Be prepared to remove the cover and replace the gasket. It is easy in a serpentine belt engine, compared to the earlier versions with the 4 V belts. Unscrew and remove the studs from the base of the cover where they go through the sump as it will be easier or a sump removal is on the cards.

JC

JC, are you saying this repair can be carried out without removing the sump.
Would tightening the bolts as Phillip suggested only exacerbate the leak, also what long term issues would arise if this problem wasn't fixed promptly.

Sparky

Originally Posted by sparky34

JC, are you saying this repair can be carried out without removing the sump.
Would tightening the bolts as Phillip suggested only exacerbate the leak, also what long term issues would arise if this problem wasn't fixed promptly.

Sparky

If you remove one of the sump to timing cover nuts and screw it onto another stud and nip the nuts tight against each other then unscrew the stud out from the timing cover ,do this for the others,. Then you will be able to slide the cover towards you to remove. When you refit put a dob of RTV onto the exposed sump face.
You will have to remove the harmonic balancer so suggest you get a new crankshaft seal for timing cover

Originally Posted by It'sNotWorthComplaining!

If you remove one of the sump to timing cover nuts and screw it onto another stud and nip the nuts tight against each other then unscrew the stud out from the timing cover ,do this for the others,. Then you will be able to slide the cover towards you to remove. When you refit put a dob of RTV onto the exposed sump face.
You will have to remove the harmonic balancer so suggest you get a new crankshaft seal for timing cover

Exactly, as above

JC