Thread: catastrophic coolant 'leak' (more like a pouring out)

Mine is also a 2000, screw in top hose. I cut the section out and giot a piece of s/s ex pipe to fit inside, welded a piece of solid s/s to it and drilled/tapped it to accept a s/s plug. The tee is also being made in s/s and eventually only the bends in the top section will be hose, just joined by s/s as much as possible. Also enable use os std silicon hoses.

Originally Posted by Cannon

I had the exact same splatter pattern when my water pump sprung a leak.

You can see in the second picture that the coolant is at the bottom of the engine. right near the water pump.

Were you meaning to upload some photo's or are you referring to another reply or the second pic I uploaded?


I've uploaded a few more pics, while the radiator fan has splattered coolant everywhere, to me it really does look like the chamber that these hoses go into that has the main leak... or leaking from the clamp. Refer to second pic which leads into the bottom hose. What do others think?

As for the water pump - where is this meant to be *still confused* what am I meant to be looking at? What section is it in the rave cd.... looking and can't find it as yet....

Thanks for your help and replies, all much appreciated :-D



Cheers,
Lp

There is something odd with that hose going into the bottom of the thermostat.

I have attached a version of your 3rd image.

there are 2 hose clamps as far as I can see. The original one is the one I have highlighted with '11'

An extra one has been fitted (highlighted with '1'), but to me it looks like the clamp isn't on the hose, more appears that it has dropped down and is clamping just on the thermostat itself. (Its very difficult to tell in the image)

Could the extra clamp have missed the hose, and the hose has come partly off the thermostat because the original clamp has lost its tension.

The spray pattern looks like it could just be coming out of that hose.

I would have a good look at the way the hose is clamped there. Maybe even remove both clamps, and refit with a new one.

I agree, dont drive the car until this is sorted. Its likely to only be a simple fix, but coukld be very costly if you overheat it.

Good luck.

(Edited to add, the second pic actually shows that the second clamp may be ok - so maybe disregard my suggestion)

I'd have to agree looking at that pic. Even the RH rear hose doesn't look pushed on far enough (gap between hose end and body of t'stat). They should go on all the was. Scrap the cheesy tension clamps (OEM's) and get screw or t bolt clamps.

LP, we're all just having a bit of a guess here, which is good for troubleshooting the problem, but do yourself and us a favour. Pop your bonnet and start the car. Any leaks will become evident very quickly. Once you've found the source then we'll be ableto diagnose with more accuracy.

Originally Posted by Sully

LP, we're all just having a bit of a guess here, which is good for troubleshooting the problem, but do yourself and us a favour. Pop your bonnet and start the car. Any leaks will become evident very quickly. Once you've found the source then we'll be ableto diagnose with more accuracy.

I know and it's really appreciated too :-D...


Have just filled coolant up and started and run for not even 5 mins. After putting my head under the bonnet to inspect and being sprayed in the face with coolant figured it had to be coming from up-top somewhere.... upon closer inspection of the top of the engine/hoses ... noticed a hose leading into the radiator with the same type screw concept as per what others had mentioned (only in a different location on others hoses!).

The photo I have uploaded shows coolant spitting out of it - it wasn't screwed in properly as I gave it a wiggle and it fell out!


Out of curiosity, how long should the neck of that screw be that gets screwed into the hose? I've just looked at it and it looks as though it has broken off and no amount of force is letting it get screwed in!!!

When folk have mentioned that these were notorious to fail... and other than replacing that section of hose without one... can the bleedscrew be siliconed to the thread as such as an interim measure?




As far as that hose goes too... is it possible to replace that section without that screw in the middle? If so, is it something that can be sourced and what's the diameter of the hose?

Does anyone else have this bleedscrew on their top hose.

It's the hose leading into the top side of the radiator.



Cheers,
Lp

Mine is a 2000 V8 and when I bought it also had the top hose with bleed screw as yours.
My screw also failed, and the replacement top hose kit I bought from Rovacraft came as the "updated" version, with 3 new hoses and T piece with bleed screw on the T piece.

You'd do better replacing the lot (top hose assembly), and get rid of the original hose clips too. Get some better hose clamps, they enable the hoses to be better tightened and therfore create a better seal.

I personally dont think that repeated fixes with silicone, cutting and chopping hoses, etc, is the best way. Don't think the top hose kit was a bank breaker, and you'll have the assurance in your mind that it was fixed "properly".

I've just recently had every coolant hose replaced on mine following a near catastrophe myself. I should have the hoses you need in the garage (they are good condition, and only replaced as part of the course). If I do still have them, and if you can cover postage (you can have the pipes for free), I'd be happy to send. But I'll need to check I have them for you first , later today when I get home.

Originally Posted by landyprincess

As far as that hose goes too... is it possible to replace that section without that screw in the middle? If so, is it something that can be sourced and what's the diameter of the hose?

You really need a pipe or T piece with the bleed screw, as it lets you get air out the system, being its heighest point of travel, and where an EngineSaver kit fits for monitoring low levels of coolant.


Cheers,

Best of luck!

Good work LP. The bleed screws can become brittle over time, which I suggest is the case here.
Now that you've found the cause, lock up the car and don't start it again until it's fixed.

You might have trouble finding a new bleed screw on its own as I believe the screw and hoses all come as a replacement unit. This might not be a bad thing though... If you manage to find a second hand one at a wrecker, who knows how long that will last.

Another option is for you to purchase an engine saver as the alarm sensor screws into the hose as a direct replacement for the bleed screw.

**edit** Kieren was posting some similar info a the same time as me!