Coolant Leaks and wet exhaust

**PaulP38a** · 9th August 2009, 11:47 PM

Having spent a lot of time under the car this weekend and with the engine running, I noticed a couple of disturbing things.

There is a significant coolant leak at the rear of the engine, probably in the valley area. See pic below

You can see the mess around the starter motor. I know it's been there for a while and I'm filling the coolant resevoir about once a week - haven't measured the amount, but the resevoir is close to empty when I fill it. I put the red coolant in today, and within about 30mins of the engine running, drops of red coolant appeared down here.

Engine oil seems ok - no obvious signs of water, and no obvious signs of oil in the coolant. Engine temp pretty well stays at half way all the time.

Now the next worry - a bit of moisture in the exhaust is no biggie as the engine warms up, especially in Canberra where it drops to sub-zero overnight and doesn't get much above 10degC during the day at the moment. However, I had the engine running for extended periods today while fiddling with the EAS and there was a near constant stream of water droplets from the exhaust.

...and a close-up

Notice all the soot inside the pipe? It wipes off quite easily and has no offensive smell -just an oily burnt smell that I guess is normal?

Are these two problems/concerns related? Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers, Paul.

**Hoges** · 10th August 2009, 12:03 PM

combustion products are CO2 and water... with the engine just idling, it takes a long while for the downstream sections of the exhaust system to heat sufficiently to maintain water in the vapour state...so it condenses at the tip... especially on a cold Canberra day! It happens here in Bris even on our cold days of 17 degC

...

Re. the coolant, sounds like a valley gasket leak or it may be a weeping welch plug. Shouldn't be too difficult to take off the covers and torque up the inlet manifold bolts. If that doesn't work, replace the gaskets! You may need a mirror to examine the welch plugs...

**PaulP38a** · 10th August 2009, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Hoges

combustion products are CO2 and water... with the engine just idling, it takes a long while for the downstream sections of the exhaust system to heat sufficiently to maintain water in the vapour state...so it condenses at the tip... especially on a cold Canberra day!

Thanks Hoges - that makes sense. Also goes a way to explain why it isn't so obvious on our smaller cars with shorter exhausts.

Originally Posted by Hoges

It happens here in Bris even on our cold days of 17 degC

...

oh for a 17 degC day in Winter again! Don't think I've seen one of those since we moved here from Sydney 6 years ago. Occassionally we get to double digits during the day and semi-regularly to 0 or less at night in Winter

Originally Posted by Hoges

Re. the coolant, sounds like a valley gasket leak or it may be a weeping welch plug. Shouldn't be too difficult to take off the covers and torque up the inlet manifold bolts. If that doesn't work, replace the gaskets! You may need a mirror to examine the welch plugs...

I hope so. This is my 4th Rangie and 5th Rover V8 if i count the old Rover SD1 I had years ago. Each one I've had to get the head gaskets done at least once. I'm hoping this one will be the exception to the trend.

I'll head off to the auto shop to get a torque wrench and one of those bendy mirror things, and have a look-see on the weekend.

Cheers, Paul.

mike 90 RR · 11th August 2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

I hope so. This is my 4th Rangie and 5th Rover V8 if i count the old Rover SD1 I had years ago. Each one I've had to get the head gaskets done at least once. I'm hoping this one will be the exception to the trend.

Naaa ... I think your safe ...

BUT get rid of that leak NOW / ASAP .... I wouldn't drive it till it's done, You don't want to get the motor hot AT ALL // Not even once

Mike

**PaulP38a** · 11th August 2009, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by mike 90 RR

I wouldn't drive it till it's done, You don't want to get the motor hot AT ALL // Not even once

Hi Mike - you are correct of course, and it is sound advice. I'll take it under advisement for this week though.

I'm only driving short distances for the rest of this week... it's wet and cold down here, and the ragtop Suzuki is the other transport option... I'll take my chances in the tall, dry, warm, comfortable Rangie thanks

I'll check the coolant each day to make sure it's not dropping too much, and upset the missus by spending another weekend in, around and under the car.

Cheers, Paul.

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