Thread: 300Tdi coolant leak

Originally Posted by wally

I've just discovered a coolant leak on my 300Tdi. Coolant is appearing on the passenger side of the engine behind the timing belt cover. Does this sound like a 'p' gasket leak?

Very much so.

JC

Originally Posted by wally

I've just discovered a coolant leak on my 300Tdi. Coolant is appearing on the passenger side of the engine behind the timing belt cover. Does this sound like a 'p' gasket leak?

Yep...

Get the bits ordered up & fitted coz when it goes, it goes!!! (There's a modified gasket and a couple of longer bolts required)

FWIW - It is a very easy job and should be done in a couple of hours.

HTH

M

Originally Posted by wally

I've just discovered a coolant leak on my 300Tdi. Coolant is appearing on the passenger side of the engine behind the timing belt cover. Does this sound like a 'p' gasket leak?

As the others have said.....

... and FWIW

depending on the state and age of your water pump bolts (they could be corroded after this leak), one or more may snap when you try to undo them, so be prepared to extract them (not a huge task).

Use a "neverseize" type of copper grease when you reinstall (it will make future replacements simpler)

At the same time I would definitely replace the water pump (not just refit the old one) - and you may as well take the thermostat out and give it all a good flush, and put a new thermostat in. Parts Cost in$n't too bad

And if your temp gauge is showing any overheating indications take the radiator out and have it "rodded" , otherwise if you need to save money you can flush in place.

If you take the radiator out (simple job), you can also flush the intercooler (take care to let it dry out thoroughly in the sun) and you may be surprised with the performance benefit if you do

It might sound like I'm loading you up with suggestions of lots of work but it's all interrelated and if you do it all while you're at the "p" gasket you'll have a reliable cooling system to see you through the next 100000km or more.

Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs (but I've seen the results of partial repairs)

As an afterthought, it may well pay to take the alternator off and clean any cooling residue off it - it can cop a bit from a "p" gasket leak - but it doesn't seem to cause any problems with the alternator - just leaves evaporated gunk all over it.

The Karcraft catalogue lists "Gasket - W/pump housing to block L/R 300Tdi (Metal)". That's it, right? I can't find the bolts listed. Would a new water pump automatically come with new bolts?

Thanks for the replies. All those suggested things have been done fairly recently, with the exception of the thermostat, which I will renew while I'm at it. A new alternator went on yesterday, which is when I noticed the coolant.

Originally Posted by 87County

As the others have said.....

... and FWIW

depending on the state and age of your water pump bolts (they could be corroded after this leak), one or more may snap when you try to undo them, so be prepared to extract them (not a huge task).

Use a "neverseize" type of copper grease when you reinstall (it will make future replacements simpler)

At the same time I would definitely replace the water pump (not just refit the old one) - and you may as well take the thermostat out and give it all a good flush, and put a new thermostat in. Parts Cost in$n't too bad

And if your temp gauge is showing any overheating indications take the radiator out and have it "rodded" , otherwise if you need to save money you can flush in place.

If you take the radiator out (simple job), you can also flush the intercooler (take care to let it dry out thoroughly in the sun) and you may be surprised with the performance benefit if you do

It might sound like I'm loading you up with suggestions of lots of work but it's all interrelated and if you do it all while you're at the "p" gasket you'll have a reliable cooling system to see you through the next 100000km or more.

Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs (but I've seen the results of partial repairs)

I never mind being tought how to suck eggs. It doesn't hurt to be reminded of these things.