Collant in the "V"

[Donkey]

Hi folks,
I have found coolant in the "V" but I can't see where it's coming from. Obviously It will need investigating but as a starter, can anyone suggest where the problem may lie.

Brian

[Matt Cook]

In order of least hassle to fix/change

Thermostat Cover Gasket (mine is weeping from here at the moment, a nice thick gasket is in the post from LD Parts as I type!)
Bypass hoses and heater hoses
Inlet manifold
Water pump seal failure, water could leaking out the opening in the block behind the water pump cover

Good luck
Matt

[Donkey]

In order of least hassle to fix/change

Thermostat Cover Gasket (mine is weeping from here at the moment, a nice thick gasket is in the post from LD Parts as I type!)
Bypass hoses and heater hoses
Inlet manifold
Water pump seal failure, water could leaking out the opening in the block behind the water pump cover

Good luck
Matt

Thanks Matt.

Kind regards,
Brian

[RobinLegin]

Mine was the métal bypass hose laid across the top of the V. Now replaced with a shiny new stainless steel one. The old soft metal one was corroded where the jubilee clips held it to the rubber hoses.

[JeffW]

In order of least hassle to fix/change

Thermostat Cover Gasket (mine is weeping from here at the moment, a nice thick gasket is in the post from LD Parts as I type!)
Bypass hoses and heater hoses
Inlet manifold
Water pump seal failure, water could leaking out the opening in the block behind the water pump cover

Good luck
Matt

+ 1 for this list. Mine was Inlet manifold gasket(s), but before you rip it all apart, if you have eliminated all in Matt's list, do ensure the inlet manifold bolts are torqued up properly. Mine were barely finger-tight and another member recently found the same. They bizarrely come loose!

Jeff

[Goldstar]

Are you driving the car regularly and it has just happened or has the car been laid up for some time?

[Robmsharp]

When my car had coolant in the V it turned out to be the water pump. I hope in your case its a simpler fix but if it does turn out to be the pump then I recommend refurbishing the pump and not replacing it as it will cost a lot less and ensure that the pump gear meshes with the jackshaft just as it should. Taking the pump apart can be achieved with the minimum of tools and I would recommend getting a machine shop to lightly skim the running surface of the pump impeller where it runs against the sea, due to corrosion caused by an air/water mix due to the expansion bottle being mounted so low. In my case I've hoped to eliminate this by fitting a proper header tank which should keep the impeller fully immersed in coolant.

[Donkey]

Are you driving the car regularly and it has just happened or has the car been laid up for some time?

No the car gets used regularly. I noticed it when I'd just swapped the "S" Type over in the garage and had left Cyd ticking over in the garden. When it was placed back in the garage and I shut the engine down, I could here this hissing, a bit like a kettle. It was then that I noticed the coolant in the "V". At the moment I have done nothing, once I've exhausted everyone's knowledge, I'll have to decide what to do, probably my local "Classic" friendly garage. I'm not sure if it's something I could tackle.

Brian

[Matt Cook]

If it's hissing you should have a good chance of finding it and it sounds more than just a weap. Have a really good look at the hoses. How old are they? Have you checked the jubilee clips are tight? Check to see if any of the joints are weeping you might be able to feel some moisture.

Matt

[Donkey]

If it's hissing you should have a good chance of finding it and it sounds more than just a weap. Have a really good look at the hoses. How old are they? Have you checked the jubilee clips are tight? Check to see if any of the joints are weeping you might be able to feel some moisture.

Matt

Thanks Matt,
I've had a good look around and feel but can't see anything obvious. So far I have not run the engine again for fear of doing any further damage but maybe a short burst may help.

Brian

[Stagdad]

I would fit a 1/2" bsp to 15mm compression fitting in the radiator filler with a short bit of 15mm pipe and connect a dry air pressure tester you can pump up with a foot pump or air line . Check for leaks with leak detection spray if you can't see coolant coming out. All these things avaliable from a plumbers merchant.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Todays-Tool...e69efdffe543ef

[Goldstar]

No the car gets used regularly. I noticed it when I'd just swapped the "S" Type over in the garage and had left Cyd ticking over in the garden. When it was placed back in the garage and I shut the engine down, I could here this hissing, a bit like a kettle. It was then that I noticed the coolant in the "V". At the moment I have done nothing, once I've exhausted everyone's knowledge, I'll have to decide what to do, probably my local "Classic" friendly garage. I'm not sure if it's something I could tackle.

Brian

Fair enough, was hoping it was the WP seal needing some miles to seal again. Sounds like Stagdad's option might be the way forward?

[DJT]

Similar to Steve’s method, I used a short length of 6mm rubber tubing with an old bike tyre Shraeder valve in one end, and a bicycle pump with pressure gauge built in. Remove the overflow pipe from the radiator and attach this tube in its place. Use the pump to pressurise the system listening for leaks.
My money is on a loose jubilee clip on the by-pass hose.

[Stagdad]

Similar to Steve’s method, I used a short length of 6mm rubber tubing with an old bike tyre Shraeder valve in one end, and a bicycle pump with pressure gauge built in. Remove the overflow pipe from the radiator and attach this tube in its place. Use the pump to pressurise the system listening for leaks.
My money is on a loose jubilee clip on the by-pass hose.

That would be a cheaper way, I have all the bits so didn't cost me.

[DJT]

That would be a cheaper way, I have all the bits so didn't cost me.

Same here, Steve.......