T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

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pier1
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T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

Hi

I spotted evidence of coolant on the right side of the rocker cover tray.

No evidence of any leaking hoses or flanges.

Cleaned it up, topped up the expansion bottle (blue cap) drove 90 miles, and again, coolant was in the same spot.

Blue cap + thermostat are new.

Could it be a worn 'O' ring (below) spraying out a bit of coolant which then collects on the rocker cover cover ?
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/e ... ostat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or, somewhere else?

Thanks

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mrhutch
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by mrhutch »

explain what you mean by "rocker cover tray"
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pier1
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

IMG_8982  Small.jpg
IMG_8982 Small.jpg (37.02 KiB) Viewed 3085 times
Hi

To the left of the alternator. apologies yes it must be the pushrod cover plate

Pic attached (hopefully)

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R0B
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by R0B »

Removed my post as i noticed yours was an oil burner so no pushrod covers :)
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mrhutch
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by mrhutch »

got a better picture?? maybe from slightly further away>?
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pier1
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

Hi

If this pic is no good, I'll take some more later.

Attached is a pic If you look down behind the alternator. There is some coolant below the 2 hoses.

To the lift above the 2 hoses, is a metal tray where coolant also collects.
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pier1
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

Another pic
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mrhutch
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by mrhutch »

the "metal tray" is part of the alternator bracket?
Unlikely to be the O ring you suspect to be honest. Any overheating?
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

Hi

no overheating.

I don't think the metal tray is anything to do with the alternator as the metal plate is under the fuel injection on the right side.

Thanks

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mrhutch
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by mrhutch »

sorry just looked again, it's part of the bracket that holds the injection pump...

There would be one thing that would worry me about coolant pooling in that position (you're sure it's coolant and not diesel??) and thats a weeping head gasket.

Clean it all off really well and start the engine and see if you can see where it originates
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pier1
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

Hi

I did as you suggested.

I doubt if it's the head gasket. No water mixing with oil.

Also, when the coolant leaks it collects on the right side of the metal cover (above the head. When hot, it must be excaping from somewhere. The techie in Brickwerks said it the hoses & flanges are ok, it must be the sea - waterpump to block to thermostat seal. See part below.

Would like to know is that metal plate called!

thanks again

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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by mrhutch »

Image

if it's this bit then it's the injection pump bracket..

I would kind of agree about the seal of waterpump to block - it's a bit of a job to change that as you'll have to completely remove alternator etc...
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mrhutch
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by mrhutch »

and while you're there you may as well change the waterpump!
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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by pier1 »

Yep, I think I'll take your sound advice and change the water pump. Putting the car away until March, so will do it over the winter.

Thanks again for your advice + time..

Keep well

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Re: T3 1.6TD loss of coolant mystery

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Spray from oil cooler?
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