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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Len on 24 April 2007, 09:34
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Went back out to the garage last evening, after a shopping trip earlier and I see a major coolant leak.
Now it had been fine whilst driving, no waring light, no movement of guage from normal. So this happened whilst car was cooling down in garage!
Anyway, lift bonnet and cant see any obvious signs. So I top up the water. Then I squeeze the top hose and I see water pissing out of this pipe. This is a plastic section of pipe under the inlet manifold. Its a moulded T piece that joins onto the block with bolts and then goes into the top hose and down to the oil cooler I think! So is at the hottest part of the system.
So my mate is with me and we can see 2 hex head type bolts holding it to the block, undo these and go to pull it away. NO!
There is a 3rd bolt up under the inlet manifold! :angry:
Can see it but cant get anything in to undo it!
So only solution is take the inlet manifold off!
Now 2nd bolt (hex) (5mm) goes and rounds on me! Steve says only way is to drill it out!
So check the rest and luckily they all come loose. So back to the stuck one. Try some heat I say! Well with an old gas can flame I get some heat on int and found an old 6mm hex and wang it in! Hammered in very hard using 1/2 inch drive stuff and a big hammer! Well it budges!
So top section comes away! Oh no it doesnt! There are 3 bolts on brackets behind and underneath the back of the throttle body! Find and undo them and top section can be lifted up out of the way.
Then the bottom section, with the injectors can be got at. This comes off o.k. and eventually I can get to this 3rd bolt of the plastic pipe!
Next problem will be actually finding the part!
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i had a split in this one once.. got it sorted at a garage... lol.. new part from the block.. wasn't pricey
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Good!
No I dont mean good but you know!
I thought I was halucinating or something1 I mean why would a solid plastic pipe spring a major leak and not a hose?
Yea this went along the seam in the plastic. Was really pissing out under pressure.
Thanks 'Seer, kinda put my mind at rest.
And good to see ya around again mate! :wink:
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Well my mate has sourced the part - VAG main dealer only, but its not in stock of course so gotta wait until 2moro!
Cost £8 so not bad!
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Well mate got part and I fitted it and put everything back together. Topped up with just water for now and test drove it - all done in under an hour!
Used all new hex head bolts.
Will drain and flush the system and refill with the proper antifreeze at the weekend.
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Here's a pic of the offending part!
You can see the nice new shiny hex head bolts, one on either side and just a glimpse of the 3rd top one!
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w170/Len405/Dsc01020.jpg)
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yup thats the exact same one i had start leaking during a coolant change... doh!
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well believe me I hope it never goes again!
That top bolt was a killer! Tried a swivel knuckle and no way could I get on the hex head! No alternative to taking the manifold off!
I just didnt believe that a piece of plastic could split like that!
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i took it to a garage :cool:
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Yea I know you said!
I had no chance of doing that. The leak had drained a good part of the coolant and driving it more than a mile would have shot the rest out! result = siezed engine!
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yeah.. meant theres reason i pay someone to do it.. cant be arsed lol
ah right.. mine just needed some rest and extra water if it started spitting coolant (usually if idling without movng)
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With mine all I had to do was squeeze the top hose and it just p!ssed out!
Thats how you find leaks usually.