coldguinnessman 1 Posted December 19, 2020 Report Share Posted December 19, 2020 (edited) Replaced head gasket recently, while running engine for the first time a coolant leak developed and I just can't pin where it's coming from. the coolant is dripping from the bottom of the oil cooler and gets faster when the engine is running. I have replaced the crack pipe, oil cooler, hoses and seals. there is a sensor just above the oil cooler. Could that be the source? any help appreciated Edited December 19, 2020 by coldguinnessman VR6Pete 1 Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted December 19, 2020 Report Share Posted December 19, 2020 Hey mate. logic thing is that it’s crack pipe. Or the hoses are not fully tightened up. Check thermostat housing as they generally warp and never seal back properly. If you put some coolant in it should dry pink and may help you identify where it’s coming from easier ? coldguinnessman 1 Link to post Share on other sites
coldguinnessman 1 Posted December 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2020 Crack pipe was my logic too so I replaced even though I only replaced it a couple of years ago. If it's not leaking from a sensor is there any chance it's leaking from the head? Link to post Share on other sites
coldguinnessman 1 Posted December 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 Looks like it could be the knock sensor leaking. Anyone else had this? Did you have to replace sensor? Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 25 minutes ago, coldguinnessman said: Looks like it could be the knock sensor leaking. Anyone else had this? Did you have to replace sensor? Never had that before but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility but I didn’t expect it to protrude into the coolant system ? coldguinnessman 1 Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 Do you have any photos of the area where it’s leaking from? probably unrelated, but worth ruling out for peace of mind as this is a common mistake a lot of people make. coldguinnessman 1 Link to post Share on other sites
chalkyh 10 Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 After having my grey VR apart to do the crack pipe after changing the oil cooler that was putting oil into the coolant, I ended up changing all the housings onto the head because I was just chasing new leaks - in the end the thermostat elbow, sensor housing and crack pipe elbow and all o-ring seals - there were fine little cracks that were allowing coolant to get past the head o-ring 2 - and also the new crack pipe top o-ring into 19 had a little cut in it when donkey here assembled it all up. Those plastics warp and are generally not so good if original. The head o-ring 2 in the pic will run down to the knock sensor boss, certainly mine did. There's a few sellers of the full set on ebay . . . coldguinnessman 1 Link to post Share on other sites
coldguinnessman 1 Posted December 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 Thanks for the replies. Think I have ruled out knock sensor as it's on left of oil cooler and leak is down right side of oil cooler. I will try to get some photos with an inspection camera tomorrow. Autobox hasn't been touched for over 10 years so don't think that is the issue Am on my 3rd thermostat housing so that should be in good condition. Will remove again and have a closer look as I don't know how leak is being channelled to bottom of oil cooler. Biggest fear is a cracked head/block Link to post Share on other sites
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