Whats This? And How Can It Be Avoided?

[pete1986 2]

Iv found the source of my 3 litres-a-day water leak! Its coming from a pipe underneath the throttle body that is pressed against the radiator and is now leaking. Heres a photo for you.

 

 

 

Has this happened to anyone else before and how have you avoided it happening again?

 

Also, should there not be a pipe where i have circled?

[large 33]

The pipe to the T.B. is just to keep it warm in winter. You can just take the pipe that runs from the top of the stat and run it straght to the expansion tank. The bit with the ring around it should be like that.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

What management is your car running?

 

The only cars I've seen a valve like that fitted to had Motronic or I've seen it on later Pugs with Magnetti Marelli MM8P etc for cars with the carbon cannister emissions control system.

 

Is the end of the pipe connected anywhere or is the leak simply due to the fact its worn a hole in the rad?

 

Graham.

[pete1986 2]

I have Motronic 1.3 managment - DFW engine.

 

The pipe goes from the bottom of the TB on to errr... whatever that thing in the pic is (what is it?). The leak is coming from the pipe, which now has a hole in it because of the engine movment causing it to rub on the rad.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

I have Motronic 1.3 managment - DFW engine.

 

The pipe goes from the bottom of the TB on to errr... whatever that thing in the pic is (what is it?). The leak is coming from the pipe, which now has a hole in it because of the engine movment causing it to rub on the rad.

Its the cannister purge solenoid (item 22 on haynes wiring diagram) that would've been connected to the charcoal cannister afaik on the M1.3 system.

 

It shouldn't have any water in though afaik.

 

Graham.

[pete1986 2]

So whats the pipe for then?

 

Maybe the leak is actually a hole in the rad then, ill have a better look at it and maybe try some radiator cement

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

So whats the pipe for then?

I hazard a guess that whoever fitted the engine & wiring left it connected to the engine but removed the pipe from that side of the purge solenoid when they removed it from the donor car but never removed it completely or fitted the charcoal cannister.

 

If its a hole in the rad, get a new rad. They are only about £40 & cement blocks the rad & heater matrx etc so its not great stuff imo.

 

Saying that there is a relatively new radiator leak sealer thats recommended by the AA, has been thoroughly tested & apparently doesn't block anything but the hole. It works on decent sized holes as well. Shame I can't remember the name of it but the AA carry it with them.

 

Graham.

[pete1986 2]

Oh ok, cheers Graham.

 

I had a better look tonight, took the pipe of and it had worn right down through two layers - only the inner bit left (just!). Replaced it with another bit of pipe and with a bit of adjusting, it now clears the rad. So if it still leaks ill know its the rad.

[jackherer 543]

Saying that there is a relatively new radiator leak sealer thats recommended by the AA, has been thoroughly tested & apparently doesn't block anything but the hole. It works on decent sized holes as well. Shame I can't remember the name of it but the AA carry it with them.

 

Araldite is very good at sealing radiator holes, you can cover the hole from the outside and let it dry before running the engine so there is no way it will get anywhere else.

[taylorspug 7]

I hazard a guess that whoever fitted the engine & wiring left it connected to the engine but removed the pipe from that side of the purge solenoid when they removed it from the donor car but never removed it completely or fitted the charcoal cannister.

 

That would be me!

 

Yeah i never got the cannister etc, but thought id leave the wiring in there in case it was ever needed (for whatever reason). Being a reasonably rare DFW loom i didnt want to chop it up too much so i left it all in place and plonked the engine in...!

 

Shouldnt be leaking water though...

[pete1986 2]

Yup still leaking! Not as bad as before though, which is bizarre if its not a water pipe?!

 

Time for a new rad then, although i may give araldite a go first, as suggested.

[marksorrento205 80]

Araldite is very good at sealing radiator holes, you can cover the hole from the outside and let it dry before running the engine so there is no way it will get anywhere else.

 

Tried and tested on a corsa d i had for years!!