Coolant Leak - Interior

[jeff turbo]

I had to remove the complete dash as my heater was leaking and that valve, also had to remove the carpet as you may have to do to get rid of the coolant in it and this thread near the end also confirms Dom fitted the DMGRS valve https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...ghlight=heater

[WelshPetrolhead]

I had to remove the complete dash as my heater was leaking and that valve, also had to remove the carpet as you may have to do to get rid of the coolant in it and this thread near the end also confirms Dom fitted the DMGRS valve https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...ghlight=heater

Thanks Jeff. Yeah I read through that thread yesterday afternoon once I had access and noticed Dom's posts at the end. Looks like this has the potential to be quite a large job.

[David]

Thanks Jeff. Yeah I read through that thread yesterday afternoon once I had access and noticed Dom's posts at the end. Looks like this has the potential to be quite a large job.

Well if its just one of the hoses probably not, depending on which and access to the offending clip. If it is a balance valve swap, it can (just) be fitted without getting the dash out, but easier if you do I think. In any event a seat out job to let you lie down in the RH footwell anyway! I managed to change one of my hoses in that way. It had been partly chaffed through by the accelerator pedal tail end (LHD car, so next to the tunnel roughly at the valve location)

David

[jeff turbo]

Thanks Jeff. Yeah I read through that thread yesterday afternoon once I had access and noticed Dom's posts at the end. Looks like this has the potential to be quite a large job.

Not really all depends where it's leaking from, as David points out it can be removed without the dash being removed. Have a look proper at it to find out how you can do it as it's not in a great place, you may have to remove the pedal box to get it out but I'm not sure about that part as I removed the dash as the heater pipe itself was also leaking so I did whole thing in one. Have you identified where it's leaking from? A pipe, connection, the valve or something else?

[WelshPetrolhead]

At the moment Jeff, I think it could be leaking either from the hose into the heater (post 6, pic 1), or the hose attached to the bottom of the valve (pic 2/4). It could be the valve itself but the surrounding area and mounting plate is clean and the only evidence of a leak is on the hoses themselves.

I do need to check the coolant level as I had to top it up, and if I'm losing a significant amount then coolant is also leaving the system somewhere else. Unfortunately the weather is a pain in the ass at the moment!! This car isn't my daily so it's not crucial to my day to day needs.

I'm more of a bodywork/trim kinda guy than a spanner man, although have done basic jobs in the past (brakes etc) with success, hence my hesitance doing some things myself!!

[jeff turbo]

At the moment Jeff, I think it could be leaking either from the hose into the heater (post 6, pic 1), or the hose attached to the bottom of the valve (pic 2/4). It could be the valve itself but the surrounding area and mounting plate is clean and the only evidence of a leak is on the hoses themselves.

I do need to check the coolant level as I had to top it up, and if I'm losing a significant amount then coolant is also leaving the system somewhere else. Unfortunately the weather is a pain in the ass at the moment!! This car isn't my daily so it's not crucial to my day to day needs.

I'm more of a bodywork/trim kinda guy than a spanner man, although have done basic jobs in the past (brakes etc) with success, hence my hesitance doing some things myself!!

Before you remove anything can you get a bit of paper or something round where you think the leak is so it stains it and you'll then be sure? I'm self taught and would give anything a go, if I mess it up I would then send it up to Chris at Retro so nothing to lose. If you're not sure get him to fix the leak

[WelshPetrolhead]

Before you remove anything can you get a bit of paper or something round where you think the leak is so it stains it and you'll then be sure? I'm self taught and would give anything a go, if I mess it up I would then send it up to Chris at Retro so nothing to lose. If you're not sure get him to fix the leak

That's a good shout Jeff. I already have the dash panel below the steering wheel off so I can keep an eye on it. Chris is a bit more of a trek from me but an option. My closest garage would be Austin Garages at about 50 miles away who I was planning to use for some servicing.

[jeff turbo]

That's a good shout Jeff. I already have the dash panel below the steering wheel off so I can keep an eye on it. Chris is a bit more of a trek from me but an option. My closest garage would be Austin Garages at about 50 miles away who I was planning to use for some servicing.

Yeah they can also fix your leak very easily but try to find it first as that's the easy part

[WelshPetrolhead]

Well, had another look this afternoon. There was a fresh drip on the hoses but the valve still looks fine to me. I'm more and more convinced that its a hose/connection issue rather than the valve itself. I did try to get to the clips to try and seat the hoses better but with the pedals in the way and some of the clips facing the bulkhead I just can't get any purchase on them.

The good news is all the fluids in the engine bay are good. Coolant still at max, and I did 30odd miles in it yesterday. I have in the meantime put some pieces of sponge around the hoses to absorb the weeping and will keep a regular eye on it. Will look to get it booked into Austins at some point to get it looked at, order another DMGRS valve as a backup and may as well get the plenum valve fitted then too seeing as I have one ready to go.

[Pete]

Talc powder is good for tracing leaks.

Before you remove anything can you get a bit of paper or something round where you think the leak is so it stains it and you'll then be sure? I'm self taught and would give anything a go, if I mess it up I would then send it up to Chris at Retro so nothing to lose. If you're not sure get him to fix the leak