Coolant Leak - Interior
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  1. #1
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    Default Coolant Leak - Interior

    Hi

    Still waiting to receive the questionnaire for full access but in the meantime... I have noticed a strong smell of coolant in the cabin once the car is up to temperature. On investigation today (the car has not been used so cold) I have found evidence of a leak in the drivers foot well, next to the clutch pedal. I have attached an image..

    It looks to me like the middle hose isn't properly seated or is this wishful thinking? I am aware that there is a 3 way valve above this just out of shot, but that part appears to be unobtainable. I've only had a quick look so far as it started to rain quite heavily, hoping to get a dry day this weekend.

    If it is the valve, how would I approach this going forward? I only bought the car a week ago (privately, and I don't recall smelling coolant on the test drive)

    Thanks in advance,

    Ben

    leak.jpg

  2. #2
    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WelshPetrolhead View Post
    Hi

    Still waiting to receive the questionnaire for full access but in the meantime... I have noticed a strong smell of coolant in the cabin once the car is up to temperature. On investigation today (the car has not been used so cold) I have found evidence of a leak in the drivers foot well, next to the clutch pedal. I have attached an image..

    It looks to me like the middle hose isn't properly seated or is this wishful thinking? I am aware that there is a 3 way valve above this just out of shot, but that part appears to be unobtainable. I've only had a quick look so far as it started to rain quite heavily, hoping to get a dry day this weekend.

    If it is the valve, how would I approach this going forward? I only bought the car a week ago (privately, and I don't recall smelling coolant on the test drive)

    Thanks in advance,

    Ben
    Yes that is the 3-hose, 2-way balance valve, or a hose to it. They were available exchange from Austin Garages a little while back for around £200 (admin@austingarages.co.uk). Unsure if they still have one. Drop them an email. Specify balance valve and RHD ZT260 (Rovers are 4-hose, and LHD are different).
    Alternative is DMGRS. Make sure you specify the balance valve under the dash NOT the plenum valve. Again unsure about the valve being a direct fit. Someone here modified a valve to work though, and I'll try and sort out the reference later today. Busy now with a gutted interior fixing a sunroof rain-water leakage, and need this single dry day!

    David
    Last edited by David; 16-03-2024 at 09:31 AM.

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    Registered User Pete's Avatar
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    Ben

    As you observe the middle hose clip looks like it's too far away from the joint. Maybe sitting on the bulbous annulas. Maybe refitted by PO. 3 Way valve in club shop. Info on here. This is one Heater leaking problems - Page 2 (two-sixties.co.uk)

    Last edited by David; 16-03-2024 at 05:39 PM.
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    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
    Ben

    As you observe the middle hose clip looks like it's too far away from the joint. Maybe sitting on the bulbous annulas. Maybe refitted by PO. 3 Way valve in club shop. Info on here. This is one Heater leaking problems - Page 2 (two-sixties.co.uk)
    Yes that's the post I was referring to from jeffturbo. The vlave he used is from DMGRS sold normally as a plenum valve and modified. Extensive description on "how to" in the thread, but Ben has no access to it yet! If its not just a misplaced hose, best to contact Austin Garages and/or DMGRS right away.

    Any way to 'fast-track' full membership for him Tim, Nich ?

    David

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    Quote Originally Posted by David View Post
    ...................

    Any way to 'fast-track' full membership for him Tim, Nich ?

    David
    Done.

    Nich.
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    Thanks Guys for your help so far. Nich, I've had the questionnaire and sent it back to Tim. I'm just waiting on my MGOC number as I've done that today too.

    Luckily it was a dry morning so I got out, removed the panel under the steering wheel to get a better look. I mopped up what I could get to with some tissue to dry it. Tried jiggling that hose inwards but its going nowhere...Is it just a case of pinching the clip to loosen, push hose on more and release the clip?? I'm wary of disturbing anything at the moment.

    Took the car out for a run to get it up to temperature, started to get a whiff of coolant. I then changed the settings on the climate (which was set to auto), up to 23 degrees, and the dashboard/face vents. Interestingly the coolant smell faded. Got the car back on the drive, left it running and got into the footwell to have a look and its the same as after I cleaned it up. I will check the car later once it is fully cold, to see if there is any change to the footwell area but also check the coolant level.

    As a side note, the car has the DMGRS plenum valve fitted, I have an invoice for both the part itself, and another for fitting it, and even the old part in a box... The car came with a box of bits and I have what I assume is the club 3 way valve (The box it was in has Tim's name and address on it!) The actuator on top has a Bosch VW/Audi label. I thought that this was a spare for the plenum valve or an upgrade over the DMGRS one. I will check out the thread above, but could this be used for the interior valve?

    I've taken a few pics of the area, the valve doesn't look terrible from what I can see, so perhaps its a minor weep. The new assumed club valve is in pic 5

    PXL_20240316_125313734.jpgPXL_20240316_125241041.jpgPXL_20240316_125337146.jpgPXL_20240316_125401921.jpgPXL_20240316_140340077 (1).jpg

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    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WelshPetrolhead View Post
    Thanks Guys for your help so far. Nich, I've had the questionnaire and sent it back to Tim. I'm just waiting on my MGOC number as I've done that today too.
    I see your name is already showing Green, meaning you now have full member access status.

    Luckily it was a dry morning so I got out, removed the panel under the steering wheel to get a better look. I mopped up what I could get to with some tissue to dry it. Tried jiggling that hose inwards but its going nowhere...Is it just a case of pinching the clip to loosen, push hose on more and release the clip?? I'm wary of disturbing anything at the moment.
    Understand your reluctance, but yes

    Took the car out for a run to get it up to temperature, started to get a whiff of coolant. I then changed the settings on the climate (which was set to auto), up to 23 degrees, and the dashboard/face vents. Interestingly the coolant smell faded. Got the car back on the drive, left it running and got into the footwell to have a look and its the same as after I cleaned it up. I will check the car later once it is fully cold, to see if there is any change to the footwell area but also check the coolant level.
    That figures. The balance valve probably works then

    As a side note, the car has the DMGRS plenum valve fitted, I have an invoice for both the part itself, and another for fitting it, and even the old part in a box... The car came with a box of bits and I have what I assume is the club 3 way valve (The box it was in has Tim's name and address on it!) The actuator on top has a Bosch VW/Audi label. I thought that this was a spare for the plenum valve or an upgrade over the DMGRS one. I will check out the thread above, but could this be used for the interior valve?

    I've taken a few pics of the area, the valve doesn't look terrible from what I can see, so perhaps its a minor weep. The new assumed club valve is in pic 5
    I found this thread from the last owner, but is not really clear what has been done:
    https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...4-Heater-Valve
    If it transpires that the problem looks like more than a leaking hose joint, try and call Dom to ask which, if not both, of the valves have indeed been changed, and how. I'm assuming that the Two-Sixties valve has been fitted, or waiting to be fitted, as intended in the plenum (main Hot/Cold valve) and the other DMGRS one is the one now leaking, modified and operating as a replacement Balance valve.

    David
    Last edited by David; 16-03-2024 at 03:39 PM.

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    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
    Last edited by jeff turbo; 17-03-2024 at 10:52 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeff turbo View Post
    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.

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    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WelshPetrolhead View Post
    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
    Last edited by David; 17-03-2024 at 11:40 AM.

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