Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Small coolant leak from radiator - Roadster.

Dave,
I had the same issue with our Roadster (March 08). I kept topping up and I think this over filled it which caused an over flow that looked like a leak.
Left it alone now and it seems fine, but the header tank level goes up and down a lot each time it's used. So in my experience don't worry if it hits the low level line once in a while.
When it did over flow, it dripped down variuos hoses, engine block etc.
All is OK now, now drips but just a varying level.
Regards
Mark

Thanks Mark, that's good advice. I've checked the ST220 Drivers Forum (God help us all), and there's no mention of HGF, so it's clearly not a generic issue with this engine.

Dave
On seeing your original post, I did the same checks as you recommended, I also noted a slow reduction in the coolant. Additionally I have noted a sweet smell in the area of the nearside cat wheel arch, once the engine is hot.
Although I now have the K Seal ready, I have hesitated until I am certain there is a leak, no damp patch seen so far.

Well Dave I think you've pointed me in the right direction!!!!!!!!

Tonight I had another look underneath and the carpet (on the garage floor) was wet. A quick inspection with newspaper showed a leak like a nosebleed. Drip....drip....drip.
A leak!!!! I'm so pleased...... it could have been a lot worse....
It's where the long pipe which passes under the nearside manifold (recently insulated with foil) meets the vertical short hose at the back of the engine. Clearly the low temperatures have contracted the metal pipe and increased the leak...........
I also presume that when the coolant is hot it will expand the pipe and reduce the leak, probably to nothing.

This is the offending Jubillee Clip: (Screwdriver is pointing at it).
This view is after removing the air box and washer bottle (simple enough).


This is the combo I used to tighten it up........

The trouble was, that I got it tight, but it was still dripping slightly.
Then 'just another turn' stripped the worm drive. It's 40mm, and as you might expect I have a box of assorted worm drive clips, but none at 40mm. So I had to shorten the next size up, which is simple enough with a hacksaw & file. Then I undid the old clip and peeled it off. Water loss was minimal. My solution to a bad seal is to introduce a smear of grease in the joint, and I did that using the screwdriver in the first photo, making sure that it was spread all the way round, and an inch up the hose. Then I fitted the new clip. It's pretty tight, but I won't know until tomorrow if it's completely cured. I've left some newspaper underneath to monitor progress.

This is the offending clip from below:
You can see how cramped it is - but not as cramped as the top clip......



This is the view from the side. The flat metal piece is the water pump drive belt guard. The pulley is visible at the bottom.


This shows just how close the top clip is to the drive belt. It really is that close.


So finally, while we're in this location, this is where the gearbox numbers are stamped............


That's all for now. Feeling much happier.

Dave
Great news on your discovery. I am still unsure if I have a leak, maybe it is, as described by Mark in an earlier post, expanding and overflowing from the expansion tank when running. Will continue to monitor.

The Game's not over yet Dave. Checked tonight and still getting a small drip, so had the clip off again and gave it another go. I also ran the engine to full temp and found that one of the hoses to the heat exchanger above the oil filter was getting moist. So in the end I've checked all the Jubillee Clips I could see, and most took a quarter/half turn easily. As I left it tonight, all appeared OK, but I'm wary of when it cools down again.........
As a side issue, I found a wet patch in the garage carpet in front of a rear wheel. and standing water on the running board. This was baffling. Natural reaction is to look up at the garage roof - but no drips. What I'd done was perch the washer bottle on the heater box. This is higher than the washer jets, and half the washer water had siphoned out and run down both sides of the Mog, leaving two big wet patches on the floor. I then spent the next hour drying this out Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So we'll see what tomorrow brings, but best advice is to check those Jubilee's.....

Good bit of detective work on the new damp patch, I have done the same. I took off the lower bit of the air intake yesterday for a view of the jubilee clip you had been working on, but no clues there for me. Incidently the upper part of the air filter, which is screwed on, how does this bit fully come off. Do you have to remove the jubilee clip at the top right?
As i speak the roads are dry and salt free for the first time in a week so I will be getting out there for a blast and further checks

I guess so Dave, and lifting the box gives access to the plugs on that side. Eventually I intend to lift the plenum chamber so that I can check the plugs on the offside, but that's a way ahead, unless fate intervenes. Should make a good technical thread. The plugs are quite pricey.........

Well, I've had a better session in the garage this afternoon. No leaks on the newspaper under the Mog, and no dampness on the joint in question. I think running it hot has allowed it to fidget into place. We'll see. The carpet tiles have also dried out and the dehumidifier was full. So I've reset the coolant level cold,so watch this space.............

I called in Wickes this afternoon and picked up some 40mm Jubilee clips just in case. The reason I didn't have that size in stock was that I'd used the 40mm in one of my (failed) spare wheel security device prototypes and not replaced them.....

My first break through on my suspect coolant leak. Small puddle after 3 days on the paper. Initial thoughts the heat exchanger pipes in the vacinity of the oil filter. No time today but will be getting the screwdriver in there for a tighten up. Will also get a few of the 40mm Jubilees you suggest, to add to my spares.