Water Leak?

[willysjam 3]

I have replaced worn out water pipes put rad back in all connected up filled up and water leaked out. Looks like its coming from the area near where the two heater pipes go in the engine via the plastic union. Looks like some form of filler above this area. Is there a problem area here? Really didn't plan on engine out but looks likely!

 

Any ideas experiences appreciated

[Anthony 1,000]

Not the usual trick of someone having missed a headbolt spacer and holed the block above the waterpump? That's a few inches directly above the rear coolant union.

[willysjam 3]

Thanks Anthony,

 

I will take a look later. If it is this, is the block repairable?

 

Cheers

[Anthony 1,000]

Providing that it's a "clean" hole and not cracked, something like chemical metal or JBWeld will make for a long-lasting repair if you prep it correctly. Presumably it could be TIG welded for a permanent repair as well.

 

It's a pain to see with the engine in the car without a mirror, but if you run you finger directly downwards from the headbolt you'll feel the casting channel for the headbolt threaded section and below that is a ~2cm hollow where the bottom of the headbolt thread comes out. The waterpump casting is directly below and you should be able to feel the hole or bodged repair with your finger.

[toolie72 67 1 Cars]

Check for a crack on block when your there-would be a line below the head bolts (don't mean to spell doom-just worth checking when your there, on your back getting crap in your hair!!)

[mikeyd 13]

dont suppose the plastic outlet has cracked? they get brittle with age and if you have changed pipes then may have failed ?

[willysjam 3]

Thanks very much for the replies. I will get under and take a good look tomorrow and see what I can find.

 

Cheers

Edited February 22, 2017 by willysjam

[willysjam 3]

Well I now know what the problem is. There is a crack in the bock running down from below the furthest exhaust manifold bolt to the right. So sounds like the suggestion from above! I don't suppose it will be repairable once I have got the engine out. Just a couple more questions....sorry

 

I am sure there is advice on here but any tips on getting engine out easier any potential problems

 

If block not repairable is it easy to find a replacement. Its a 1991 1.6.

 

Thanks

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

The blocks if cracked are generally scrap, the casting is pretty poor and welding the so called Alloy with the large area which needs to be heated up is not easy, but they do vary but cheaper to reblock it, engine's are dead easy to find

[DamirGTI 323]

Fixed mine with epoxy metal , it's been some 10 years since i did the repair and that engine/block is still in use without issues .

 

No need to take the engine out to do the repair with epoxy metal , just the water pump needs to be removed (and the head bolt , if you wish but it's not a must) once you remove it you'll see the crack up on the 'roof' of the water pump housing .

 

For the repair to be successful and lasting - clean up the crack area as best as you can with oil free solvent (acetone or brake cleaning fluid) and rough up the area with 60/80grt. sanding paper .

 

D

[willysjam 3]

Thank you for your valued help. I suppose I've got to make a decision now. Another point is that after I bought it I tried to fire it up and it ran s*ite. It was reviving fast with no throttle and I thought it seemed smoky too. Then I couldn't get it going again so started on the other bits for restoration. So maybe best to take it out and drove a better unit?

 

It's not so much the time as the cost for me. I am sure that you can relate to the project costing more than the cars value!!

 

Regards

 

Jamie

[welshpug 1,621]

unless its rotten as a pear you'll struggle with that I would take the engine out and inspect it properly, getting another engine or block wont be expensive.