Re: Coolant Leak in Vee

["JOHN CLAYTON" <john.h.clayton@domain.elided>]

Peter,

My guess is that it's the gasket between manifold and
head. There's a long thin slot at the bottom of the two
rear manifold "arms" which carries water.

There's also a small hole at the top of the two front
"arms" which also carries water, and mine is leaking 
from the left hand one. 

I've had the manifold on and off several 
times but have yet to cure it. The last suggestion I had
was to apply a thin bead of silicone sealant and let it
get almost dry before installing the manifold.

It's important to let it dry as otherwise there's a danger
of it squeezing into the hole/slot and blocking it.

In my case I've had the heads off so may not have them
perfectly aligned. My next task is to loosen one before
installing the manifold. However, if your heads haven't 
been disturbed recently then the alignment should be OK
and it's probably just a leaking gasket.

I'll be interested to know what you find.

John Clayton 

----------
> From: PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided
> To: stag@domain.elided
> Subject: Coolant Leak in Vee
> Date: 25 August 1998 21:19
> 
> Hi all
> The coolant leak has reached epic proportions in the last two days. Pints
of
> coolant escaping down over the starter motor.
> I presumed it was the Water Pump gland leaking, but thought I had better
> check.
> I examined the area of the vee with a very bright torch while the engine
was
> running. I can just see the water pump vent to the vee under the manifold
from
> top with my eye somewhere near the end of the wiper arm. 
> Strange, it was dry as a bone, but the rear of the Vee was filling up
with
> coolant.
> Looking around I can just see it dribbling from the rear of the LH
cylinder
> head under the manifold.
> Has anyone had experience of that.
> Is it a leaking head gasket, or a leaking gasket of the manifold, or is
there
> a hole in the head. (HaHa) I may not be laughing if the heads seized on!
> All donations of related experience gratefully accepted.
> Peter Howells