Technical This is why you car might dump its coolant

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Technical This is why you car might dump its coolant

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Started working on my new acquistion yesterday. Front bumper came off, front panel, headlights out etc etc, then saw there was little or no coolant in the radiator.


An inspection of the radiator looked like the raditor was sound, then I saw this lurking behind it.

Took of the radiator and fan and saw it in all its glory.

The main metal water pipe, completely rusted through with a nice big hole.

For future reference if your car dumps it's coolant, check this.

Pictures are not uploading for some reason
 
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Easy to replace? How is it described when looking for one to buy?

This one, not that easy to find; https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=18786&sku=268110

Anyone with the Ford part number?

How to,
Remove the cooling fan(s).
Drain system by pulling off the bottom hose, "pop" back on brim system with water, yank off bottom hose to dump all the water in one go, repeat several times, you'll be surprised how much crap gets sucked out.
Remove the loose rust around the area the pipe mates with the block.
( I removed the oil filter, protect the open area with the filter removed, and remove any more rust, in my case lots).
Loosen the large hose clip on metal pipe and detach hose, same with small ones.
Use a thin extension bar on a socket( I used a 1/4" set) to remove the one bolt holding the pipe in place between the manifold.
Wiggle pipe free and out, replace with new, use some jointing compound as its just a push fit, replace bolt and pipes.
Jubilee clips 2x22mm and I think 42mm(might be 32 can't remember now)
Re fill and bleed system being EXTREMELY careful with the bleed screw.
 
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This looks (at least the one in typecast's picture) caused by mechanical stress on top of corrosion that is probably supported by temperature variations close to the engine block. It might help to not use the original part again but replace the small pipe with a flexible coolant tube and just leave a bit of pipe on each end as an adapter to the tube.
At least in good Fiat tradition the replacement part is not expensive...
 
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This looks (at least the one in typecast's picture) caused by mechanical stress on top of corrosion that is probably supported by temperature variations close to the engine block. It might help to not use the original part again but replace the small pipe with a flexible coolant tube and just leave a bit of pipe on each end as an adapter to the tube.
At least in good Fiat tradition the replacement part is not expensive...

The pipe runs behind the exhaust manifold so needs to be steel, also its a push fit into the block, nothing holds it in place bar the strength of the pipe, there's no mechanical fixings bar the one bolt.

I agree the end where the corrosion starts may get flexed due to the rubber pipe attached at the end, though its exposed to everything in front of the engine and suspect it rusts from outside in with salt etc., again I think its a good idea for it to be replaced at say 6 years old as a precaution regardless of appearance?
 
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Hmm, looks quite a fiddly job. My other half's 1.2 is 5 years old next year, so I was going to get our local indy to do a cambelt/tensioner/waterpump change then. I'll probably get a coolant pipe and get them to change that too while it's drained down.
 
Hmm, looks quite a fiddly job. My other half's 1.2 is 5 years old next year, so I was going to get our local indy to do a cambelt/tensioner/waterpump change then. I'll probably get a coolant pipe and get them to change that too while it's drained down.
No it's quite straight forward easy access once you've removed the cooling fan, removing the loose rust and keeping the bits away from inside the engine can be an issue.
Tell them to be gentle with the bleed valve if your Indy does it?
 
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