Water leaking

[BM]

I have been using a little bit of water recently and have found a fair bit of antifreeze staining all along the manifold side of the engine block. There’s none on the drivers side of the block. At the last service they tightened up the water rail as it had been leaking (which stopped it). I think from what I have said that it needs tightening again?

 

Is the water rail the black tubing where the water temperature sender sits, and if so do I simply tighten up the two hexagonal (1.8 K Series) bolts where its fixed to the block, or have I go the wrong end of the stick?

 

If it’s not can someone tell me what I need to do?

 

Thanks

Barry

 

[shn7]

Barry,

 

The water rail is indeed the black pipe that runs along the exhaust side of the engine. Front end is connected to a hose which goes to the rad. Your leak sounds as if it's from the rear end which connects to the head. This has two bolts, top and bottom. I would suggest that you may need a new gasket for this joint. Be wary of over tightening the bolts as you risk stripping the threads in the head!!!

 

If you disconnect the rail you will lose a little coolant but not much. Best to top up, once reconnected, at the header tank whilst the front of the car is raised and with the radiator bleed screw removed to avoid air locks.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Steve.

Sussex (West) AO

Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear

[Racingshoe]

My old water rail needed epoxy to seal a tiny tiny leak around where the temp sensors join to the main rail. Took me ages to find, but pennies to fix.

 

Rik Robarts - the future's bright, the future's orange here

[Grubbster]

Mine had a pin hole in the weld between the pipe and flange so no matter how many gaskets I changed it still leaked!