Bumble Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hopefully not the head gasket? Linky ☹️ Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Linky dont work for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 First thing to check is the little gasket where the water rail joins the head. Notorious for leaking. When they do, the water tracks along the joint between head and block and can appear at the front as in your picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Just managed to have a better look at the picture. Not sure but from what I can see are there signs of coolant leakage more generally sprayed around. I'm particularly looking at the back of the timing belt cover. If so, take the belt cover off and have a good look at the water pump as the leak could be coming from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Where the rust mark is, is exactly where my gasket failed. The elastomer on the original rover gasket was only just sealing from the witness marks on the block and gave up after 10years. Fine jet of coolant spraying everywhere. Simple gasket change sorted it. I did mine myself, but you local favourite garage will have done plenty of k-series gaskets in the past so won't be frightened of another if you don't fancy it. Bri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bumble Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Thanks all, got it booked in this Sat to be looked at, hopefully it can be repaired or replaced for Brands Hatch on the 3rd - is it a particularly time consuming thing to do if the gasket needs replacing? - considering you have the right tools etc.? Thanks, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bumble Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 Quick update - it was a water inlet gasket that failed. It was sorted out rapidly by Sevens and Classics. I picked the car up yesterday afternoon in time to drive round the corner and hand the keys to my brothers in law for their first track session - a novice session at brands - glad it was an inexpensive repair! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Excellent news! Water must have been tracking around the head/block joint and appearing on the opposite side of the engine, which can be most confusing for diagnosis, but with the angle the engine is mounted in the Caterham is actually to be expected. Just for the record, by "water inlet gasket" - do you mean it was one of the water channels in the inlet manifold gasket? Do you have a plastic or aluminium inlet manifold? I know the gaskets used on the plastic ones are known for failing and leaking water. Water is used to gently warm the manifold as the evaporating fuel chills it and eventually can lead to fuel condensing on the manifold walls and the engine stumbling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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