Collant leak in VOD.

[flux3d]

Well, after stripping down the engine I found a right mess in the VOD. Fair amount of coolant in there and some serious dirt. To start with I was worried there would be some serious block rot, but everything seems to be ok so far. Dodged that one I think.

I've removed the water pump and the pipes that go through the VOD. The hoses connecting them were pretty old and distressed, so maybe this is where the coolant is coming from. The water pump seems fine, but again the connection to the hose looks shot, so maybe from here as well. The only other place I can see that it would come from would be a leak in the head gasket, but the engine hasn't given me any trouble. It's not over heated, plus passed its recent MOT with flying colours, low Hydrocarbons etc.

I'm thinking of getting either the full silicone hose set or the one for the water pump only and changing them over. Hopefully this will solve the issue.

I've done this video of all the process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMUgPMFah-k&feature=youtu.be

What do people think. Will the replacement of the hoses solve the problem? Should I paint the VOD or just leave it alone?

Mark

[ALEXAKOS]

Yeah I saw that on DMC talk. Like I mentioned there, it seems like there is also some engine oil leakage involved.

The hoses would be best to replace. I got me a complete silicone set.

http://delorean.gostorego.com/parts-18/ ... icone.html

[flux3d]

Yeah, there did seem to be some oil in there as well, but no obvious sign of where it came from. My thinking was that it may have ended up there from a spillage or something over the years. If not that then where could it have come from?

[delorean12uk]

when their is oil in the valley, it usually means the main oil gallery is leaking, unfortunately it's a common problem

[flux3d]

After cleaning everything out I think the gunk in there was mainly coolant and dirt. Maybe a thin film of oil, but it didn't seem like it was anything major. I've now cleaned out all the deep voids and it looks like there isn't any rot in there to speak of. The sides and bottom of the holes are all smooth and even, and all the holes seem to be of equal depth. Here is a video of my progress so far....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01vP_KVJP9A&feature=youtu.be

[delorean12uk]

what you've got to do now is put it all back together and run it for a few miles, then take the inlet manifold off to check the valley. the aluminium is a very poor grade and goes porous!!!

[flux3d]

Yep, was thinking I'll have to do that. Just getting everthing cleaned up and ready to go back, oh and replacing bits like the water pump and hoses while in there. Soon be done. Bet nice to hear it start up again. Scary stuff having so much of the car in my conservatory rather than in the car.

[Admin-bloke]

You could see if you can borrow an endoscope to check it after. It should save having to stop it down again after.