Leaking quite a lot of fluid :thumbdown: looks to me like it's coming from about here

 

 

There's a rubber pipe that comes out the side of the reservoir that then appears to change into a metal pipe that runs all along the front of the car. There's a small section of rubber hose, only an inch or two long I think, that forms a turn just before the pipe runs down to top of the front cross member. Can see fluid dripping down this vertical section so I imagine it's the join between the rubber and metal pipe above this section that's causing the issue.

 

Anyone got a good used pipe? I imagine I'll have to replace the whole section?

It's a fairly big job to replace that pipe Chris. It'll be well worth removing the intake pipes and investigating closer before you get stuck into that job as its a lot more common for leaks in that area to come from the pressure side of the system (as apposed to the lower pressure return line), specifically the pressure pipe that bolts on top of the pump (located very close to the pipe you suspect).

 

A simpler and cheaper fix too. Many people have had success getting this pipe repaired at a hydraulic shop as its the swage at the end union to the rubber hose that fails.

Hmm ok might be worth a look then. I did try and have a look around the pump pipes but it's fairly tight so could have missed it.

 

When running I could see fluid running down the vertical section of the return line, could a failure in this high pressure pipe be dripping down on to it? Not sure where they are located relative to one another

Are you sure its that hose?

Ive just repalaced the high pressure hose that is common to fail which goes down the side of the engine.

As Joel said it tends to be the pressure side that fails.

The intake pipes will have to come off, they are easy enough for u to see if it is the one you say.

Well like I said, I can see fluid running down it so I just assumed. Not sure if the high pressure pipe could cause fluid to get there or not. The cross member is soaked though. Will have to try and have another look next weekend by the sounds of it

Hoping to have a look at this either tonight or tomorrow morning. Hopefully it can be repaired, does anyone know anywhere that could do it around Wokingham/Reading?

Ok got it, crazy as it sounds it's actually pissing out a hole in the metal section of that return pipe I originally said! Felt around it with my fingers and made it worse, could clearly see it literally pissing out!

 

The pipe is pretty corroded so something just have been leaking on it in the past, no sign of that still happening now though. The radiator cross member right under it has been welded I saw. The hole is right at the bottom where it goes flat, so where the fluid would have collected a bit I suppose so that's probably caused it.

 

So I still need that pipe! Anyone?

I think I have the pipe Chris.. I'll check the car today. I sold the high pressure one last week but the return pipe may still be there..

I think I have the pipe Chris.. I'll check the car today. I sold the high pressure one last week but the return pipe may still be there..

 

That would be good, thanks! Do you know how difficult the pipe will be to get out? Must admit I didn't really look what was involved, and won't see the car again until Friday now. From what I remember there's not much in the way of getting the rack end undone and getting the section that runs along the cross member out. The bit that goes up to the reservoir has got rubber corners hasn't it? so hopefully will be enough flex to get that out.

 

I was thinking about just cutting the rusty metal section out and replacing it with a rubber hose...

The one on this car is easy to get out as there's no engine in the way. Not sure how hard they are to fit, but it's in a Z engine bay so it's bound to be a pig..

I'm not so sure you'd want to use rubber hosing either, as the cars design used a metal one, it's probably got a good reason for that.. Maybe the heat dissipation?

Anyways I'll go out there just after 3 when my daughter gets home and take a look for you..