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[BigAl]

Guys,

My 2.6 started leaking coolant earlier this week, since then i have done 2 short journeys yesterday -each about 5 miles after each one I have to top up the coolant as the expansion bottle was almost empty, checked what i could
to find the leak and couldn't - the water was dripping from the hole in the cross member directly below the drivers side of the rad.
So today i removed the rad, which is quite easy - until you start dropping bolts in the engine bay. I now have it on the kitchen table and cant find any obvious signs of damage- any pointers or ideas how to troubleshoot this ?

Cheers
Al

[Brikhead]

Sometimes the rad will only leak under pressure, usually they go at the sides, where they are 'crimped' together...

[omega3000]

Sometimes the rad will only leak under pressure, usually they go at the sides, where they are 'crimped' together...

Agreed 
Mine wouldn't leak until the car had been driven, then under pressure the rad leaked from a hairline crack on passenger side of rad .. leaked half the header tank on a small journey but only leaked after i had stopped 

[Nick W]

Have you considered 'pressure testing' it?

Get a cheap mountain bike inner tube, and cut it opposite the valve. Attach each end to the radiator outlets. Pump up to 14psi with a bike pump. Leave for a couple of hours, and recheck the pressure.

Do not, under any circumstances, leave in your front garden so that some theiving scum can help himself to your property!

[RobseyMV6]

You sure its that and not HBV? know you spotted coolant/water there but maybe just happen to be water laying there?
You should really have seen if was leaking by marks of coolant, have a look at the HBV for water marks...

[vauxsull]

I have a coolant leak also and assumed it was the HBV so have elite pete change it today. Turns out to be coming from the pipe going to the hater matrix thats visible to the left of the hbv. Has anyone else had this?

[BigAl]

Thanks for all the suggestions - i will try the inner tube trick tonight and see what happens.
with an eye on replacement, i spoke to my local garage who quoted £300 for genuine & £230 for pattern both seem expensive, so i have had a quick look on the net and found the following:-
http://www.adrad.co.uk/ have a GM463 replacement delivered for just under £100.
http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk have a replacement delivered  for £150.

anyone got any advise/views pointer on where to go what to avoid

Cheers
Alasdair

[omega3000]

Got mine off bay of fleas £45 delivered ...used part mind but needs must , £300 from local garage ? Begs the question how much it would be new from VX 

[RobG]

Thanks for all the suggestions - i will try the inner tube trick tonight and see what happens.
with an eye on replacement, i spoke to my local garage who quoted £300 for genuine & £230 for pattern both seem expensive, so i have had a quick look on the net and found the following:-
http://www.adrad.co.uk/ have a GM463 replacement delivered for just under £100.
http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk have a replacement delivered  for £150.

anyone got any advise/views pointer on where to go what to avoid

Cheers
Alasdair

http://www.carcooling.co.uk/catalog/Vauxhall_Omega_B_94_03-1245-2.html

[Andy B]

Got mine off bay of fleas £45 delivered ...used part mind but needs must , £300 from local garage ? Begs the question how much it would be new from VX 

 Retail    Trade    Trade Club
 £262.00    £209.73   £185.50   +vat   

[omega3000]

Got mine off bay of fleas £45 delivered ...used part mind but needs must , £300 from local garage ? Begs the question how much it would be new from VX 

 Retail    Trade    Trade Club
 £262.00    £209.73   £185.50   +vat   

  WOW     ...still thats cheaper than the original local garage cost 

[dbug]

Thanks for all the suggestions - i will try the inner tube trick tonight and see what happens.
with an eye on replacement, i spoke to my local garage who quoted £300 for genuine & £230 for pattern both seem expensive, so i have had a quick look on the net and found the following:-
http://www.adrad.co.uk/ have a GM463 replacement delivered for just under £100.
http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk have a replacement delivered  for £150.

anyone got any advise/views pointer on where to go what to avoid

Cheers
Alasdair

http://www.carcooling.co.uk/catalog/Vauxhall_Omega_B_94_03-1245-2.html

Had two from these people (for different cars!) - quick delivery and no probs since fitting.

[BigAl]

right tried the inner tube trick - how do you keep the tube on the radiator ?
I tried using the clamps for the hoses but it is far too loose

Cheers
Al

[BigAl]

scratch that - found some hose clips that fitted and can confirm the rad is leaking somewhere from the drivers side, I will strip the rad totally tomorrow and investigate further
Al

[Nick W]

right tried the inner tube trick - how do you keep the tube on the radiator ?
I tried using the clamps for the hoses but it is far too loose

Cheers
Al

The inner tube is thinner than the radiator hoses, so the original clips won't work. Bin the useless spring clips and use proper worm drive ones. Jubilee is the usual and original brand, but not the only one. They're easier to fit/remove and give a reliable and adjustable clamp to anything but the very smallest hoses. The spring ones are used simply for quick assembly, and for no other reason.