Earlier today I was wondering what the sudden strange smell was when seconds later the Coolant Level warning light and message came on. Opened the bonnet and found that the acuastic engine cover had rubbed through the coolant pipe leading from the radiator to the top of the engine.
There is a gauze sleave meant to protect the rubber pipe but this had obviously worked it's way around the bend and no longer protected the area it should have.
Fortunately I keep water, duck-tape and cable ties in the car and was able to affect a temporary fix and limp home. Only then to find the local main dealers don't keep this pipe in stock
Note to self, check remaining pipes/hoses for rubbing when fitting new one tomorrow.
Last edited by MrH on 17th Jan 2015 3:12 am. Edited 1 time in total
16th Jan 2015 11:18 pm
CUCO
Member Since: 27 May 2011
Location: Spain & Oleee!!!
Posts: 609
Very common fault.
Mine was rubbing from new, i turned the pipe helped by pliers to avoid contact.
Check the small vacuum tubes that runs just below the radiator pipe, they was rubbing on mine too. I dremel a bit of the cover to make room for them
17th Jan 2015 12:02 am
STARK
Member Since: 16 Dec 2014
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 97
Cheers guys, another job for tomorrow!I am not in danger - I am the danger - I am the one who knocks
Fitted replacement hose in about 15mins this morning and this has plenty of clearance so looks like they've modified the hose, which explains why its an early model year issue, mine is MY2010 - that said, I wouldn't swap her, shes done 81k and only things which have put her off the road unexpectedly were this and a split turbo hose from new. I can't complain at that.
17th Jan 2015 5:47 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50944
Re: Check your Coolant Hoses!
MrH wrote:
Fortunately I keep duck-tape and cable ties in the car
Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: hants
Posts: 592
just been and looked at mine, badly worn. Got a trip to Alps in 3 weeks. Have you got a part number so I can order one up from TLO?
MY 2010 too - 107k
Is it easy to fit?
THanks
Georged4 HSE
18th Jan 2015 3:17 pm
stick
Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: hants
Posts: 592
forget the number, seems to be clearly written on the top, will give Yeovil a call in the morning.
The small pipes behind the hose are attached with a clip. - cable tie type I think. Do I need to get one of those too? On mine, these pipes are covered in oil and there is some on the radiator pip and cover - something more to worry about I think?d4 HSE
That's not the part number you can see. Part number is LR043326
Remove the backtop section of the fan cowling for easier access. Then I undid big the air hose leading to the boc infront of the butterfly valve house, then removed the front section of the butterfly housing by unbolting it bottom left corner visible once air hose if off, and pull out vertically the wire clip. The coolant hose connection is then clearly visible and accessible. As I said above, it took me all of 15 minutes to complete.
Bear in mind you're working on the coolant system, so do it when the engine is cold! You will loose some liquid, amount depends on how quick you are, so check level after the job is done and also after the engine has been run and cooled down again.
Also, because coolant leaking over the fan belt can make it squeaky, I'd recommend giving the area a good rinse with water before starting up, just to flush it and prevent the squeak as much as poss.
18th Jan 2015 7:15 pm
CUCO
Member Since: 27 May 2011
Location: Spain & Oleee!!!
Posts: 609
Check too the underside of the little vaccuum tubes that run over the engine, there are 3 (from memory). They run joint toghether from the rear to the front of the engine, over the central plenum and they are made of plastic material.
As they go rubbing with the fins of the plenum they wear too, making little scars that could lead to problems.
I remember me looking at all the tubes after I realised the rubbing of the coolant one and saw this wear too, in fact I saw four possible problems:
-Coolant tube upper radiator one to engine.(rubbing with engine cover, the one you changed)
-A leg of a clip of the coolant tubes to the HVAC was rubbing into another (left side of the engine white letters on them, conected to aluminium tubes). Repositioned (turned) and a bit of bend on the offending alu tube and all ok.
-Single soft vacuum tube at the right side of the fan cowl.(rubbing with engine cover, dremel to make room)
-This 3 hard plastic tubes over the engine (under the cover)
. I make a pad of leather (was the first thing i had by hand in this moment) to make a cushion for their. ( more than 60.000 miles....the leather is still there ).
Mine was too one of the first D4. So common issues I guess.
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