Slight Cooling Issue

[ashbox]

had a bit of a problem thursday night with my sv6.

went for a bit of a drive and when i parked it me and a few mates noticed the car bubbling and coolant coming out form what appeared to be from behind the water pump pulley.

i didn't get any of the usual warning signs but at the same time i think i parked it before it got to that level.

we let the car cool and then filled it back up i drove it home keeping an eye on the temp.

got home and the car wasn't bubbling or majorly leaking anything, but one thing i have noticed is that it reaches its normal running temp alot quicker than it used to and i have had to top it up with another 1.5lt



just after any suggestions as to what it might possiby before i take it to holdens and get it fixed.

[vsl67]

Some water pumps have a bleed hole to let you know they are stuffed and its pretty much where you described it

[Rossbx]

The best way to check for leaks is to do a radiator pressure test. Just take the car to a radiator repair place or your local mechanic and have them do one. It only takes about ten minutes or so to do. Having said that though, if you have found water dripping down behind the WP Pully, it is more than likely as said by vsl67; your water pump is stuffed

[Exidor]

Just replaced my water pump
which I thought was leaking at the
weep hole. It was actually the pump gasket
sealant.

If you remove the pump pulley the
origin of the leak should be obvious.

[andyman]

aswell as the bush drain hole, there is a casting plug, think welsch plug,

mine leaked from that, but as you said, every so often, would have a good leak, then not leak again for a week or so

[boobotam]

very interesting, have you checked for the trail of coolant? is this a common problem in the alloytech engine?

[Corbs1234]

i've had my water pump replaced at 145000km...and the thermostat about 5000km after that.
around the 150,000km mark seems to be when things go wrong...now that i mention that..my clutch does seem to be giving up on me...

[PaulSV6]

i've had my water pump replaced at 145000km...and the thermostat about 5000km after that.
around the 150,000km mark seems to be when things go wrong...now that i mention that..my clutch does seem to be giving up on me...

Ive got some time before i reach that, mines not far off 62000k

[Torquative]

mine was at 150 000 as well, but it sprayed coolant everywhere where it hit the pulley.

I wasnt in the mood for playing around, I grabbed a new pump and chucked it in. I think it may have been from the bush on mine because it had play in it, but who knows. After installing the new one the issue went away

From what i found its a common problem.

Corbs yeh 150 000 is the point (mines there too), just normal for any car

[Danoz]

Yep, Did mine last week. 130 000Ks here. Easy job to replace. Took 45mins.

[jaisvz]

mine went at 110,000k's, also the coolant filler cap had shat its self and was loosing pressure

[ashbox]

unfortunately for me mines only done just under 90k and mums stato did her wp just after 95k.

will def look into the welsch plug(casting plug) saves me having to change out the wp, might get a new drive belt while its in getting repaired on friday.

[ashbox]

bit of an update

cars at holdens, the mech and i talked about the possible outcomes.

i mentioned the casting plug and he said it would be a first for them (the particular dealer), he metioned the outlet o'rings which i in turn said were done about 8 months ago and we also talked about the water pump.

hopefully its either the outlet o'rings or the wp cos they're either covered by parts warranty or extended dealer warranty so no cost to me.

will update this again when i get the car back tomorrow

[ashbox]

got the car back, apparently it was the radiator cap so alot better than the wp.

only question is was there a recall on the radiator caps for the vz's or not?

[the_trademarc]

got the car back, apparently it was the radiator cap so alot better than the wp.

only question is was there a recall on the radiator caps for the vz's or not?

I think there was, not sure, but mine went at 50k and 85k :S.
Both times, the guy at Holden said that was the biggest selling part for them for the VZ range cuz it's a piece of sh*t. The RACV agree too.
But there's nothing we can do about it, and the cap's like 20 bucks so its not big enough to kick up a fuss (I believe)