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[Fu Manchu]

Hi,
Is it possible for the coolant to leak where the filler neck joins the motor, I've been able to have a quick look between rain showers and I think it might be coming from around that area and going along the top of the engine between the rocker covers towards the back and onto where the thermostat is, there's also coolant on the front of the engine above the the water pump, is the filler neck held on with bolts and a gasket ?,
Any advice would be very much appreciated,
Thankyou

Correct. Theres an o-ring that seals it. It gets squashed and hard. Starts leaking. Runs along the edge of the head under the intake and then out the back of the motor.

This is where it can get hard picking between a leaf g thermostat housing or a leaking filler pipe/housing.

Thankfully removing the intake plenum takes minutes and the filler easily inspected.

@krusing Has had issues where the pipes connect to the thermostat housing leak, which is right at the spot the coolant can dribble onto as well.

 

[Stevenj]

Correct. Theres an o-ring that seals it. It gets squashed and hard. Starts leaking. Runs along the edge of the head under the intake and then out the back of the motor.

This is where it can get hard picking between a leaf g thermostat housing or a leaking filler pipe/housing.

Thankfully removing the intake plenum takes minutes and the filler easily inspected.

@krusing Has had issues where the pipes connect to the thermostat housing leak, which is right at the spot the coolant can dribble onto as well.

I can't thank you enough for all your help, if that is the problem is it an easy fix and would I need anything more than a socket set to fix it ? I'm certainly no mechanic but can do basic repairs,
Again,, thankyou,,

 

[Fu Manchu]

It’s all here:
https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/help.304488/post-3440205

 

[krusing]

For jobs with hard to get to places,
“Especially for VZ Thermostat housings “
I use a Stanley 1/4” (pictured) and Stanley 3/8” Socket set,
I also use the 1/4” swivel head ratchet (pictured) with the 3/8” socket set.

(ps: I have had the 3/8” swivel head ratchet for over 35 years, and it’s been a great “get me out of the shite” tool a number of times )

 

[Stevenj]

you're a legend, I can't thank you enough for your help,
Yous are all legends, I will get on it as soon as the rain buggers off,
( Great site, great people)

 

[krusing]

The other handy little tool is the 1/4” Swivel Head Ratchet (top one) with Extendable Handle (kincrome)

Some of the tools are not cheap,
But they get the job done, which takes the stress and frustration out of the job.

 

[Stevenj]

It’s all here:
https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/help.304488/post-3440205

One more question if you don't mind, is there a gasket where the plenum joins the motor, I just want to make sure I've got everything I need before I start pulling things apart,
Thankyou

 

[krusing]

When you remove the intake manifold,
There is a gasket between that and the Lower Intake Manifold, (the injectors sit and are mounted on the LIM) 2 bolts hold that down.
There is also a gasket between the lower intake and the block,
It’s always best to replace them,
But a good inspection of them and they appear to be ok,
They can be re-used to get you out of trouble.
They don’t normally fail, but I won’t say they never fail.
But reusing them is one’s onus.

There is 2 O-rings on the heater pipes that attach to the thermostat housing,
And the Thermostat housing has a metal gasket between the housing and the block,
I ditched that and made a proper gasket from gasket material that I had from another repair.

While you have it pulled down that far,
I would do the thermostat housing gasket,
But make sure you clean ALL the mating surfaces up,
(Use a small mirror to check the block at the back)
When assembling it, use gasket cement on both sides of the gasket,
And a thin film of gasket cement on the heater pipe o’rings.

(Because you won’t want to be pulling it down again just seal it again)

 

[Stevenj]

When you remove the intake manifold,
There is a gasket between that and the Lower Intake Manifold, (the injectors sit and are mounted on the LIM) 2 bolts hold that down.
There is also a gasket between the lower intake and the block,
It’s always best to replace them,
But a good inspection of them and they appear to be ok,
They can be re-used to get you out of trouble.
They don’t normally fail, but I won’t say they never fail.
But reusing them is one’s onus.

There is 2 o-rings on the heater pipes,
And the Thermostat housing has a metal gasket between the housing and the block,
I ditched that and made a proper gasket from gasket material that I had from another repair.

While you have it pulled down that far,
I would do the thermostat housing gasket,
But make sure you clean ALL the mating surfaces up,
(Use a small mirror to check the block at the back)
When assembling it, use gasket cement on both sides of the gasket,
And a thin film of gasket cement on the heater pipe o’rings.

(Because you won’t want to be pulling it down again just seal it again)

Thanks mate, I probably won't be able to get to it until Wednesday or Thursday but I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Forum sponsor @Revhigh sell the two gaskets required

I always use the metal gasket with silicone seal in favour of the older paper ones.

These are genuine by look.

Genuine Holden VZ VE V6 3.6l Alloytec Intake Manifold Gaskets Upper Lower LY7 LE | eBay

$Click here to see description.

www.ebay.com.au