Elusive leak

[mike020150]

This spring, I replaced all the water hoses on my V12 coupe. It's a horrible task but one I do every few years to ensure reliability on the road since many of the hoses would be totally inaccessible to change during a roadside breakdown. After an initial running and a round of tightening to cure the odd leak here and there, I thought all was well. However, each time I returned to the car in its garage, I found a small pool of antifreeze beneath the engine and not always in the same location. Puzzled, I tightened a few more hose clips and checked around the water pump and other suspects, all to no avail. No leaks were apparent whilst I was under the car with the engine running. The antifreeze only appeared after periods of inactivity. Finally, I spotted the culprit! The one hose which had definitely leaked on first start-up is immediately above a drilled hole in the top of the front subframe. Water had entered the subframe and was slowly finding its way out via different areas of its seams, presumably dependent upon how it had moved around when the car was being driven. The lesson it has taught me is to be more careful in future where I spill coolant. It could save me a lot of head scratching and laying on cold concrete. Even after 41 years' ownership, my V12 can still surprise me with new problems! Mike.

[andypryce]

Hi Mike, I am glad even the experts in the club sometimes get caught out! Always nice when you trace these things though!

[mike020150]

Every day's a school day! Mike.