Major coolant loss on 190

Robti · 25th November 2018, 10:48

Hi started car up and let it idle while I scraped the ice off sat in it and reved it to 2000 ish to get it heated up quickly and around the 90/91 degree mark heard a noise from engine and a massive amount of steam billowing out, so engine off immediately and pool of coolant appearing under car. After a few seconds it appears that the wettest area is under or around the alternator.
So any ideas on what to check or how to proceed?
Thanks

Robti · 25th November 2018, 11:06

So 20 minutes to let it cool down a bit and fresh coolant comes out as quick as it goes in, shining a torch from just behind the alternator I see it running out just above and a couple of inches above the drive shaft although that’s not to say it’s not somewhere else and just coming out here

Yorkshire GOC · 25th November 2018, 11:32

Water pump - when it fails completely it spews out coolant

On my car it is behind the alternator not sure on the 190 though.

Robti · 25th November 2018, 12:53

Thanks only renewed this year ,what would be the best way to gain access for a look wheel off or undertray off

SD1too · 25th November 2018, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robti

... what would be the best way to gain access for a look wheel off or undertray off

Hi Robert,

Unfortunately on the KV6 to access the water pump you need to follow the procedure for renewing the timing belts.

You could peep into the 'V' to see if it's flooded because there's an escape route for liquid in the front RH corner and that will deposit coolant in more or less the area you describe.

By the way, your engine will reach operating temperature fastest if you scrape the frost off your windows first, then start the engine and drive off straight away. This is the method recommended in owner's handbooks. Letting the engine idle in the drive lengthens the warm-up time and also results in more engine wear.

Simon

Lord of Hog · 26th November 2018, 08:16

This may sound obvious, but never assume that the point where the water is dripping from the bottom is anywhere near where it's originating from at the top.

Robti · 28th November 2018, 09:43

Update it’s from the V, one of the elbows has blown so can I ask if this is common or have I an underlying problem, car has been running fine with no leaks https://imgur.com/gallery/md22qlo
https://flic.kr/p/2c7wgRL

SD1too · 28th November 2018, 10:26

Thanks for the photos Robert. I notice that the curved pipe seems to have suffered a sheared mounting tang. Has your car ever had any keyhole surgery in this area?

To answer your question directly no, a catastrophic failure like that is not common. Leaks are normally through flattened 'O' ring seals but this doesn't affect all cars and is the subject of much contentious debate.

Simon

Robti · 28th November 2018, 10:29

Hi Simon thanks had the belts stat and pump done around 8 months back so assume that it was done with manifold off

SD1too · 28th November 2018, 10:36

PM sent.

Simon

25th November 2018, 10:48	#1
Robti Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190+,Rover 800 vitesse coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hamilton Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 616 Thanked 228 Times in 210 Posts	Major coolant loss on 190 Hi started car up and let it idle while I scraped the ice off sat in it and reved it to 2000 ish to get it heated up quickly and around the 90/91 degree mark heard a noise from engine and a massive amount of steam billowing out, so engine off immediately and pool of coolant appearing under car. After a few seconds it appears that the wettest area is under or around the alternator. So any ideas on what to check or how to proceed? Thanks __________________ Robert

25th November 2018, 11:06	#2
Robti Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190+,Rover 800 vitesse coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hamilton Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 616 Thanked 228 Times in 210 Posts	So 20 minutes to let it cool down a bit and fresh coolant comes out as quick as it goes in, shining a torch from just behind the alternator I see it running out just above and a couple of inches above the drive shaft although that’s not to say it’s not somewhere else and just coming out here __________________ Robert

25th November 2018, 11:32	#3
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,063 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Water pump - when it fails completely it spews out coolant On my car it is behind the alternator not sure on the 190 though. __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

25th November 2018, 12:53	#4
Robti Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190+,Rover 800 vitesse coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hamilton Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 616 Thanked 228 Times in 210 Posts	Thanks only renewed this year ,what would be the best way to gain access for a look wheel off or undertray off __________________ Robert

26th November 2018, 08:16	#6
Lord of Hog Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 in Wedgwood Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Felbridge, East Grinstead Posts: 982 Thanks: 250 Thanked 294 Times in 206 Posts	This may sound obvious, but never assume that the point where the water is dripping from the bottom is anywhere near where it's originating from at the top. __________________ Conformity is not morality. Consensus is not truth.

28th November 2018, 09:43	#7
Robti Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190+,Rover 800 vitesse coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hamilton Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 616 Thanked 228 Times in 210 Posts	Update it’s from the V, one of the elbows has blown so can I ask if this is common or have I an underlying problem, car has been running fine with no leaks https://imgur.com/gallery/md22qlo https://flic.kr/p/2c7wgRL __________________ Robert Last edited by Robti; 28th November 2018 at 09:45..

28th November 2018, 10:26	#8
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,344 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Thanks for the photos Robert. I notice that the curved pipe seems to have suffered a sheared mounting tang. Has your car ever had any keyhole surgery in this area? To answer your question directly no, a catastrophic failure like that is not common. Leaks are normally through flattened 'O' ring seals but this doesn't affect all cars and is the subject of much contentious debate. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

28th November 2018, 10:29	#9
Robti Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190+,Rover 800 vitesse coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hamilton Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 616 Thanked 228 Times in 210 Posts	Hi Simon thanks had the belts stat and pump done around 8 months back so assume that it was done with manifold off __________________ Robert

28th November 2018, 10:36	#10
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,344 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	PM sent. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.