Hey everyone,

My trusty 02 magna has a bit of a problem.

For the past week or so, I noticed the thermo fans kicking in a bit more regularly then normal, but the temperature gauge stayed dead in the middle so I didn't think much of it. I though I probably just hadn't noticed them that much.

Then finally two nights ago, I heard the fans working pretty hard, even though it was pretty cool outside, and comparatively little load on the engine (very few traffic lights, mostly 80kph). As I neared my estate the gauge went up to around halfway between normal and the top by the time I got home. I had a bit of a look under the car, and there was a puddle forming.

The next day I put more coolant in, and it came out straight away (wasn't holding it)

After a bit of looking, I've been able to find the source of the leak, but it's reasonably deep within the engine, and there is a hole in the metal pipe, about 1mm wide, not one of the joins.

Here's a couple videos of it: (the camera found it a bit tough getting focus, so apologies)

With the engine off, the coolant leaks pretty fast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUcinxnQMnM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_dcVNZe38
^I'm poking it a bit with a long paperclip to see where its coming from a bit easier.

With the engine on, the flow is less, but is still leaking non the less:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTBlSGYMl9k

Other info:
Cooling system was flushed about 9 months ago
Engine has 102,000 kms on it.

So my questions are
- What do you think the cause was? If it was just pressure I'm sure the hose or a join would have been the weakest point?

- What's the part that needs replacing?

- And how much would I be up for to get a mechanic to fix?

Thanks guys :)

After a bit of looking, I've been able to find the source of the leak, but it's reasonably deep within the engine, and there is a hole in the metal pipe, about 1mm wide, not one of the joins.
So my questions are
- What's the part that needs replacing?
- And how much would I be up for to get a mechanic to fix?[/B]


Hole in the metal pipe = corrosion, and it means it needs to be replaced. The pipe runs the full length of the engine, from the thermostat area to the back of the water pump.
Caused by coolant rot possibly, what coolant has it been using? (Please don't say "tap water". lol)

Without pulling a few bits off the top of the engine to get a really good look, your questions are unanswerable currently. It will need the pipe, seal for the back of the water pump and any hoses that look poor. Consult a local mechanic, or DIY.

Concur with Max. Will need a seal for each end of the water pipe (Ex Mitsubishi - total =2), water manifold gaskets to cylinder head x 2 ex Mitsubishi. A metal pipe in good condition might be sourced from a self serve pickapart wrecker. Where abouts in VIC are you?

You may want to pressure test the system before you jump in ripping it apart, could be from a couple of areas

Yes, coolant system pressure test is the next logical step.

Pity you are in Victoria.

My coolant pressure test kit arrived today by courier. Your vehicle would have been a good candidate on which to test it.

Thanks for all the replies guys, it's been very helpful


Hole in the metal pipe = corrosion, and it means it needs to be replaced. The pipe runs the full length of the engine, from the thermostat area to the back of the water pump.
Caused by coolant rot possibly, what coolant has it been using? (Please don't say "tap water". lol)

Without pulling a few bits off the top of the engine to get a really good look, your questions are unanswerable currently. It will need the pipe, seal for the back of the water pump and any hoses that look poor. Consult a local mechanic, or DIY.

Yeah that would seem like the logical cause, thanks. I just hope that doesn't mean that the whole cooling system needs replacing though!
And definitely no water! Not sure of the brand of the coolant, but it's always been that toxic green colour while I've owned it.




Concur with Max. Will need a seal for each end of the water pipe (Ex Mitsubishi - total =2), water manifold gaskets to cylinder head x 2 ex Mitsubishi. A metal pipe in good condition might be sourced from a self serve pickapart wrecker. Where abouts in VIC are you?

Yeah that sounds like it would be quite a big job then, with a lot of new parts. I'm down in South-Eastern subburbs of Victoria, but there is a Jollys u'pull'it not too far that I could possibly get some more parts from. Would a second hand part be fine to use do you think?



Yes, coolant system pressure test is the next logical step.

Pity you are in Victoria.

My coolant pressure test kit arrived today by courier. Your vehicle would have been a good candidate on which to test it.

Thanks Mal, that's a great suggestion, and would definitely get that done. And Thanks Madasacutsnake, wish I could make use of it! :)

Replace that pipe with the hole in it first though, otherwise a pressure test will tell you very little you didn't already know. It's not going to hold any pressure with that hole in there! lol

Go to the u-pull it and rip into one of the third gen engines, once you have that pipe off a wreck you can examine it for corrosion. Plus, you will have learnt how to replace the one on your car! (Then get the car pressure tested.)