Hi there guys, im pretty sure whats wrong is a blown welsh plug and im not very happy being as it only just came back from the mechanics with a new head... but i digress. I'm after photo's if possible of the welsh plug locations on the 4G54 2.6lt astron motor, i have a leak that seems to be emanating from behind the harmonic balancing wheel (or somewhere in there) on the right hand side of the motor. Workshop diagrams would be ace if noone has one of these motors out of the car already to take some pictures ;)

Thanks.

PM me pls or leave a post here
Peace

no welsh plugs in that area - they are along the side of the engine. Get the mech who did the head to have a look.

If is on the timing cover end may be the timing cover gasket as it blanks off what would have been the water pump for a rwd model. These also are known to corrode in the timing cover area.

Could also be the end plug closest to that end of the motor, there are 2 ontop of the balance shaft casting, if one is leaking coolant may be running along this and then down

^^^^What he said.

Could just be corrosion on the timing cover - seen them rot through due to poor "coolant" (ie pure water) and leak. Could be defective head gasket as well. Clean it all, fill radiator, start it up, and start looking.

If is on the timing cover end may be the timing cover gasket as it blanks off what would have been the water pump for a rwd model. These also are known to corrode in the timing cover area.

Could also be the end plug closest to that end of the motor, there are 2 ontop of the balance shaft casting, if one is leaking coolant may be running along this and then down

Is the timing cover end the one closest to the passenger side of the motor? I thought the timing belt and water pump were on the drivers side end.. Lets put it this way when i start the motor it makes the belts ie power steering and alternator slip because the coolant is leaking onto them :headbange as such it is also splashing coolant all over the place even on the underside of the bonnet when it is closed.. it makes it a lil hard to see the leak with a bees dick of room in there too lol

Remove the belts to stop the spray! Run the engine, look for leak - must be a big one, shouldn't be hard to find. Get a torch in there, quite safe with the belts off, the only thing turning will be the crankshaft pulley. Feel any wet bits - if the water has just come out of the engine it will be warm. (assuming your engine has warmed up)
The water pump is on the driver's side of the engine, but there is water in the timing case as this was a left over from the days this engine ran rear wheel drive cars and the pump was on the timing case cover.

Remove the belts to stop the spray! Run the engine, look for leak - must be a big one, shouldn't be hard to find. Get a torch in there, quite safe with the belts off, the only thing turning will be the crankshaft pulley. Feel any wet bits - if the water has just come out of the engine it will be warm. (assuming your engine has warmed up)
The water pump is on the driver's side of the engine, but there is water in the timing case as this was a left over from the days this engine ran rear wheel drive cars and the pump was on the timing case cover.

Do you think it will be possible to remove the timing case with the engine still in but the belts off?
And anyone have a secondhand timing case that isn't cracked? LOL

Is the timing case cracked? Have you seen a crack, or are you guessing? If so, it will need to come off and get welded or replaced. It's not a common problem with these, maybe the headwork has something to do with it? Sump and head have to come off, to remove the case. Can be done with the engine in the car.