Hello first thanks for reading and helping if you can.

I have a massive water leak on my 96 te 3.0ltr altera.

I'm putting about 3 Lyra of water in it everytime I drive it for more then 30 mins.

It heats up almost to the top of the heater gauge when I'm driving around but when I idle for a minute like at lights or something it drops back down to half way.

I noticed a lot of water coming out from under the big metal thing over the back rocker cover (sorry don't know what it's called) so it like in between that and the rocker cover.

Just wondering if anyone could help me narrow it down to what it is that could be leaking.

Tomorrow I'm going to pull some of it apart to see what I find. If someone could help me look in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

You talking about the big silver bit with six tubes on it......pic here::
http://imganuncios.mitula.net/1996_mitsubishi_magna_executive_car_in_labrador_93 989112848820344.jpg

A better description will help. Vee

Yeah that's the one thank you. You wouldn't happen to know what it's called?

Any questions to try and help I will do my best to answer.

I'm not bad with tools and don't have the money to pay someone $500 to fix it.

Thats the inlet plenum (inlet manifold) and under that there is a water pipe that feeds the back of the waterpump and an "o" ring where it goes into the waterpump that could be leaking badly. Have you had any work done on it lately?? Could also be a gasket on the inlet thats leaking. Maybe some welch plugs (freeze plugs) under there as well. Cannot remember from memory the last time i took one to pieces. Vee

If your losing that much water your crazy to be driving it. If you cook the motor it will cost you a lot more than $500.
That would be a badly split hose to be losing that much coolant, should be easy to see. If you don't know what a manifold is, you might be better off leaving it to a mechanic, the cooling system is too important.

Really shouldn't cost more than $150 even if he has to take manifold off.
Edit: Unless it's the water pump :/

water pump seal more than likely. it could be those o rings but i think its more likley massive water pump seal failure

Think there is a small water hose on the end of that pipe before it goes into the back of the waterpump or i'm thinking of an earlier model but a close inspection there you should be able to see. Vee

Thanks vee.
Yeah I have recently installed a lpg system on to it.

Iv had most of the motor apart befor just couldn't remember the name of the damn thing lol.
Hoping it's just a burst hose or O ring and not the water pump. Thanks for your help guys. I'll let ya know what I find tomorrow when I get it apart.

yeah if you moved that pipe or removed the inlet you should have used new gaskets and "O" rings.
If you have had it apart you should be able to ascertain where its leaking from and then go from there. Goodluck Vee

I'm wondering if the lpg system coolant hoses have a leak?

Did you have a mixer or injected lpg system fitted? If you don't know what that is, then how much did you pay?

If you've got a mixer, then look for a cylindrical shaped lpg vapourizer that looks like this - http://www.poliauto.net/images/p003_1_02.png

From this device, there should be a variety of hoses. One of them is the feed of lpg to the mixer on the intake tubing, but anouther one or two hoses should be for the coolant. See if those hoses go under the inlet plenum and check that they aren't leaking.

I'm wondering if the lpg system coolant hoses have a leak?

Did you have a mixer or injected lpg system fitted? If you don't know what that is, then how much did you pay?

If you've got a mixer, then look for a cylindrical shaped lpg vapourizer that looks like this - http://www.poliauto.net/images/p003_1_02.png

From this device, there should be a variety of hoses. One of them is the feed of lpg to the mixer on the intake tubing, but anouther one or two hoses should be for the coolant. See if those hoses go under the inlet plenum and check that they aren't leaking.

LPG system is mixer. I didn't pay for it got it out of a different te and just installed it my self with a new tank just need to get it certed and I'll be good with that.

A couple weeks ago I went over all the lpg hoses as it wasn't running smooth on gas so I know there right.
I'm thinking I may of crossed to hoses the wrong way gonna look at that tomorrow as well.

I wasn't aware you could install a LPG system as a back yarder.

If you've been diluting it lately because of the leak, it might be worth putting a strong mix of cheap coolant (green) in there and bring it up to operating temp and wait for it to start dripping, this way u should be able to locate where it's coming from easier when u strip it down. You can block up the radiator at the front with a piece of cardboard or similar to speed up the process (or disconnect/lock the fan), just keep an eye on the gauge.

Let us know what u find.

Legally your not allowed to. But if you find the right person to cert it they will just make sure it's right and say they did it. Very touchy subject with some workshops so just be weary of who you talk to about it.

Plus it is very much a sh!t of a job to do. Took me and dad 3 days just to install it then 2 days to work out all the tweaks to it. You have to pull the dash right out to get to all the wires you need. So really if you have any bad vibes about wiring I wouldn't try it.

You must have a few contacts, because I tried about 10 installers and none of them would certify my work, despite having done a conversion in the past and a few mates who've done a few many years ago. They wouldn't even allow me to provide 2nd hand parts.

I got lucky and found someone willing to do the conversion for the price of the grant and ended up with a really good closed sprintgas lpg system, which is good as I would've only been able to install an open lpg system anyway.

Good luck getting it certified. I gave up trying.

So to confirm the hoses you used to feed coolant to vapourizer aren't leaking at all? The installers for my car run these under my inlet plenum to hook into the upper coolant lines on the right side of the engine.

Unless they have craped it over the last week nah there not. But there is a chance they have. I'll look tomorrow.

I went to about 4 places 3 said they would do it for about $8-900 not really saving much lol. Then found some one who will do it for about $350 if I got a new tank in it. Looked on eBay found a brand new tank for $50 gonna take to him to get certed in a few weeks. His located in werribee.

From what you describe sounds like the metal pipe under the inlet manifold is causing your issue