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

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

Water pump - when it fails completely it spews out coolant :shrug: On my car it is behind the alternator not sure on the 190 though.

Thanks only renewed this year ,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. :o 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

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.

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

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

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

PM sent.

Simon