Diesel fuel cooler leak

David Lawrence · 1st January 2015, 07:15

I have a small leak from my diesel cooling radiator at the rear of the car, but it is so small I can't see where it is coming from. all the hoses look ok, but the radiator seems covered with a fine oily mist pretty much all over it.

Can other members, who have had leaks give me any pointers?

Rev Jules · 1st January 2015, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Lawrence

I have a small leak from my diesel cooling radiator at the rear of the car, but it is so small I can't see where it is coming from. all the hoses look ok, but the radiator seems covered with a fine oily mist pretty much all over it.

Can other members, who have had leaks give me any pointers?

The hoses might seem okay but they can become porous over time
,and being under pressure can throw out a bit od Diesel.

Julien.

RogerHeinz57 · 1st January 2015, 07:37

Good morning, and Happy New Year!
Just to offer you the benefit of my experience on this.
My 75 used to discharge diesel at an unknown rate from this area, and was obvious when the car was parked up as it would leave spots of diesel behind the o/s rear wheel area, the cooling fins and localised area was also covered in darkened oily traces which looked really bad as the road dirt would stick to it.
How did I trace the leak? I parked the car on a kerb stone, left it running for a short time on idle, switched off and clambered underneath and gently moved the various hoses around. The hose that was leaking was the one that ran diagonally from the top left down to the connector on the barrel shaped thingy.
I replaced this with a piece of fuel hose and new clips. Be aware that when the hose is removed, a large quantity of fuel escapes, so worth having an old basin or similar at the ready. I do have in my stock a piece of hose and clips should you find this the be the culpret! After fitting this pipe, I pulsed the ignition key to position 2 a few times to pressure the system, and then started, leak free!
Hope this helps you, and should you want this hose to cut to length, just PM me !
Regards John H.

David Lawrence · 1st January 2015, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

Good morning, and Happy New Year!
Just to offer you the benefit of my experience on this.
My 75 used to discharge diesel at an unknown rate from this area, and was obvious when the car was parked up as it would leave spots of diesel behind the o/s rear wheel area, the cooling fins and localised area was also covered in darkened oily traces which looked really bad as the road dirt would stick to it.
How did I trace the leak? I parked the car on a kerb stone, left it running for a short time on idle, switched off and clambered underneath and gently moved the various hoses around. The hose that was leaking was the one that ran diagonally from the top left down to the connector on the barrel shaped thingy.
I replaced this with a piece of fuel hose and new clips. Be aware that when the hose is removed, a large quantity of fuel escapes, so worth having an old basin or similar at the ready. I do have in my stock a piece of hose and clips should you find this the be the culpret! After fitting this pipe, I pulsed the ignition key to position 2 a few times to pressure the system, and then started, leak free!
Hope this helps you, and should you want this hose to cut to length, just PM me !
Regards John H.

Thanks for the tips chaps, sound exactly like mine. I'll take a better look at this tomorrow and dig out my clip box. I did have a leaky hose at the UBP last year, so i suppose i should expect a few more to creep in.

Billy1mate · 1st January 2015, 11:46

David, similarly mine had a leak so I sprayed it with 'Muc-off' then hosed it down as the cooler became a dirt magnet. My leak was from the hose, top right, looking forward. I unbolted to cooler assembly from under the car as it made it easier to work on, removed the split hose, cut the split off & refitted it and it's been fine since.

David Lawrence · 4th January 2015, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy1mate

David, similarly mine had a leak so I sprayed it with 'Muc-off' then hosed it down as the cooler became a dirt magnet. My leak was from the hose, top right, looking forward. I unbolted to cooler assembly from under the car as it made it easier to work on, removed the split hose, cut the split off & refitted it and it's been fine since.

Turns out it is not the radiator, it is this thing dripping on to it.

image.jpg

It appears to have a screw through it at the bottom which has rusted away and presumably holds the two halves together. Does anyone have a picture of how this device goes together? Im hoping a new nut and bolt through where the rusty one is will resolve my leak.

DMGRS · 4th January 2015, 16:01

As far as I'm aware that's the thermostat which controls the flow of fuel from the cooler - I could be wrong though.
All the ones I've seen have been in quite poor condition due to corrosion.

Mike Noc · 4th January 2015, 16:03

Yep it is the thermostat. Mine developed a leak there too.

David Lawrence · 4th January 2015, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

Yep it is the thermostat. Mine developed a leak there too.

Thanks Mike and Matt, do you know if it is repairable with a new nut and bolt? Or does it require a new thermostat. Mine is so rusty that i cant be sure what the metal actually was before rusting away and ive not been able to find a photo of one that is t rusty as well.

Mike Noc · 4th January 2015, 17:54

I was lucky David as I had a spare available from the scrapper, so fitted the complete cooler assembly as it was in better overall condition than the original.

Kept the original and it is in the garage - I was going to refurbish it as a spare, but haven't got round to it yet.

1st January 2015, 07:15	#1
David Lawrence This is my second home Rover 75 CDT-2001 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales Posts: 3,606 Thanks: 195 Thanked 606 Times in 501 Posts	Diesel fuel cooler leak I have a small leak from my diesel cooling radiator at the rear of the car, but it is so small I can't see where it is coming from. all the hoses look ok, but the radiator seems covered with a fine oily mist pretty much all over it. Can other members, who have had leaks give me any pointers?

1st January 2015, 07:37	#3
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	Diesel leak. Good morning, and Happy New Year! Just to offer you the benefit of my experience on this. My 75 used to discharge diesel at an unknown rate from this area, and was obvious when the car was parked up as it would leave spots of diesel behind the o/s rear wheel area, the cooling fins and localised area was also covered in darkened oily traces which looked really bad as the road dirt would stick to it. How did I trace the leak? I parked the car on a kerb stone, left it running for a short time on idle, switched off and clambered underneath and gently moved the various hoses around. The hose that was leaking was the one that ran diagonally from the top left down to the connector on the barrel shaped thingy. I replaced this with a piece of fuel hose and new clips. Be aware that when the hose is removed, a large quantity of fuel escapes, so worth having an old basin or similar at the ready. I do have in my stock a piece of hose and clips should you find this the be the culpret! After fitting this pipe, I pulsed the ignition key to position 2 a few times to pressure the system, and then started, leak free! Hope this helps you, and should you want this hose to cut to length, just PM me ! Regards John H. Last edited by RogerHeinz57; 1st January 2015 at 07:40.. Reason: My typing is terrible today and spelling worse lol.

4th January 2015, 16:01	#7
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	As far as I'm aware that's the thermostat which controls the flow of fuel from the cooler - I could be wrong though. All the ones I've seen have been in quite poor condition due to corrosion. __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

1st January 2015, 11:46	#5
Billy1mate Posted a thing or two 120d M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sunny Weymouth Posts: 1,815 Thanks: 153 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts	David, similarly mine had a leak so I sprayed it with 'Muc-off' then hosed it down as the cooler became a dirt magnet. My leak was from the hose, top right, looking forward. I unbolted to cooler assembly from under the car as it made it easier to work on, removed the split hose, cut the split off & refitted it and it's been fine since.

4th January 2015, 16:03	#8
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,551 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Yep it is the thermostat. Mine developed a leak there too.

4th January 2015, 17:54	#10
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,551 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	I was lucky David as I had a spare available from the scrapper, so fitted the complete cooler assembly as it was in better overall condition than the original. Kept the original and it is in the garage - I was going to refurbish it as a spare, but haven't got round to it yet.