AU3 Wagon loosing fluid

ORSM-8 · 27-02-2008, 05:45 PM

Hi Guys and gals, I have a problem with the wifes AU wagon its been loosing water . I found leaks around top hose replaced that then the gasket around the thermostat started leaking replaced that then the radiator started to leak at one end, i replaced that replaced and i also replaced the other radiator hose as well. Then its starts to leak some where from underneath . Finally after placing the car on ramps and having a good look from underneath i notice the rear welsh plug on the passenger side was leaking and rusty. Gee this car has only done 105,000klms. So Has anybody on here had this happen to them and if so can you tell whats involved in getting to the welsh plug. Can you tell me what it will cost . Ive checked with Bayfords and they want $55 for a full set of welsh plugs and $39 for a manifold gasket. Anyhelp would be appreciated. Tony

ORSM-8 · 01-03-2008, 10:36 AM

does anubody else had this experience with there Au

sly · 01-03-2008, 10:54 AM

My wife's AU3 Futura wagon did a passenger-side Welsh plug at just over 90,000km. Too crowded for me to have a go at so I took it to a mechanic who said he'd need to remove the intake manifold to get to it. I told him to do all of them on that side. The plugs cost around $3 each, the job was between $400 and $500 IIRC.

That was less than 6 months ago. Now it's bleeding green again. I'm just on my way to check it out, I looked at it late yesterday but too dark. It's just had SVI LPG put on and my first thought was the water hoses to the regulator leaking around the clamps as they bed in, but they're all good. I suspect either the radiator core or the water pump.

The conventional wisdom is that the green coolant in AU2&3 is better than the red stuff used in AU1, but my AU1's radiator lasted to 250,000km and I still have the original welsh plugs at 330,000km. It had a water pump replaced under warranty and another at 250,000 as a precautionary measure. I had to have the front cover off the engine for a major job so I had water pump & harmonic balancer replaced while access was easy.

**Stav** · 01-03-2008, 11:08 AM

Mate I have never done the welsh plugs. I do believe they need to be pulled out and some special glue used to put them back in once they're tapped into place.

sly · 01-03-2008, 11:24 AM

No special glue AFAIK. The Gregory's manual says Permatex #3, just a gasket sealer to plug any microholes around the mating surface. You could use Stag, or Rough Rider Back Door Lube or...

sly · 01-03-2008, 03:04 PM

Water pump, right on cue, 100,200km. I'm changing the 3 radiator hoses while I'm at it as the car is now 6 years old.

StealthAu · 01-03-2008, 03:18 PM

Speaking of leaks, I have a minor one. On the Therm housing there is a metal pipe that goes into the bottom of it, it is leaking slightly from there. Haven't had much of a look yet, but would it just be a ne o-ring required?

ORSM-8 · 01-03-2008, 08:56 PM

Thanks Guys for all the info Im at this moment pulling the inlet off it i thought i would just pop in here for a moment and see if anyone had responded . Once again thanks i will let you all know how i went. Cheers Tony

GK · 01-03-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stockoau

Speaking of leaks, I have a minor one. On the Therm housing there is a metal pipe that goes into the bottom of it, it is leaking slightly from there. Haven't had much of a look yet, but would it just be a ne o-ring required?

Yep an O-ring.

I've had this same leak on both my AUs, dripping coolant onto the compressor (I think) below.

My good mate Dave has fixed them both. Just an O-ring was needed and some goop of course, for good measure.

GK

sly · 01-03-2008, 10:23 PM

Yeah, i had that one too on the S1... not yet on the S3, but the day will come LOL!

StealthAu · 01-03-2008, 10:27 PM

Cool, I assumed it would be, but just haven't gotten around to sorting it yet as it isn't leaking enough to be a major consern

Chamelion · 02-03-2008, 04:36 AM

Think mine is starting to leak, albeit very very slowly. A couple of bits of dried coolant on top of the compressor.

ORSM-8 · 02-03-2008, 02:42 PM

I tell you folks what a pain to remove the inlet manifold so i can get at the front and rear welsh plugs. Gee there is a huge wiring loom entwined through out the manifold. Buggar what a job still havent finished it yet .Does anybody on here have experience pulling the inlet manifold out.??? Thanks in advance. Tony

sly · 03-03-2008, 02:02 PM

A 10mm ratchet spanner makes the job of removing & replacing the manifold bolts a lot easier. I haven't fully removed a manifold though - I just had to undo it to replace the head, so it was left supported by the posts. Sorry the post is so late, I was in Sydney yesterday & crook today... just got out of bed

:

ORSM-8 · 03-03-2008, 03:47 PM

thanks man for that. Tony

sly · 03-03-2008, 05:41 PM

No worries. Great name BTW. Tony.

ORSM-8 · 10-03-2008, 12:01 AM

All fixed . Got around to finishing the car of yesterday. No leaks car is running perfect. Buggar of a job though. Thanks everone for your advice. Wife is happy to.

redknob · 07-11-2010, 07:47 PM

i have an au 2 dedicated gas xls ute and every now and then it loses fluid then it will be alright for months I thought it was the heater tap but I had it checked and they told me it was fine its just done it again and im starting to suspect the heater radiater has anybody else had this problem

GK · 07-11-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redknob

i have an au 2 dedicated gas xls ute and every now and then it loses fluid then it will be alright for months I thought it was the heater tap but I had it checked and they told me it was fine its just done it again and im starting to suspect the heater radiater has anybody else had this problem

Can you take us a pic?

GK