Is this a coolant hose leak or something else? see pics

[onilleymcknown]

Need some help everybody! I'm doing an oil change, but while I was under there, on the passenger side, I noticed a little hose with a small leak. It's only a pin prick, and it doesn't leak when the engine is running, but there is a clear, odourless water coming from it if I squeeze the hose.

Does anybody know what this is, and how I could do a temporary repair? Its the one just below the oil reservoir with the little metal clamp. (See pics) The second picture shows the other end of this hose, where it is capped off. Please describe any repair procedure that might work.

I have a flight to catch back to Canada in the morning and there's a 2 hour drive down to Dublin airport from Belfast ahead of me. Don't want any surprises.

Hopin' someone might give me some advice before I'm finished the oil change.

Thank you, everyone!

[lizard]

Thats the bleed hose I think. They do tend to wear so I have been told, because the retaining clip breaks. Check it thoughly.

[onilleymcknown]

Thats the bleed hose I think. They do tend to wear so I have been told, because the retaining clip breaks. Check it thoughly.

If I disconnect it, and cut off the damaged bit, and then reconnect it, will that fix it? Or will that de-pressurise the whole system and leave me looking like I'm sitting in puddle of wee!

[haydn callow]

That is the coolant bleed pipe....do not attempt to bodge repair it.....get it wrong and it could cost you your engine.. Gert a new pipe fitted and bleed the engine properly.....if you are not happy to do this find a BONGO garage.. You may have sucked air in by now and it must be done....don't drive it untill it is sorted.

[haydn callow]

There is a very good train service from Belfast to Dublin..Don't risk that sort of journey...You may not even get half way...then what??

[M 80NGD]

That is the coolant bleed pipe....do not attempt to bodge repair it.....get it wrong and it could cost you your engine.. Gert a new pipe fitted and bleed the engine properly.....if you are not happy to do this find a BONGO garage.. You may have sucked air in by now and it must be done....don't drive it untill it is sorted.

I must be one of the REALLY lucky Bongo owners!! I found my bleed pipe was rubbing on the bodywork and was nearly worn through to the point of leaking!! I went to a local garage,picked up a length of petrol pipe to replace it. I took off the expansion tank cap,took off the old pipe(with very little leakage!) replaced it with the new pipe and new jubilee clips,topped up the coolant level,and it's been spot on since. Like I say,must have been lucky!!

[Peg leg Pete]

I replaced my damaged bleed pipe without bleeding the system, depends how much coolant you have lost, but err on the side of caution and bleed just to be sure

[haydn callow]

Agreed ... but it is possible air hasn been sucked in whilst cooling.......wouldn't risk it untill the job is properly done....may get away with it but we know the risks.

[onilleymcknown]

Thanks very much guys for the feedback. Just didn't know what it is or does.

Ok, so this is potentially quite serious. Thing is, it's not actually leaking unless I squeeze the pipe. It literally is what I would call a 'self sealing pin prick'.

I haven't time to arrange a train now and I don't really want to travel that way either. I'm gonna risk it.

I have my break down cover sorted if it gets really bad and a piece of gaffer tape around it will hold it temporarily until I see my mechanic. Then we'll get it done properly.

[Peg leg Pete]

If you have a pinprick, it will leak under pressure Gaffer tape may be a short term fix, check level of coolant when cold and keep a ear open for rumbling sound and eye on temp guage- good luck

[M 80NGD]

Have a good journey,just check your coolant level regularly,you'll be alright,good luck

[Simon Jones]

Although coolant leaking out is a bad thing, allowing air to get sucked in is potentially worse. Once the air heats up & expands, the pressure can build up & then force the coolant out the expansion tank. Personally, I would not use it until the pipe has been replaced & the system bled properly. But then, you might as well flush the system out & re-fill with fresh coolant at the same time. Then it's not something you need to do again for another couple of years.

[The Great Pretender]

Sorry guys n girls there is some well intentioned misinformation here that has to be addressed.
Cutting out the problem part of the bleed pipe would suffice as a tempory repair with information on bleeding the system.
As coolant leaks go one at the top of the system is the least problematical.

Air cannot get sucked into the system as it is on the positive side of the pump when the pinhole is at the highest part of the engine, once the coolant level drops below the leak it still curculates. As the system is at atmospheric it will boil at 100c .

[Simon Jones]

Air cannot get sucked into the system as it is on the positive side of the pump when the pinhole is at the highest part of the engine, once the coolant level drops below the leak it still curculates. As the system is at atmospheric it will boil at 100c .

Well it happened to me. It was when it cooled down so the positive pressure became a slight vacuum & air was drawn in through a cut in the bleed pipe.

Cutting the damaged section out of the pipe would indeed be a perfectly acceptable repair as long as the rest of the pipe is sound.

[Dabs]

If the bleed hose has gone have a check at the one on the other side that goes over the starter motor to the rear heater matrix,I reckon they go up near the engine block where its hottest.I replaced this one very shortly after the bleed hose last year!

Coolant alarm fitted or not it pays to check your hoses regularly

Dabs