Inlet manifold leak

macmattom · Postby **macmattom** » 09 Nov 2010 12:34

Hi again. I have just refitted my new water pump, and put the inlet manifold back on. The water pump appears water tight at the moment, but as soon as I pour water into the thermostat it runs out of the head.

The water runs out from directly below the forward-most of the 6 bolts holding the manifold to the head, the one located forward of the front inlet tube but rear of the water pipe. The best option for me would be if you can buy thinner inlet manifold gaskets (mine is about 1 mm or 40 thou (by eye!)) or a thicker O ring seal. Does anybody know if this is the case, or might it be more sinister. Worst case for me would be a warped head (but I haven't heard of them warping there before) or a warped/dirstorted manifold.

Could anybody give any suggestions as to what might be a cause and solution? I'm really hoping to get the car running shortly, but this is not helping my cause. Below are a few photos to identify the bolt in question - it's the bolt without the circular recess. It has been helicoiled once before, but I can't imagine that would have gone through into a water channel!

Thanks very much,

Mac.

The pheonix rises from the ashes - just give it time!

(two and a half years and counting - but who's counting!!)

http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/macmattom/

bahbzilla · Postby **bahbzilla** » 09 Nov 2010 14:29

Is it possible that it is leaking from the water pipe connection and running down so it appears to be coming from that front bolt? When I put my intake manifold back on, I put some silicone on the o-ring to hold it in place while moving things around and to improve the seal.

1980 TR7 DHC

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 09 Nov 2010 14:49

I too would firstly suspect the O ring. I believe jclay uses three evenly spaced dabs of crazy glue to hold it in place as it can easily fall/get moved out of position as you put the maniflod back on. I suppose you shouldn't assume the O ring was the right size (thickness wise) as assumptions can lead you down the garden path but its position shifting is most common problem.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 09 Nov 2010 17:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by macmattom

... Could anybody give any suggestions as to what might be a cause and solution? ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Looks like I had the same problem recently, covered it in my weblog ...

http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/2010/09/water-pump-here-we-go-again.html

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

Bobbieslandy · Postby **Bobbieslandy** » 09 Nov 2010 19:50

i had a similar problem, the metal pipe had shifted too far into the manifold so the lower O ring wasnt' actually sealing. i got a pair of slim grips on that small metal pipe and moved it down until it stopped leaking. Actually it may of needed moving up, i can't remember. Either way it's possible to manipulate that pipe until the leak stops.

Rob.

John Clancy · Postby **John Clancy** » 10 Nov 2010 08:56

Or the inlet manifold gasket is on the wrong way. Very easily done and it means a waterway is not blocked off correctly causing the cooland to pour straight out.

Good luck. It's bound to be something trivial.

<center>[url="http://www.triumphtr7.com/documents/sales/codenamebullet.asp"]Buy the story of the Triumph TR7/8 on DVD here[/url]</center>

RadioGuy · Postby **RadioGuy** » 10 Nov 2010 09:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Clancy

Or the inlet manifold gasket is on the wrong way. Very easily done and it means a waterway is not blocked off correctly causing the coolant to pour straight out. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

John' right I did that once. Took a lot of cussin and figuring to get it fixed.[B)]

Maintained on Saturdayâ€¦Drive on Fun-Day !!! 1976 FHC - 1980 DHC

macmattom · Postby **macmattom** » 11 Nov 2010 22:04

Well, many thanks to all of you. I reckon I know where it's gone wrong - and I feel like such a plonker! I never considered the gasket being able to go on backwards, but John Clancy's suggestion and Beans's blog prove to me I've been putting the gasket on the wrong way round [:I]. I might also take the belt and braces option and use 2 O rings, one fitted inside the other (again, inspired by Beans's blog - double thanks [:)]). I won't get back to the car for a week, but when I do I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,

The pheonix rises from the ashes - just give it time!

(two and a half years and counting - but who's counting!!)

http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/macmattom/

nick · Postby **nick** » 14 Nov 2010 16:41

Nice looking chromed parts.

nick
'79 TR7

macmattom · Postby **macmattom** » 14 Nov 2010 18:35

Thanks, Nick. I just hope they stay that way!

The pheonix rises from the ashes - just give it time!

(two and a half years and counting - but who's counting!!)

http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/macmattom/

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 14 Nov 2010 19:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by macmattom

... hope they stay that way ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Prepare for regular polishing [:p]

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

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Inlet manifold leak

Inlet manifold leak

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