Gold Sinker Mk1

[aerodynamica]

Uh oh seems I have a water leak! I have a little drip from the back of the engine towards the timing belt side , unable to have a proper look but through the wheel arch it looks very much like it's from the area of the thermostat. I can't be sure if it's the thermostat housing or the large coolant pipe connecting it to the radiator.

I can't recall if the XUD9 thermotsat housing is one of the black plastic types like on my XM. If so is this likely to be breaking? If it is actually the pipe end that's split - can the pipe still be sourced? I'd imagine the thermo housing would be available.

I think it looks a difficult job.

Any advice welcomed!!

[aerodynamica]

There are a couple on ebay - I do suspect the plastic housing is leaking more likely than the pipe itself.

[chinkostu]

I thought the thermostat was on the top infront of the fuel filter?


There is an assembly of sorts that bolts to the back of the engine near the water pump though, is that where you mean?

[aerodynamica]

Ah, it might be! I'm getting mixed up. Yes that's where it was on my two XMs, petrol and diesel each. When I changed the timing belt and water pump on my previous silver xantia I thought I'd seen the thermostat was actually at the back below the water pump. Damn, I can't properly check - either way it's leaking from there - not severe yet but If it blows then I'm stuffed. Think I'll have to nurse it to the garage this week some time.

Yes Stu, that assembly at the back is seemingly where it's oozing from

[aerodynamica]

Yes, think this is what you're talking about


this is def where it's leaking. I really do need to pinpoint exactly though

[Xantidote]

Have you established whether it's the black plastic housing, or the pump, that's leaking?

[aerodynamica]

Hi Martin, afraid not yet. It's leaking from beyond the end (where it connects to the plastic thing) of the big pipe that goes to the radiator so I'm sure it isn't the water pump. But there are those two smaller diameter pipes pointing upwards from the plastic junction and it is possible it is leaking higher up on those and running down but my wager is on the plastic thing itself. Annoyingly it has started to rain here making diagnosis a bit harder. I might be able to check closely later this afternoon.

[aerodynamica]

Not yet established but I ordered a new water pump, timing belt and the plastic junction there so I'll just do the lot in one big job. I planned to change the belt anyway as I can't be sure when it was done. Of course the WP must be done at the same time.

I ordered them seperate too and it's because on the silver Xantia (same age as gold one, mere days apart) the belt, pump and pulleys kit arrived and I found the water pump casting had a belt guard as part of the casting and indeed it is the case for every one I looked at. The one coming off the car however, didn't have this as the plastic cambelt cover formed part of this. It must be a feature of the earliest XUD9s. I had to cut part of the plastic cover away to refit it as it fouled with the belt guard part of the WP casting. So to avoid doing that again I ordered the water pump that doesn't have the belt guard.

It is cheaper still anyway just the inconvenience of the belt and WP coming from two different suppliers with two different delivery dates. I still have the two belt pulleys from the last job on the silver Xantia as the existing ones seemed good (and they were a 'mare to change) so I'll still have a full kit when the seperate bits arrive.

In the mean time it's 'carry a big bottle of water with me'

[yannbeam]

Hi. Its normally the plastic housing that gets brittle with age and cracks. Had to change a couple of them now. Getting the clips off the small pipes is the hardest part as there's not a lot of room to manoeuvre in there.

[aerodynamica]

Hi Ian thanks, I wonder if I should pick up a set of new clips and cut the old ones off. Anyway, I can't do anything until bits arrive

[CitroJim]

If the clips are of the springy type Graeme then they will be reusable.. If Jubilee type then definitely replace them with good quality ones...

Be aware there is an O ring behind the water manifold that can also be the cause of the leak; replace this too...

[aerodynamica]

Right o Jim, though I'm guessing you don't get a new one with the plastic junction. Anyone happen to know the diameter of the o ring?

[CitroJim]

From memory, about the same size as a sphere O ring...

[aerodynamica]

This part arrived today and thankfully comes with the o ring.I think it looks difficult to access but Hope it's workable. Thanks for all the help folks. G

[RichardW]

I think access is much improved if you take the OS drive shaft out....!!!