I heard someone talking about coolant leaking from a Catera at the rear of the engine but the water valve had already been replaced. I thought it didn't belong where I saw it so I thought I'd talk about it here.
On the top of the engine, in what would usually be a "valley" they installed a metal plate. This plate has sealer around the edges and bolts to the engine block but in it is mounted the oil cooler. Below the plate is coolant flowing through the engine to remove heat from the engine oil. Why they mounted this thing under the intake I'll never know, but needless to say if you have a pretty good coolant leak from this area it's likely this plate leaking.
You have to remove the upper and lower intakes and move some pipes, remove some banjo bolts and take off the coolant crossover in the back.
I have only done it a couple times so I'll post the images I think might help but this job is not for the timid. It could take you an entire day and if you mess up, you'll have to do it all over again, I'd advise finding someone who can work on this with some degree of skill.
Glad to be able to help.
They use an RTV type sealer around the base of the plate, it has a tendency to leak after temperature cycling with that pressure on it from the cooling system. I am not sure what the total charge is but I know it's a bit pricey.
Could it be the coolant cross flow valve for the heater core thats on the back of the engine also because mine waqs cracked and leaking also and i first thought it was that oil cooler to
The water valve is a definite player in that area.
The person that I was talking to said that they had already replaced the water valve but still had a leak from the same area.
Sorry I didn't clarify that in my original post.
Make sure to check the water valve back there before tearing into this one.
Thanks for reminding me.
I just replaced the HCV in my '01 yesterday .... and I'm happy to say that took care of the leak. Surprisingly, I went to the dealer today and had them run my VIN to get a record of all the warranty work that's been done to date (I'm not the original owner), and foound that this valve was replaced once before at ~20K miles. Apparently, this is almost a maintenance item! Good thing it's only $50 and can be changed in your garage!
Are there any step by step instructions on how to get to the oil cooler? Removing the upper and lower intakes, ect.?
I beleive mine needs to be replaced. I removed the two intake tubes from the front of the engine today and saw what looked like burnt crusted coolant all down below the intakes. I've had a sercious coolant leak from the back of my engine so it's a pretty safe bet that this is the problem. So anyway are there any step by step instructions on replacing this shitty cooler?
Now thats instructions on how to fit an "Oil Cooler" what you have in fact on the Catera/Opel/Vauxhall and why its located in the V of the Cylinder Block is in fact NOT an Oil Cooler but to give its correct tital a HEAT EXCHANGER.
Every dam forum calls it an Oil Cooler, which it is and isn't Oil coolers dont have coolant flowing on one side and oil on the other they are also located at the front of a car/motorcycle not in one of the hotest locations outside an engine, hope thast clears this up.
