TF 115 Inlet Manifold Leak

[bobfreeman1954]

Hi All

My money pit continues to keep me occupied...

My 2004 TF 115 has had a slow coolant leak from the inlet manifold (I think). I had the gasket changed but, still, its incontinence prevails.... Not much (egg cup+?) and not straight after a run - takes a day or two to appear on the garage floor - one of those leaks that if I was using it every day and parked in different place, I wouldn't find out about it until too late...

Can't think of anywhere else to look - the garage that did the service (specialist) said there were two bolts missing off the manifold, and the "whosh" has now definately disappeared from behind my right ear.. I am guessing that it is probably warpped or something? Is there an alloy manifold to replace the plastic thing? Adore the car and bought it as a 99% (cough) completed project - it has had the HG, water pump and cambelt done a 1000 miles back

Any thoughts are appreciated

Bob

[ArntyR]

Hi bobfreeman1954. TBH if you're not sure that it's leak-free I'd see it as an opportunity to upgrade your plastic TF115 im to a much more reliable alloy item. I've replaced this gasket recently on my 'plastic' '05 TF115 and wished I'd known more at the time: I'd certainly have taken the alloy route!

I found out recently via this forum that only the TF115 has this plastic item fitted whilst the rest of the range are all alloy.

If you're into tuning I gather that a larger throttle body on the new inlet at the same time will give a pleasing performance upgrade. I'm sure I'll eventually take this path.

ps I take it you're confident your garage made sure that the manifold/jiggle valve was clean of rust deposits/leak sealant and bled the system thoroughly. Oh, and the coolant cap and rad are healthy?

pps IMO it would have been a 'no brainer' to have replaced this gasket while your HG was being sorted. Mine's had an expensive HG/pump/bolts/tensioner/cambelt fix in the past but the im gasket I recently replaced was very obviously the original. It didn't seem to be a priority...

[bobfreeman1954]

Thanks for this - I was unaware that the alloy manifolds fit all models - that is a bit of a bonus! Take your point about everything being clean etc - I am never confident having things done these days. Just noticed the underside of the front bumper has been grounded on a kerb. I think the manifold gasket was done when the HG was fixed but there were a couple of nuts missing - hence the leak. I bought the car after a lot of work had been done and then it had been left - Lovely to drive so will keep at it

Seems typical that the 115 only had the plastic manifold - I am the Muppet who spent 20 mins trying to get the central locking to work only to find that the fob is for the alarm only and "white" doorlocks are non-CL

Many thanks for the advice - really appreciated

Bob

[ArntyR]

Only 20mins before 'sussing' the c/locking? I was unaware for weeks thinking I had an electrical fault. I used a disconnect switch on the battery of my 'previous '01 mk2 115 MGF for ages thinking I had 'gremlins' and woke many neighbours up when I 'locked' the car and left it outside (this was before the battery switch) - Try finding the right spanner to disconnect a battery terminal when the alarm is sounding off at 08:00 on a quiet Sun morning and the horn terminals have to be squeezed in a certain, special way!

Curiously my latest '05 115 TF has electric mirrors, 2 horns, ABS, heated rear screen and c/locking seemingly from the factory/dealer since there are no invoices for them, nor any mention on the original receipt. In any case why would anyone choose to pay for these as extras when a 135/160 already bristles with them? (and an alloy i/m to boot...)

[Tipper]

[quote="ArntyR"]....

I found out recently via this forum that only the TF115 has this plastic item fitted whilst the rest of the range are all alloy.

/quote]

The TF 120 models also have the plastic manifold as do all non-vvc Fs. I changed my inlet manifold gasket when the head was off the engine as changing it on the bench is far easier.

A good indicator of a failed inlet manifold gasket is a rather strange smelling exhaust (burning coolant!) and much much more condensation from the exhaust even on warm days and when warmed up.

[ArntyR]

Thanks Tipper that's all the F/TF accurately categorised now...
Yes, it's a pig doing it in-situ, necessitating sitting in the boot and getting various scars, strains and ultimately counselling. (Even sitting on the bench is far easier, let alone replacing the img at the same time.)
I 'smelled that smell' 7 months ago and was reminded again very recently after fitting a new exhaust - but thankfully that burning smell seems to be disappearing.