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Whilst having the engine top cover off to look at my PCV valve (see other post) I spotted a damp patch on the aluminium coolant rails on the top RHS of the engine (as you look from the front). Closer inspection revealed this to be weeping through a tiny pinhole and further check of the coolant tank showed a slightly lower level than the last time I checked it which it strange as usually it doesn't use a drop.
Whilst looking at the part to see what was needed to replace it, I found an unconnected hose which immediately made me suspicious, as I have found a couple of other 'non JLR' modifications done to this car by a previous owner. To have a proper look at what was going on I took the intake plenum out and this is what I found...
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I got the Topix section out to trace where the hoses 'should' go and it looks like the flow pipe to the Temperature control valve has been bypassed straight back into the return pipe (which was kinked in half so I doubt much was getting past it). The two pipes to the heater matrix were still connected but the return from the heater matrix was left open ended in the bulkhead.
I am pretty sure this is not an official modification, but would be interested to know if anyone thinks there would be any issues running the car in this manner. I need to finish checking it all out, and see if the heater matrix is OK as it might have been bypassed because of a leak and the previous owner couldn't be bothered to change it for the 1 week a year here we need the heating. Then I plan to restore it back to its original routing. I also found a little 2-wire plug dangling down by the Temperature Control Valve which I fished out and tucked up onto of the brake box. You can just make it out in the following picture. Should this connector feed the Control Valve or the little Aux. Pump?
A little temporary fix to the weeping line was done with a bit of old hose and a jubilee clip until I see about connecting this little lot up correctly. Good excuse to change the coolant as well as thats due now at 10 years old.
On a side note, it rained cats and dogs here today and without any heat inside the cabin, I really struggled to keep the windows clear from misting up. Had to drive with the air con on to dehumidify the air which was freezing  . Payback I am sure for complaining in the summer that it was not blowing cold enough.
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26th Nov 2016 7:15pm
