Coolant in the Valley of Death - With Video!

[flux3d]

Well, after stripping down the engine I found a right mess in the VOD. Fair amount of coolant in there and some serious dirt. To start with I was worried there would be some serious block rot, but everything seems to be ok so far. Dodged that one I think.

I've removed the water pump and the pipes that go through the VOD. The hoses connecting them were pretty old and distressed, so maybe this is where the coolant is coming from. The water pump seems fine, but again the connection to the hose looks shot, so maybe from here as well. The only other place I can see that it would come from would be a leak in the head gasket, but the engine hasn't given me any trouble. It's not over heated, plus passed its recent MOT with flying colours, low Hydrocarbons etc.

I'm thinking of getting either the full silicone hose set or the one for the water pump only and changing them over. Hopefully this will solve the issue.

I've done this video of all the process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMUgPMFah-k&feature=youtu.be

Plus there are more images of the process on my Facebook page and blog.

http://www.facebook.com/thedeloreanproject

http://www.delorean-dream.blogspot.com

What do people think. Will the replacement of the hoses solve the problem? Should I paint the VOD or just leave it alone?

Mark

[ALEXAKOS]

Is it also oily in there or is that just my idea?

So far you have been very careful. Don't think you will encounter any surprises while removing the pipes. I got a full silicone replacement set from Josh @ DPI for my water pump. ;)

[Bitsyncmaster]

I painted my valley after a through cleaning. I figured the thin paint would fill the castings grain holes. Some people use a thick coating epoxy type paint but I think they find it flakes off. A problem with paint is it runs down to the bottom so it takes a long time to dry there.

[AugustneverEnds]

I painted my valley after a through cleaning. I figured the thin paint would fill the castings grain holes. Some people use a thick coating epoxy type paint but I think they find it flakes off. A problem with paint is it runs down to the bottom so it takes a long time to dry there.

+1

I tore into my VOD last spring. Lots of accumulated crud and a bit of coolant. Per John Hervey's suggestion I painted the valley with rubberized undercoating spray. One year on seems to be holding up well. Also replaced all of the hoses with silicone ones so hopefully they will last a long time.

[mluder]

I painted my VOD with regular engine spray paint from a rattle can. It's held up ok.

The reality is the constant heating and cooling cycle will eventually start to loosen the paint. It won't hurt anything to paint I think but I would avoid some of the heavier epoxy-like coatings. When they start to fail they can trap moisture and then you will start to see rotting.

Replacing the hoses is definitely a good idea. While your at it I would go ahead and replace the water pump too. Most dealers offer a kit that includes hoses, as well as all o-rings and gaskets, and bolts/washers to replace pretty much any part you took off to get where you are. It's worth the investment and piece of mind. You don't want to have to do this again in a couple of months.

Cheers
Steven

[NightFlyer]

An alternative to paint would be to treat the aluminum of the valley (or the entire exterior of the engine for that matter) with alodine - it's what they do with aircraft parts.

[flux3d]

Nick, which make of rubberised paint did you use? That sounds like a good idea to me. I'm just concerned that it wouldn't hold up to the temperatures in there. What do people think?

[David T]

Nick, which make of rubberised paint did you use? That sounds like a good idea to me. I'm just concerned that it wouldn't hold up to the temperatures in there. What do people think?

The main reason the paint won't stay is because you can't get the metal clean enough. Most of the dirt you find in the cavities is what remains after you evaporate the coolant that leaked. It looks like a golden colored sand. It is from the "O" ring seals leaking from the pipe but it can also be from the hoses. The water pump should also be replaced since it is over 30 years old and is easy to do now.

[flux3d]

Thanks David, I did wonder what the sand like stuff in there was. I just presumed the D had been to the beach sometime in iots life. lol

New water pump ordered along with the silicone pipe kit from Ed of DeLorean Europe. Definitely worth it as you're right, a 30 year old pump is ripe to die any minute. Plus I'm sure the friction on the pulley is far too much, so its being replaced.

I'm also going to paint the valley as well. Just with what I've not decided....

[David T]

Thanks David, I did wonder what the sand like stuff in there was. I just presumed the D had been to the beach sometime in iots life. lol

New water pump ordered along with the silicone pipe kit from Ed of DeLorean Europe. Definitely worth it as you're right, a 30 year old pump is ripe to die any minute. Plus I'm sure the friction on the pulley is far too much, so its being replaced.

I'm also going to paint the valley as well. Just with what I've not decided....

Something I have had success with is Glyptal. It is used inside electric motors and is very gooey but dries to a hard gloosy finish. You can get a small can of it at Eastwood.com.

[DMCMW Dave]

I've taken apart a few engines with the valley painted previously. Paint is never where it was supposed to be and typically peels off in some nice moisture-retaining chunks. I agree with David T - you can't get it clean enough for coatings short of taking it completely apart and blasting it.