Hi, I have a coolant leak on the heater return pipe (no.13) at the o-ring end (no.14) in the picture below.
However to get the pipe out the water pump would have to come off and everything else. Or the cylinder head bypass (no.16) has to come off due to the heater return pipe bracket bolt not being removable because it sits in front of no.16.
The heater return pipe runs between the V of the motor under the inlet manifold and the block brace. I had everything off last weekend but didn't want to go any further as I couldn't get to the cylinder head bypass bolts and I don't have the desire to take the water pump out.
I was thinking of cutting the bracket on the heater return pipe and reattaching it somehow or cutting the pipe somewhere along its length then joining it back together with some hose. I don't know about putting a hose in the V of the engine because I don't know how long it will last or how hot it gets in there. I assume it is an aluminium pipe for a reason.
Anyone got any other ideas or any thoughts on fixing the leak, or has any one with the V6 had the o-ring replaced and how much it cost. I thought I could fix it myself and make it easier to fix if it happened again but can take it to a mechanic if I need to.
Thanks
Dylan