Today we started our engine to let it run for around half an hour after filling the radiator with anti-freeze/coolant. After starting it coolant poured out from the side of the engine like niagra falls leaving a huge puddle under the bus (and beyond). My wife and son yelled to me that it was happening and I imediately turned off the engine. It took a while before it stopped pouring out but I investigated and found a hole in the side of the engine where it was coming out. Luckily, this part with the hole in it comes off and can be replaced IF I can find a replacement. Considering how rare the BVW engine is, I doubt I will have luck. The cool thing is that even though I don’t know what to call this particular part, a part number is actually on the unit. It is the 293bvw. Basically put, it routes coolant from one hole in the engine to a hole next to it. There are about 4 of these parts on the visible side of the engine. Here are some pictures of the holy part and the non-holy part for comparison. You can click the pictures to see them bigger.
Here is a farther view back from the engine.
Ironically, I need to remove the fuel injection pump so that I can replace a choke valve that is all rusted out and not turning the engine off. I was dreading taking it off just for that because of all the work involved but now I have to take it off to replace this part, so now I am not dreading it. haha. See, the glass IS half full.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:25 pm
The part which is leaking on your bvw engine,is only held on by two nuts which if i remember correctly are 1/4 whitworth size. This is an obsolete English imperial measurement. Anyway after this part is removed you will find two rubber washers which are probably perished, this may be the source of your leak. This part will only go on one way as the water ports are offset,it really is a simple job to do. Also make sure the fuel injection pump is filled with oil up to the bottom of the level plug. This pump is not lubricated automatically by the engine, so has to be filled manually, failure to do so could lead to the engine revs being very slow to die down and eventual failure of the pump itself.
February 26th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Hi Derek,
Thanks for the info especially regarding the injection pump. I had no idea about that. I went forward and JB Welded the hole closed. It was actually a hole the size of a quarter, so I would have to replace the part and from what I hear, it is darn near impossible to find parts on this engine. I am sure there was a leak and the water rusted out and corroded it due to the rubber washers. I was considering taking them off but honestly, they are way to hard for me to get off. Maybe if I could find the 1/4 whitworth size wrench I coudl pull it off. But everything I tried felt futile.
Considering how much you know, do you have a bvw engine? Just curious because I have not yet met anybody with one. Most have the gardner.