I found a big leak today under the driver side, the coolant holding tank is on the driver side, I was able to see the leak is coming from somewhere under the tank. I have tried taking the holding tank off but I can't get to the lower hose. What do I do?
Not mentioned in the FAQ, but the secret to that lower hose is to disconnect the other end and then remove the hose and tank as a unit. Then you can separate them off the vehicle. To fix that loose connection, unfortunately you'd have to remove the tank. I don't think you can access it while installed.
Also, make sure the tank itself is not leaking. It's very possible the tank is cracked and the coolant is running down the outside, but making it look like the connection is leaking.
To remove the expansion tank requires removing the wiper arms, windscreen cowl and reinforcement bar first.
Remove the lower hose at the heater pipe by sliding the constant tension clamp down the hose and then use a hose tool or pliers to loosen the hose from the pipe. The lower hose is then removed along with the expansion tank.
Replace the expansion tank as they are know failure points.
The expansion tank bottom hose has a wire spring clip which you have to carefully slide horizontally towards the centre line of the car.
DO NOT LOSE THE CLIP.
Once the clip is off, you grip the hose connector by hand and pull. Any coolant still in the tank will go everywhere.
So cover up, or have some other way of fully draining the tank.
The level sensor plug is the usual grip and pull, there is only one tag on the plug to release.
The sensor itself can be removed complete with the electrical plug still attached by quite simply rotating the plastic angle shaped holder a quarter
turn either clockwise or anti-clockwise and then pull it out towards the back of the engine bay.
Take off the air inlet hose.
Take off the radiator hoses from the engine and the radiator. The T will still have a hose going down but you can move them enough.
Now you can squirm your hand in to get to that little clip on the bottom rear of the expansion tank.
remove the electrical wire and tank can be taken out.
