[quote="SMUTT
@johnboyairey - Thanks for the tip to mark alt orientation - would not be the first time I have had to dismantle something due to missing some subtlety like that. As for the timing chain replacement - how would I know if that needed doing. I used to have a 2Ltr Opel Manta with chain and that was said to be bullet proof - so I thought they all were (naive )

.[/quote]

dont worry, the chain is a 'chain-for-life' ie when it goes, that's the end!

-there is a slight awareness needed of the chain. the chain is good, but the chain runs in a circuit, that has nylon guides, -these guides become brittle. (possibly due to heat, and ageing) so, possibly at some point in it's life, the guide(s) can break up and the chain then runs on bare metal. (AND CHAIN IS SLACK!) this is normally quite noisy. and should be turned off straight away. its a big job, needing camshaft alignment tools. etc. i had to do it as i bought a car that had this fault. however, dont worry about it. but be aware, if you think this is happening, turn off. or only allow to idle... and (when off) remove lower sump to see if any nylon guide material is laying in sump. and alluminium silver swarf in oil filter.

here is a low-down.

'Haylands', (Pete) has fitted and recommends, changing the water temp thermostat, to a lower temp one, for various reasons. this could (to me) prolong this potential issue.

Thanks very much for the chain info. I remeber seeing an episode of "The Garage" where a FF came in and I think one of the mechanic broke the "brittle" chain guide - next day he had had enough and off back to UK - I got the impression no other mechanic really wanted to touch the FF so I have no doubt it is a big job!

I have the 80deg kit and new water pump ready to go on when I get chance - possibly next spring when weather is warmer and the stars and SWMBO are in alignment to allow me to have another Day Off! Howard
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2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9

Further to this - checked the alt bolts - all fine. Cleaned up liquid. Wiggled top hose fitting to alternator. Nothing. Came back about a minute later - small pool of coolant. Now wiggled conector again and BINGO - a tiny trickle following the alternator / housing seam down to the V gulley where it usually pools (as per original post)

So looks like O ring. Infact I noticed the sensor on the Rad Bottom pipe O ring also leaking. So probably worth getting a kit of various size O rings.

Oddly enough I bought a Top hose a few weeks ago as part of my preventative maintenance mods. This was bought along with several other pieces. Now I would not like to say that my FF knows what new goodies I bought for it, but so far every one I have bought has proved useful as shortly after purchase, that item has failed (before I had time to replace it) and luckily I just happened to have a new one in the boot. Spooky or what. Howard
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2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9

Viton O rings available here for pennies http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Seals/c19/index.html

If the hose "O" rings are shot then it's time to replace the hose, the plastic the ends are made of gets hard and brittle over time and they will just fall apart... not worth bothering with....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Fair point about the hoses and plastic connectors replacement due to age but that may not always be the case because the old O rings compress and harden quickly even on hoses which were recently replaced . Some leaks will only happen when very cold and will seal when the system warms .

If replacing O rings one needs to measure the old rings with a vernier gauge as they are strange sizes with regard to thickness and inner / outer diameter . Some replacements are not exactly the same as the originals and you can`t go very much oversize .

Thanks for all the advice. New hoses shall be order as you say not worth bothering.
But thanks for tips on measuring the o rings. Pipes are original but probably worth having a few o rings on standby for emergency. Howard
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2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9

New Rad Top Hose fitted today - so this effectively replaced the Alternator Connection O ring

No more leak

. Howard
____________________________________________________
2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9

 Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

@Haylands - No hammers were used in the fitting of this component.

General comment on condition of plastic connectors on the hoses.
I saw Storey Wilson's (RSW allcomms fame) video on these BMW fittings - apparently they discolour (turn brown) when they start to go brittle - they start life black. So if yours is going brown probably time for a change.

Mine had turned brown and noticeable when compared to new one. Also there is a small dot on the top of the connector about 1cm across which had started to have a small residue of coolant on it so was probably not long for the world Howard
____________________________________________________
2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9

I thought that the hose connections were OK, and we were talking about the actual alternator to engine sealing o ring, that's about 6 inch diameter. However, the typical rad hoses and their o rings are a source of potential leaks.
However, in my own experience with these hoses, I learnt the hard way. If you push home the hoses, and then slide the lock rings home, you think by wiggling that they are seated. However, it possible that the metal clip is not sitting in its groove, and the hose can push itself free.
I was tipped, to first use vasalene on both surfaces, to ease the seating home of the hose, but with the clip still in. This then means, that the clip audibly clips in, and can't be riding out of the groove. And when I did this it was much easier to mate etc. From experience as I say, because I had the rad hose seemingly burst, but it was actually breaking free on one side. Due to heat, and expansion/pressure.

SMUTT I warned all of that last year when I bought mine, it too was leaking from that spot and fell apart when touched, it's also in my build thread so you should have read it....!!!!

johnboyairey Petroleum jelly melts to a liquid at 37 deg C and is then flammable if it has a material to wick into, like the wrapping on most of the wiring under the bonnet and various other bits... personally I don't use it anywhere....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

@JBA - Yes originally I thought it was the large O ring - but further checking (see post further up this page) turned out by flexing the connection on alternator it weeped slightly. But thanks for your help on checking alt bolts etc.

For fitting the connectors - that is exactly what I did - found by trial and error when replacing the rad that the best way is to close the clips and slide them on - listening for the definite click into place - almost idiot proof - so just what I needed

@Haylands - I am sorry - must have missed that post - I joined after you - However I shall go back and read all your posts so I don't embarrass myself further
. Howard
____________________________________________________
2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9

I'll let you off this time, now go and read all the old posts from everyone...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-