Something worth checking during winter servicing.

[DJ.]

I am currently changing the timing belt on my Seven. It is a pain, but I cannot remove the alternator without removing the water rail.

Having removed it, I noticed some wear on the aluminium tube:

On croser inspection, I realised it must have been 90% worn through:

A new rail is £100 and available, but I thought I would try using my Tig welder to repair it:

It went quite well, so I thinned it down with file and emery cloth leaving the metal a little thicker:

I have covered the area in some helicopter blade tape to protect it from future wear and it is ready to fit.

[Wingco]

What was it rubbing on Duncan ? it may be worth looking at that as well.
Glad you found it early, could have been an expensive fix if that had gone all the way through.

[DJ.]

It must be part of the throttle body or inlet manifold, I will have a good look when I refit it.

Yes it saved some money, but I'm mainly glad I spotted it to avoid being stranded by the side of the road. I have a low coolant level warning light, so would have saved over heating, but access to the rail is really difficult so it wouldn't bea quick fix.

[locost220]

Well spotted mate