Discussion
Just got back from giving the V8s a good long run down to the south of france, no real issues except when I got to Bordeux after some 900 miles I noticed she was running hot. Fan was kicking in and only keeping the temp at about 98 degrees just below the red when in traffic. Next day topped up coolant and ran engine whilst topping up, took about a litre. Drove for about 350 miles and noticed that she was running hot again, only slightly but below 40 mph the gauge ran upto 90 degrees quite quickly! On my return I topped up again drove for a short distance then let idle. The fan kicked in and only held the temp just below the red, about 98 to 100 degrees, no coolant loss or over heating. The fan used to reduce the temperature of the car more efficiently, its not brilliant but it worked better. I wonder if I could have a lot of offending insect bodies in the radiator. Could not really see any. Cannot see any coolant leaks, which makes me think head gasgit. But car runs so well. No emuslsion in oil, no steam in exhaust and starts first time and does not hesitate under power. Could I have a leak in the heater matrix if so what do I look for. heater works well and does not blow any water vapour. Oh on the trip my fan switch for the heater broke. Now only works on low, where can I get a switch from. Any ideas appreciated.
You say no coolant leaks, but I'm not sure whether you just mean you can't see any drips. Is the coolant going down or not? If it has been losing water and now running hotter than normal, it may be the dreaded head gasket failure but it may just be an air lock in the radiator. These need to be bled periodically and again any time the water has got low.
water loss just suddenly started no leaks put a new cap on the swirl tank. The car is just running hotter and does not over heatbut I am topping up the coolant. I had the system bled at the service in July. I would assume that if the head goes wpould it not cause my cooling system to pressurize amd check out coolant?
Seems odd. I assumed the gasket would go and that would be it? The car drives the same. Have to wait and see.
Seems odd. I assumed the gasket would go and that would be it? The car drives the same. Have to wait and see.
Head gasket can go in lots of different ways. If the water jacket blows into a cylinder, the engine will burn the water but you'll also get combustion gasses contaminating the water - these can be detected with an HC tester. If the water jacket blows into a oil way the water can leak into the sump and get boiled off, but you will usually get oil in the water too and this can be seen as an emulsion in the water. You may also get emulsion in the oil, but this is inconclusive because it's normal to get water in the oil in some circumstances. You can also get an external cooling system leak which causes a slow loss. If this only occurs when the engine is hot the water may just evaporate and you won't see any drips. Leaks in the radiator end tanks sometimes do this.
I suggest you have the cooling system leak tested, and then do an HC test.
I suggest you have the cooling system leak tested, and then do an HC test.
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff