Oh b*lls what now?!!
Discussion
Just driving into Manchester today and the engine on the 400 decides to stop whilst doing about 60 on the motorway.
"This is getting a bit too common" thinks I. Since it has done the exact same thing twice in the last couple of weeks.
I pull in on the hard shoulder and turn it over - it doesn't want to know. But past experience tells me that in about 5-10 minutes I'll start, and sure enough it does.
Whilst waiting I pull off one of the plug leads and try a spare spark plug against the engine. It sparks, Hmmm.
Anyway, sure enough after about 10 mins it starts so off I go - for about a mile
and it stops again. 
Well after about four miles and the forth time of it happening I decide to call out the RAC.
This time it takes ages before it will start again (well I had nothing else to do whilst I was waiting!)and I notice that after the engine has been running for about 5 mins, that water is bubbling out of the cap on the expansion tank, even though the temperature guage hasn't even made it to ninety yet.
Now these could be two unrelated symptoms but I've got a baaaad feeling that I could be looking at a cylinder head problem.
"This is getting a bit too common" thinks I. Since it has done the exact same thing twice in the last couple of weeks.
I pull in on the hard shoulder and turn it over - it doesn't want to know. But past experience tells me that in about 5-10 minutes I'll start, and sure enough it does.
Whilst waiting I pull off one of the plug leads and try a spare spark plug against the engine. It sparks, Hmmm.
Anyway, sure enough after about 10 mins it starts so off I go - for about a mile
and it stops again. Well after about four miles and the forth time of it happening I decide to call out the RAC.
This time it takes ages before it will start again (well I had nothing else to do whilst I was waiting!)and I notice that after the engine has been running for about 5 mins, that water is bubbling out of the cap on the expansion tank, even though the temperature guage hasn't even made it to ninety yet.
Now these could be two unrelated symptoms but I've got a baaaad feeling that I could be looking at a cylinder head problem.
And before anyone asks:
The temperature guage has been checked recently and been shown to read accurately.
The filler cap on is the correct rating (according to the bible) and is only a couple of months old.
Also the radiator, hoses, plugs & leads have all been replaced withing the last few months.
Anybody care to offer any opinions before it goes to the garage tomorrow? I've got a feeling this one's gonna sting
Don't worry about it Dicky! (pinching the thread that is, you should probably worry about the engine 
)
I've got to agree with you Brm that I can't see how one cylinder - even if it was full of coolant - would stop the engine running.
When it did stop, the engine smelled a bit "gassy" to me which first made me wonder about over-fueling problems, but it doesn't run rough first, it just stops (maybe ignition module?).
I can't help thinking I'd be better off with a good old bank of carbs instead of all this electronic wizardry!
But what I really need it good ol' Steve Heath to come online and tell me theres a screw located in the bottom of the boot which I just have to rotate half a turn and It'll all be fine!
Where are you when I need ya Steve?!
) I've got to agree with you Brm that I can't see how one cylinder - even if it was full of coolant - would stop the engine running.
When it did stop, the engine smelled a bit "gassy" to me which first made me wonder about over-fueling problems, but it doesn't run rough first, it just stops (maybe ignition module?).
I can't help thinking I'd be better off with a good old bank of carbs instead of all this electronic wizardry!
But what I really need it good ol' Steve Heath to come online and tell me theres a screw located in the bottom of the boot which I just have to rotate half a turn and It'll all be fine!
Where are you when I need ya Steve?!
Thought I'd give you guys a bit of an update on my little problem. 
Well the intermittent cutting out appears to have been the little electric fuel pump cut-off switch (located in front of the divers side near the hydralic clutch cylinder on mine). I'm guessing the contacts had become corroded over the years and the switch a little too zelous at cutting out.
As for the bubbling water - everything currently checks out fine. But it transpired that I hadn't had the thermostat replaced since I bought the car, so it now has a new one and everything so far is just dandy.
So with a little bit of luck that's a cheap fix by my standards!
:breatheshugesighofrelief:
Well the intermittent cutting out appears to have been the little electric fuel pump cut-off switch (located in front of the divers side near the hydralic clutch cylinder on mine). I'm guessing the contacts had become corroded over the years and the switch a little too zelous at cutting out.
As for the bubbling water - everything currently checks out fine. But it transpired that I hadn't had the thermostat replaced since I bought the car, so it now has a new one and everything so far is just dandy.
So with a little bit of luck that's a cheap fix by my standards!
:breatheshugesighofrelief:
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