Another breakdown
Author
Discussion

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Steam billowing out of expansion tank cap. Can still feel it bubbling after 10mins. What might be the cause for it? Not opening anything until it's cooled enough to handle. Rac on their way. Will try to move car to a safe place, as currently perched 50 yards off Oxford circus! Oops

Chaz9950

1,133 posts

170 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
I have no experience of TVR's, but an overheating engine could be one of a few things - water pump (and possibly auxiliary belt too), blocked airflow to the radiator or damaged fins, a blocked or partially blocked radiator, faulty or inoperative radiator fans or radiator fan relay / temperature sensor, and finally a thermostat, but I'd say that's unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely.

I'm not sure whats the most likely culprit, but most of that stuff is easy to check and rule out.

miniman

29,656 posts

288 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Are the fans running when you switch on the ignition? Duff otter switch, maybe. Try shorting a key or paperclip across the terminals and see if the fans run.

Podie

46,649 posts

301 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
miniman said:
Are the fans running when you switch on the ignition? Duff otter switch, maybe. Try shorting a key or paperclip across the terminals and see if the fans run.
Or try using the horn - I seem to recall later cars has one fan on the same circuit, earlier cars both fans.

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Fans running fine when I override. Haven't been able to check that they cut in when required though. Fairly certain coolant levels were fine. Just topped her up courtesy of the local pubs water supply. Shall I let her run up to temp whilst I'm waiting for rac?

Not sure where the otter switch is! Is it one of those two wired sensory looking things either side of the exhaust y piece

Podie

46,649 posts

301 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Digger said:
Fans running fine when I override. Haven't been able to check that they cut in when required though. Fairly certain coolant levels were fine. Just topped her up courtesy of the local pubs water supply. Shall I let her run up to temp whilst I'm waiting for rac?

Not sure where the otter switch is! Is it one of those two wired sensory looking things either side of the exhaust y piece
There's parking round the corner underground at cavendish square, if that helps?

No - those on the y piece are the lambdas, don't mess with them.

Podie

46,649 posts

301 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Otter switch is the radiator fan switch. Looks like a bolt with wires going into it

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
So. . . when I checked the levels just now prior to topping up, the vented expansion tank was empty presumably much of the contents was vented rather than leaked away?! Not sure on that.

The upper coolant reservoir needed roughly 2-300ml of coolant.

If the expansion tank runs low, is a symptom that steam will vent through the cap? I'm guessing it's something else but my knowledge is limited!

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Fans just kicked in so assume the otter is OK unless the fans kicked in randomly. Will wait and see if they fire up again. Dying for a pee!

Podie

46,649 posts

301 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Digger said:
Fans just kicked in so assume the otter is OK unless the fans kicked in randomly. Will wait and see if they fire up again. Dying for a pee!
Couple of pubs round the corner - The Old Explorer and The Phoenix - just off Margaret St.

miniman

29,656 posts

288 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Got to love PH. Repair advice, and directions to a boozer in case it's terminal hehe

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Outside the phoenix. I'm letting the car run up to temp. might be the wet weather but the temp gauge seems to be reading slightly lower, as in the fans are cutting in when it's reading 80 85ish whereas normally it's reading well over 90 when they fire up.

No more steam yet!

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
Oh well. Currently in the Phoenix awaiting flatbed. We couldn't tell if the coolant system is over pressurising or overheating so we've decided the best plan is for the rac to cart her back to Fernhurst in the morning. MOT due on the 6th and some warranty work needs doing so it's the sensible option methinks. Hey ho

Bonus is, is that I mentioned to the rac man I wanted to track down a bottle of wine before everything closed. He asked if I liked red or white. As a customer gave him a bottle of red earlier in the day. Top man! biggrin

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
I'm hoping it's not as bad as it seems. Apparently there is still the possibility of head gasket woes. I'll leave it to Fernies to investigate.

Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Sunday 2nd March 2014
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
If someone could turn around and tell me I'll have no more problems for the rest of the year. . .

I've half a mind to get Fernies to give me a valuation to buy her back! biggrin

I've still got the remainder of the two year warranty, so I reckon I should persevere. The thing is I know I'd regret getting rid . . .

Let's see.

Podie

46,649 posts

301 months

Monday 3rd March 2014
quotequote all
Well, it wasn't outside my office this morning so I assume you were recovered OK?


Digger

Original Poster:

16,494 posts

217 months

Monday 3rd March 2014
quotequote all
Yep she'll be with Fernhurst today. smile

V41LEY

3,007 posts

264 months

Monday 3rd March 2014
quotequote all
I had a similar issue years ago when I first bought the Chim. Eventually traced to an airlock in the rad which under running conditions
cause the temp to raise very high but never quite enough to boil over - probably because I never quite got stuck in traffic long enough.
Rad always seems topped up enough but obviously wasn't.
Refurbished rad solved the problem along with a thorough fan overhaul for peace of mind.
Hope all sorted soon.