OVERHEATING CORTINA!!!!!!!
Discussion
Before I go totally insane I need some assistance with a problem on my Cortina,
I have a 1981 2.0GL Cortina (pinto engine). It has developed a problem whereby it overheats from cold and to the extent it throws all of its coolant out but when refilled it sorts itself out and is fine for the rest of the day but the problem then reappears the next day.
I have replaced the thermostat twice, radiator, rad cap, checked heater matrix for leaks, water pump changed twice, head gasket, had every hose off to check for leaks. And this is the depressing bit! I concluded it was a crack in the block or head so I have totally rebuilt a spare engine including a recondtioned head!!!!!! BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS! It overheated after 3 miles on warm up, the heater was on and working but when checking the hose temperatures the matrix hoses were hot anf the rad and top and bottom hoses were cold.
When bleeding the system (from empty) tonight after changine the water pump again it did its usual trick of pushing out a good 4 litres of coolant before the system flowed and bled through. I have never had a problem like this before with a cooling system! The only things not replaced on the cooling system is 1)the heater matrix, 2) Inlet manifold, 3)the auto choke and 4)hoses.
I am absolutley stumped by this problem on a basic engine! Any ideas?
I have a 1981 2.0GL Cortina (pinto engine). It has developed a problem whereby it overheats from cold and to the extent it throws all of its coolant out but when refilled it sorts itself out and is fine for the rest of the day but the problem then reappears the next day.
I have replaced the thermostat twice, radiator, rad cap, checked heater matrix for leaks, water pump changed twice, head gasket, had every hose off to check for leaks. And this is the depressing bit! I concluded it was a crack in the block or head so I have totally rebuilt a spare engine including a recondtioned head!!!!!! BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS! It overheated after 3 miles on warm up, the heater was on and working but when checking the hose temperatures the matrix hoses were hot anf the rad and top and bottom hoses were cold.
When bleeding the system (from empty) tonight after changine the water pump again it did its usual trick of pushing out a good 4 litres of coolant before the system flowed and bled through. I have never had a problem like this before with a cooling system! The only things not replaced on the cooling system is 1)the heater matrix, 2) Inlet manifold, 3)the auto choke and 4)hoses.
I am absolutley stumped by this problem on a basic engine! Any ideas?
Genuine stat or a cheapie?
Some pattern stats are wrong. Used to be an issue with the Ford V6 3 litre, no air bleed hole in the stat meant the car would happily boil over on tickover! Same problem with the Rover V8, no hole = instant overheating.
Air gets stuck behind the stat preventing water getting to it & heating it. The bleed hole - often fitted with a y-shaped jiggle pin - allows the air to pass. Would also make the system virtually impossible to bleed.
Some pattern stats are wrong. Used to be an issue with the Ford V6 3 litre, no air bleed hole in the stat meant the car would happily boil over on tickover! Same problem with the Rover V8, no hole = instant overheating.
Air gets stuck behind the stat preventing water getting to it & heating it. The bleed hole - often fitted with a y-shaped jiggle pin - allows the air to pass. Would also make the system virtually impossible to bleed.
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 17th November 10:31
Did you own the car at any time before this problem started to manifest and if so what if anything got changed that might have caused it? I would suspect the actual routing of the hoses which may have inadvertantly ended up in a configuration where water is not flowing in the directions it ought to be. Maybe because there is now some sort of bypass route for it to go down or perhaps because a high point in the hose run is acting as an air pocket.
You could also try just removing the stat altogether to see if this is causing it.
Clearly water is flowing through the heater matrix but not through the rad. It shouldn't be that hard to diagnose.
You could also try just removing the stat altogether to see if this is causing it.
Clearly water is flowing through the heater matrix but not through the rad. It shouldn't be that hard to diagnose.
OK I am a comlpete COCK! Thermostat in wrong way round!!!!
It has been like it since I bought car in July. The car has always overheated to a certain extent but I did notice the rubber seal on the radiator cap was missing and the cap was leaking, along with the radiator. I replaced the radiator and cap and thats where the problem worsened.
I replaced the thermostat twice and honestly didnt notice it was in back to front! I cant believe I missed it to such an extent I rebuilt a complete engine!!!!
The previous owner must have replaced the stat the wrong way around and compensted the pressurising by removing the rubber seal on the cap.
Thank you for your assistance in this, I just think I got stuck into the more complex faults before addressing the basics. At least I have another good spare 2.0 Pinto!!!! COCK!
It has been like it since I bought car in July. The car has always overheated to a certain extent but I did notice the rubber seal on the radiator cap was missing and the cap was leaking, along with the radiator. I replaced the radiator and cap and thats where the problem worsened.
I replaced the thermostat twice and honestly didnt notice it was in back to front! I cant believe I missed it to such an extent I rebuilt a complete engine!!!!
The previous owner must have replaced the stat the wrong way around and compensted the pressurising by removing the rubber seal on the cap.
Thank you for your assistance in this, I just think I got stuck into the more complex faults before addressing the basics. At least I have another good spare 2.0 Pinto!!!! COCK!
enjoy your Tina.Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff