Discussion
Hi all,
Checked the water levels yesterday and there was hardly any in the expansion tank so topped it up and went for a drive. I noticed that the temp was a bit erratic but was running at about 90 degrees which is a bit higher than I remember seeeeing in normal driving.
Checked water again today and expansion was empty. Topped it up, left it for an hour before deciding to give it a run. Came back to the car and reversed out of the garage and noticed a damp patch on the garage floor under the car on the front nearside.
Looking under the car while it idled in the drive water is dripping out of a hole under the nearside air scoop (T350) Feeling around the air scoop it is wet in there and water has pooled in the vent and is dripping through the hole (don't know if the hole is meant to be there or if it has worn through on a speed bump or something. Cant see water dripping from the rad but it did feel a bit damp.
So, have I got a knackered radiator? If so does it need to be trailered to a dealer or will it be ok to top it up and drive it there?
Could it be anything else?
Regards
John
Checked the water levels yesterday and there was hardly any in the expansion tank so topped it up and went for a drive. I noticed that the temp was a bit erratic but was running at about 90 degrees which is a bit higher than I remember seeeeing in normal driving.
Checked water again today and expansion was empty. Topped it up, left it for an hour before deciding to give it a run. Came back to the car and reversed out of the garage and noticed a damp patch on the garage floor under the car on the front nearside.
Looking under the car while it idled in the drive water is dripping out of a hole under the nearside air scoop (T350) Feeling around the air scoop it is wet in there and water has pooled in the vent and is dripping through the hole (don't know if the hole is meant to be there or if it has worn through on a speed bump or something. Cant see water dripping from the rad but it did feel a bit damp.
So, have I got a knackered radiator? If so does it need to be trailered to a dealer or will it be ok to top it up and drive it there?
Could it be anything else?
Regards
John
If you've been running the air-con, it could be condensation from that.
If it's been wet, it could be a run-off point for the water.
...But if you've had to refill the expansion tank twice in a day or so and the temperatures are noticeably higher... I think the problem's probably self evident! ;-) T350 radiators aren't great - I was up to my third, with each one going after 2-3 years, so that's not unheard of. Think they're about £600 plus fitting if it can't be patched up? (Very rough figure from memory) It could, of course, be just some hosing/similar that's split. Or it could be getting airlocks via some convoluted means and throwing some water out. (Expect you'd see this around the top of the expansion tank, though)
In terms of driving it - if it overheats, you'll be risking your head gasket, etc. If you can fill it up properly and get it to the garage before it's heated up, etc. then driving it will likely be fine. Depends how far it is to your local garage, and the kind of traffic you'll encounter! When mine went, I drove it about 80 miles... but that was all pottering on the motorway at 50-70 down to the last 300 yards or so and it wasn't leaking much at all, so it never heated up fully.
If you've got AA/RAC cover, you could just use them as a delivery service...
If it's been wet, it could be a run-off point for the water.
...But if you've had to refill the expansion tank twice in a day or so and the temperatures are noticeably higher... I think the problem's probably self evident! ;-) T350 radiators aren't great - I was up to my third, with each one going after 2-3 years, so that's not unheard of. Think they're about £600 plus fitting if it can't be patched up? (Very rough figure from memory) It could, of course, be just some hosing/similar that's split. Or it could be getting airlocks via some convoluted means and throwing some water out. (Expect you'd see this around the top of the expansion tank, though)
In terms of driving it - if it overheats, you'll be risking your head gasket, etc. If you can fill it up properly and get it to the garage before it's heated up, etc. then driving it will likely be fine. Depends how far it is to your local garage, and the kind of traffic you'll encounter! When mine went, I drove it about 80 miles... but that was all pottering on the motorway at 50-70 down to the last 300 yards or so and it wasn't leaking much at all, so it never heated up fully.
If you've got AA/RAC cover, you could just use them as a delivery service...
I bought one last weekend at autosport from radtec normal price is 399+vat plus fitting. They were £100 off at the show.
I don't need one yet but it was late Sunday and I had a bit of a deal with them so will change mine before it goes.
Might be worth contacting them to see if they will do a deal. After all everybody is struggling at the moment.
I don't need one yet but it was late Sunday and I had a bit of a deal with them so will change mine before it goes.
Might be worth contacting them to see if they will do a deal. After all everybody is struggling at the moment.
I have just had a custom made copper and brass radiator made for my Tamora. It is about half as heavy again as the existing radiator but the existing radiator weighs so little the weight difference is that between getting in the car before or after lunch.
I am aware they are different radiators but I don't think they are that different, and mine was £300 including VAT. £800 seems very steep.
I fitted it myself, not too difficult and took about 3 hours to get the old one out and the new one in and topped up. The tricky bit was getting the fluids out and back in, other than that a pair of axle stands and some coarse language was all that was required.
If it is a leak and would like the details of the place let me know.
I am aware they are different radiators but I don't think they are that different, and mine was £300 including VAT. £800 seems very steep.
I fitted it myself, not too difficult and took about 3 hours to get the old one out and the new one in and topped up. The tricky bit was getting the fluids out and back in, other than that a pair of axle stands and some coarse language was all that was required.
If it is a leak and would like the details of the place let me know.
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff