Coolant Symptoms

[loadblower]

Ok, heres whats happening;

- Expansion tank level low, about 1/4 inch from bottom, although this is constant.

- Header tank 3/4 full

- Gurgling noise when I switch off engine

- Heater less effective when engine warms up and fans kick in

- Very minor drip below rad.

- Topped up by expansion tank, but 1L dissappeared in a week.

Had a look at previous discussions, but would greatly welcome comments on the above. Should I fear the dreaded head gasket?!?

Thanks all...

[JonRB]

Not necessarily.

Could be a leaking hose or a damaged rad.

Edit: I had a rad go because the fan blades were fouling it and it had chaffed through the core.
Needed a recore to sort that out.

>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 19th November 22:52

[ian8542]

First job would be to find out the cause of the leak, if the radiator is in anything but in A1 condition get it re-cored and pressure tested (about £110).
When re-filling the system use 50/50 antifreeze/water mix and follow the guidance given in Steve Heath's book. Make sure you open the heater control fully when filling/bleeding.
A leak from the rad will allow air in as well as coolant out.

[loadblower]

Heres a quick update.

Definitely have a leaking rad.

Just been through the refill process. Laods of air in the rad, bled it off and refilled from header tank. Incidentally, the header tank dropped to half full over the last couple of weeks.

Once everything was topped up, lost some water underneath the rad, but this eventually petered out. I've been seeing a small puddle on the garage floor, but nothing huge.

Ran the engine for a bit, fans cut in fine, but the heater inside only blew in cold air no matter what.

Off to check levels again in a bit...as well as oil. for signs of milkiness (please no!). Praying its just a rad problem.

Comments most welcome!

[ian8542]

Before you do anything else get the rad repaired otherwise you are wasting your time. Check the condition of it i.e the cooling fins between the core rows, if they look at all corroded or blocked, get it recored.
When you filled and bled the system did you turn the heater control wheel fully open?
Did you fill the expansion tank on the inner wing half full before starting to fill the system (done from the swirl tank)?
You should allow all air and bubbles to vent out of the bleed screw on the rad and then top up the swirl tank until the level does not drop below the top. Then screw the brass plug in and top the expansion tank up to the half way point.

[loadblower]

Thanks for the advice.

Went through all of those procedures. Got it booked in with Dave Batty to get the rad sorted, then see where I am.

Agreed, not worth mucking about with until radiator is sorted out! Probably excessively paranoid as well, having owned the car for a month and keeping my eyes and ears open to every noise, bump, etc!!!

Cheers for now.