Bubbles in my water ..........!

[Pete Mac]

Well I've just had some good news. Convinced I had a blown head gasket/slipped liner, as a final check I took the 'Green Meanie' to the Halfrauds and they used their 'sniffer' to check the presence of exhaust gases in the cooling water. There weren't any and he said that it was a very reliable test. To be fair to Halfrauds, he didn't charge me anything.

So, where are those fecking bubbles coming from when I try and bleed the system....?

Looks like a new radiator (any recommendations - I was going to use Aaron?) and the full suite of ACT hoses, including the stainless ones.

Any further tips? I have a screw-in funnel to the swirl tank to lift the level of the water and I fully open the heater valve etc. Maybe a new rad and hoses will make all the difference.

Pete

[Colin RedGriff]

Where are you seeing the bubbles?

Have you bled the radiator?

Are you losing any coolant?

[Pete Mac]

Colin RedGriff said:

Where are you seeing the bubbles?

Have you bled the radiator?

Are you losing any coolant?

Bubbles are in the funnel that I use to bleed the swirl tank. Having spoke to various, including Dom at TVR Power I have jumped to the conclusion it was the worst case (blown head gasket and/or slipped liner). I have tried to bleed the whole system, however Rad had a little leak, I assumed from pressure of a leaking head gasket. Yes I have been losing coolant but I assumed it was pressure in the system blowing past the pressure cap (new one of those as well...)

I've just ordered ACT silicone hoses (mine are getting old) and ACT stainless pipes (my steel ones are rusting). I will order new Rad on Monday (Aaron Radiators probably - I read a good article on them, unless anyone can advise otherwise....) and then I will spend a significant time bleeding the whole bleeding system, heater valve open etc.

My problem is I jumped to the wrong conclusion early and that has sent me off in the wrong direction, Pete

[Colin RedGriff]

I've got one of the Aaron rads and very happy with it. I did need to take a file to the mounts to stop it catching on the side and to help it sit on the mounts. Make sure you've got some rubber mounts for it to sit on and don't tigbten it up too much. Oh and don't throw your old bleed screw away, the new one has a screwdriver slot on it which is impossible to use when it is position.

[jimed]

I had a small leak round the valley gasket a couple of years ago - nothing much but annoying all the same so might be worth having a look. A bit awkward to see but looking down round the rear of the engine onto the gasket top it had a pool of water on it; later found to be where the gasket had been slightly carelessly fitted at one point. New gasket fitted and now sorted.
Jim

[Pete Mac]

Colin RedGriff said:

I've got one of the Aaron rads and very happy with it. I did need to take a file to the mounts to stop it catching on the side and to help it sit on the mounts. Make sure you've got some rubber mounts for it to sit on and don't tigbten it up too much. Oh and don't throw your old bleed screw away, the new one has a screwdriver slot on it which is impossible to use when it is position.

Colin, that's good recommendation and advice. It's funny, my current rad doesn't have a bleed screw....! This makes bleeding the system even harder. Pete