New Swirl Pot?

[SteveOS3]

I noticed steam coming from the front of the engine bay this afternoon. It appears to be coming from the bottom of the radiator. Whilst poking about I noticed a small bulge on the side of the swirl pot. I scraped it with a screwdriver and got a face full of coolant.....

The hole is right in the middle of an area that was wrapped by a large jubilee clip when I bought the car. As I couldn't see any reason for it I took it off last summer, I guess I know the reason now.

The hole is about 1mm in diameter. Question is where do I get a new one from or should I just re-attach the jubilee? there's always been a stain at the base of the pot so I guess it has been a long standing problem.

The bottom of the rad is rusty and maybe I should consider replacing that too. But where to but from?
Any advice appreciated - search down so can't look back in time for answers.

Cheers,

SteveO

[HvdWeerden]

Stainless one in classifieds, from the Gamekeeper !

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3806072.htm

[techbotics]

ACT do new ones in SS, alloy ones are also available.. But not sure where from since the loss of tvr car parts.

I have a good one powder coated black.. PM if interested..

cheers

Damian

[SteveOS3]

Took the pot off last night to inspect it and found the 'pinhole'....

It's about 5mm diameter. It was rusted from the inside out and only gave way when I poked it with a screwdriver.

Previously it had been masked by jubilee clip as per the markings around the hole.



I used a blowlamp to get all the old paint off and am having the hole welded up tonight. It looks like there has been a previous weld applied just down and to the right.

There was a lot of 'cracking' and splintering of loose flaky rust from the inside of the chamber when it was heated. It's been cleaned out but makes me wonder what state the rest of the system may be in.

I can't think of any other reason to drill the pot than to fit some kind of temp' sensor. Who knows?

Hopefully I'll get it fitted before Sunday as I'm planning to show it at the South Wales show in Pencoed.

SteveO

[thegamekeeper]

Steve, Rearrange these words into a popular phrase or saying. AROUND YOUR A**E CHASING. I gave you a price for a stainless swirl pot, you never said you wanted new head gaskets too. You are joking about going out in your car with that on it, Aren,t you?

[Gerald-TVR]

SteveOS3 said:

and am having the hole welded up tonight. It looks like there has been a previous weld applied just down and to the right.

There was a lot of 'cracking' and splintering of loose flaky rust from the inside of the chamber when it was heated. It's been cleaned out but makes me wonder what state the rest of the system may be in.

Not worth risking the rest of you cooling system with a repair. If its rusted through in one place and full of loose flaky rust I would consider it scrap. It needs replacing, I had one from Steve and was very pleased (he did advise me a little later that the clamps I was using on the small pipes needed replacing and then told me to line up all the clamps in a straight line so it looked better!!! He did admit to being a bit 'anal' when he gave me the advice!!!!)

Hi Steve

[HvdWeerden]

thegamekeeper said:

you never said you wanted new head gaskets too

+1

[phillpot]

......

[Top Gear TVR]

Looks like you caught this just in time.

ACT supplied a stainless one to me and are in the process of providing a another new one with an upgraded brass neck. Some of the stainless ones are a bit flimsy necked - but ACT are sorting this for me. Great customer service for me.

I wouldnt trust the old one welded or otherwise, if its rotten through in one place it'll be like chasing a fiesta cills all the way along till you find something strong enough to trust............

Waiting a few days and paying a few quid is better than the stress and divorce settlement that is head gaskets any day.

[Spathodus77]

I got my radiator refurbished by arrow radiators in melksham. From memory £200-ish for a new core. I live in the south so they picked the radiator up from my work and droped in back with no extra cost.

http://www.arrowrad.co.uk/

Ralph

[SteveOS3]

Gents, thanks for all your opinions.

To clarify the problem, the hole was not caused by corrosion, it had been drilled for some purpose. Filler was used in the hole, the pot painted and a rubber band and jubilee clip fitted around to seal it. When I took the clip off a year ago the paint hid the hole. It's only since the 'filler' started to bulge that I took it further and poked it, causing the leak.

I took the pot to my welder mate and got the job done. He has been restoring cars for decades and gve it a clean bill of health. As a backup I called in on a mechanic pal I've known since school and after lots of poking and tapping with a hammer he agreed it was fine, .

If I thought the hole had been caused by corrosion from the inside out I would have exactly the same opinion as you all.

I've repainted it and will be refitting tomorrow for testing.

Thanks again for the help.

Steve

Edited by SteveOS3 on Thursday 10th May 09:34

[GreenV8S]

SteveOS3 said:

To clarify the problem, the hole was not caused by corrosion, it had been drilled for some purpose.

That would be an extraordinary thing to do, and I'd need a lot of convincing to buy that explanation. If that's really what happened, you have to wonder what other areas of the car may have been mucked about.