Problem with swirl pot....

[john57]

Help ...... I've had my 99' Griff 500 for two weeks and just went out to drive it. I got about 1 mile before clouds of steam came from under the bonnet.

On looking it appears the swirl pot has a little split on the join half way down and a pin hole sized jet of coolant was coming out...... I noticed steam the other day but just thought it was water drying off on the bonnet after rain - maybe not!

Is replacing the swirl pot expensive ?

The temp gauge was only reading normal today and wasn't even up to full temperature. The other day I noticed it was just over 90 in heavy traffic but no steam..... have I caught it in time ?

The gauge hasn't showed anything other than normal to date and the car runs fine.

[starmist]

I think you've caught it in time. No damage done. I belive the swirl pots are quire rare, but it shouldn't be too difficult to get your rewelded. Just find a engineering jobbing shop that can tig weld ali.

[johno]

I'd also make sure the pressure in the system is not reaching more than normal say 12-15psi ... I doubt there is an issues, just a hole, but it is worth checking once you have the system put back together, as it may be a symptom of something else.

[david beer]

My pulley cut through my inlet when the engine mounts went, had it welded for a fiver. Interesting about the 12-15 psi Johno, is it that low ?

[johno]

david beer said:

My pulley cut through my inlet when the engine mounts went, had it welded for a fiver. Interesting about the 12-15 psi Johno, is it that low ?

I've cranked mine to 16psi and nothing has leaked incl. the cap which I understand is rated to 15psi ...

It really isn't much more than that for standard road cars ... race cars etc is a different world.

[john57]

Thanks for the replies..... the car has just gone away on a recovery truck to Austec for them to sort for me ........ here's hoping it won't take too long .....